What Is The NHL Trapezoid Rule?

The NHL trapezoid rule is a rule that limits where a goaltender can play the puck behind the net.

What is the trapezoid rule?

The trapezoid rule is a rule in the National Hockey League (NHL) that restricts where a goaltender can play the puck. The rule was introduced before the 2005–06 NHL season after Swede Mats Sundin scored on a breakaway from his own goal line. It is also informally referred to as “The Brodeur Rule”, after New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, who was one of the most affected players by its implementation.

How did the trapezoid rule come about?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur popularized a style of play known as the “butterfly”, in which the goaltender drops to the ice and throws out his leg pads to cover the lower part of the net. This style was very effective, and other goalies soon began to copy it.

The butterfly style had a profound effect on the game of hockey, as it allowed goalies to cover more of the net and make save after save. However, it also had a negative effect on offenses, as it made it more difficult for players to score goals. In response to this, the NHL implemented a rule change prior to the 2005-06 season which limited how far goalies could roam from their creases. This rule is known as the “trapezoid rule”.

Under the trapezoid rule, goaltenders are only allowed to play the puck behind their own net if they are within a specified trapezoidal area. If they leave this area, they are not allowed to touch the puck with their stick until an opposing player has touched it first. This rule was implemented in order to increase offensive opportunities and scoring chances.

The trapezoid rule has been controversial since its inception. Some believe that it takes away from goaltenders’ abilities to impact the game, while others believe that it makes hockey more exciting and entertaining for fans. Whatever your opinion on the matter, there is no denying that the trapezoid rule has had a significant impact on the game of hockey.

What are the benefits of the trapezoid rule?

The trapezoid rule is a set of guidelines that restrict where a goaltender can play the puck behind the net in order to reduce the number of goaltender interference penalties. Goaltenders are allowed to play the puck anywhere behind the net, but when they do so, they must stay within the outlined area. The area is called the “trapezoid” because of its shape.

The rule was introduced prior to the 2003-04 NHL season as a way to open up the game and allow for more offensive opportunities. Before the rule was put in place, goaltenders were often able to use their stick and body to corral opposing forwards away from the puck, which led to many stoppages in play. The new rule forced goaltenders to make quicker decisions and also limited their ability to stop plays before they even started.

Many people have argued that the trapezoid rule has had a negative impact on the game of hockey. They believe that it has led to more goals being scored on plays that would otherwise have been stopped if the goaltender could have played the puck freely. There is also concern that it has Vaughned out goaltenders who are not able to take full advantage of their skillset. However, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.

Are there any drawbacks to the trapezoid rule?

The trapezoid rule has generally been well-received by NHL goaltenders, as it gives them a little more room to move behind the net and play the puck. However, there are a couple of drawbacks to the rule.

First, the rule can lead to more delays of game penalties, as goaltenders are sometimes slow to get back into the net after playing the puck. Second, the rule can create artificial dead areas on the ice, as goaltenders are less likely to play the puck in areas where they are not allowed to go.