The lines idea seems a little similar to what the NASL (the defunct soccer
league that brought Pele to the U.S.)  They changed the off-side line from
being the center line to being at about the 35 yard line.  Instead of the
defense coming up to the center line and compressing the field, the
offense could force the defense to spread out back into their own zone,
opening up the field to more passing.

The other idea the NASL had was to give points beyond wins and ties.
They gave points to either team for goals scored up to three.  This
encouraged continued offense on both teams part, something that soccer
currently sorely lacks and sometimes the NHL lacks [obligatory hockey
content].

Doug Peterson

On 22 Jun 2005 at 19:50, Clay Satow wrote:

re: Lines

I don't think that he was talking about the center line.  One of the
more radical changes proposed for the NHL was actually suggested by
Sinden and I believe Mike O'Connell.  It essentially did away with tbe
blue line.  There was a line about midway between the faceoff circle
and where the blue line used to be.  Once you cleared that line, you
could pass it anywhere, even down to the other teams goal, and there
was no blue line offside.  It seemed to me that it invites "cherry
picking" which I think is boring, but it makes it virtually impossible
to trap.

Looking forward to finding out where we'll convene for future Hockey_L
dinners.