Will the 1-3-1 trap be the death of the NHL?

[Por_sha911]

Anyone watch the Tampa/Philly 1st period snoozefest with 10 elite hockey players literally standing still staring at each other. I suspect that Sominex stock dropped by the end of the period.. You gotta admit, too much of that and TV ratings will drop faster than a Jordan Tootoo dive.

So what do you think? Is there any difference between last night's 1-3-1 from what other teams (NJ) have done for years? Should the NHL make a rule to prevent teams from doing what Philly did?

[1990C4S]

Not a problem until someone actually wins something by playing that way. I have long advocated a rule stating 'no more than four men in the neutral zone when you are on defence', but it will never happen. This would kill the trap and the 1-3-1.

The referees handled it properly, blow the play down and have a face-off. Next step will be delay of game penalties for failing to attack. that will cure it. Philly was making a spectacle last night. Patrick Roy did the same thing last year (but for much longer) in the QMJHL.

[Por_sha911]

But can the ref legally call a delay of game? The possession team has to keep the puck moving so they could just go around in circles... There isn't a rule that says you have to attack. If there was, then playing 4 corners to burn time in a PK would become illegal. What rule are they breaking?
P.S. Notice I mentioned Tootoo's (from my state of TN) diving rather than the Canucks?

[rattlsnak]

I just read a big article on that in SI. Very interesting technique, although boring to watch!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

But can the ref legally call a delay of game? The possession team has to keep the puck moving so they could just go around in circles... There isn't a rule that says you have to attack. If there was, then playing 4 corners to burn time in a PK would become illegal. What rule are they breaking?

(The NHL has an excellent on-line rulebook) They are breaking rule 63 'Delaying The Game', specifically 63.1:

63.1 Delaying the Game – A player or a team may be penalized when, in the opinion of the Referee, is delaying the game in any manner.

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

P.S. Notice I mentioned Tootoo's (from my state of TN) diving rather than the Canucks?

Tootoo is actually from Manitoba, although he grew up in Rankin Inlet. He plays for Nashville.

[1990C4S]

And Tampa Bay is tied for seventh worst goals against in the league.

Would you emulate their strategy?

2011-12 NHL Hockey Stats and League Leaders - Scoring - National Hockey League - ESPN

[Vonzipper]

Coaches have way too much impact on the game, I think the day's of run and gun are long gone, I'm surprised the greats of the game don't say something

[flatbutt]

Trapping isn't really delaying the game as in falling on the puck purposefully or shooting it over the glass. But it could be a "failure to advance the puck" kind of rule. Maybe a mod to the icing rule?

[Jeff Alton]

NO requirement to pursue the puck, but there is a requirement to move the puck..... TB made for some pretty boring hockey in front of the home town fans.....

Laviolette (sp?) looked like a whining idiot essentially saying he was going to take his ball (puck) home because he did not like how the other team played.

The owners pay the coaches to out coach the other team, TB won that battle on this night and Laviolette, though I am glad he was pissed, lost the battle. The coach needs to coach a system that will beat that form of defence....

Cheers

[Roosterrusek]

NO, Philly was not the spectacle, the Bolts were! You are supposed to GO after the puck not sit back like some sissy team. Philly called them out and it was hilarious watching the whole Philly bench MOCKING Tampa for not being hockey players. While Tampa ended up winning, THAT is not how hockey should be played and it was pathetic...

BTW, things similar to this, like the Devils play are exactly why the clutching and grabbing were finally slammed down on and called for interference.

Pronger was right to call them out and most hockey players agree.

[Roosterrusek]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

(The NHL has an excellent on-line rulebook) They are breaking rule 63 'Delaying The Game', specifically 63.1:

63.1 Delaying the Game – A player or a team may be penalized when, in the opinion of the Referee, is delaying the game in any manner.



Tootoo is actually from Manitoba, although he grew up in Rankin Inlet. He plays for Nashville.

...delaying the game, you mean like failing to press the puck?

[Jeff Alton]

Again, no rule requiring persuit of the puck.... Yes that is how we were taught and makes for a far faster paced entertaining game.

I agree, it makes for poor entertainment, crappy hockey and threatens a return to the dead puck era, which nobody should want, but the rule book allows a team to wait for the team with the puck to attack.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Would you emulate their strategy?

TB got to game 7 of the 2010-2011 Conference finals with that strategy and NJ had a lot of massively boring but successful years using the trap (along with Brodeur's highly technical but boring style of play).

There are two opposing forces at work here. On the one hand, teams want to win by any means. On the other hand, they want to have a loyal fan base. The question is which one is the more important? To the players, winning. To the bean counters, profits. The Bruins had a very loyal fan base for 39 years between winning the cup. I think it was because they played "Big Bad Bruin" exciting hockey even when they played the trap.

[Roosterrusek]

Here's what one rather respected player had to say about it....and he nails it, there's too much talent in the league for anyone to play this way.

Zetterberg on Tampa Bay's trap: 'Hilarious'

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

On the one hand, teams want to win by any means. On the other hand, they want to have a loyal fan base. The question is which one is the more important? To the players, winning. To the bean counters, profits.

This depends almost entirely where a team is located. In the Southern US you need to play exciting hockey and you need to win in order to pull fans in. In most Canadian and original six cities you could ice an AHL team and sell out.

Players want to play up and down end to end 9-8 hockey. There is no talented player in the league advocating trap hockey and 1-0 wins. That comes from coaches.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Trapping isn't really delaying the game as in falling on the puck purposefully or shooting it over the glass. But it could be a "failure to advance the puck" kind of rule. Maybe a mod to the icing rule?

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Again, no rule requiring persuit of the puck.... Yes that is how we were taught and makes for a far faster paced entertaining game.

I agree, it makes for poor entertainment, crappy hockey and threatens a return to the dead puck era, which nobody should want, but the rule book allows a team to wait for the team with the puck to attack.

What Jeff said. The (present day) interpretation of the rule is a requirement to 'advance the puck', there is no need for a new rule. Although as presently worded 63.1 can be re-worked very quickly to cover any 'delay' scenario.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Players want to play up and down end to end 9-8 hockey. There is no talented player in the league advocating trap hockey and 1-0 wins. That comes from coaches.

Except the goalies!

[Por_sha911]

I agree that the trap makes for boring hockey and no talented player wants to play that system. Unfortunately, it has been successful for several teams. I think that Laviolette "or however you pronounce (and spell) it" became the troll to get the issue to the forefront. Now it remains to be seen whether the league will create some knee-jerk stupid rule that could cause more harm than good.
To be honest, I was leery of the "new" rules after the lockout but it they did create a more exciting game. I just hope they don't continue to wussify it.
Speaking of which, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE that Sid Crosby can be on the All-Star ballot when he hasn't played one minute since January? Sheesh

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Except the goalies!

Speaking for myself I disagree. As a goalie I HATED quiet games. I played best when I was continually challenged.

[Por_sha911]

I will grant you that if the game is too quiet it is a challenge for a goalie to stay engaged but, a 9-8 win for the team still sucks for the winning goalie's GAA and Save %.