I'll be interested to hear what you think of the "new" NHL.
Short version: I think they're taking the heart out of the game. I hate the new instigator rule. Fighting in the last five minutes of a game isn't, in and of itself, a bad thing especially if you're trying to protect your skilled players. Fighting for the hell of it I've never liked, but there are times when you just have to drop the gloves.
I like the tag-up offsides. It helps the game flow a little better. I detest the new goalie rules. If the goalie wants to handle the puck, let him handle the puck anywhere on the ice he wants. It limits some pretty, pretty plays, and penalizes goalies who are good puck-handlers. Ron Hextall wouldn't have been half the 'tender he was if he had to follow these rules.
Trying to stop the interference is like trying to stop the earth from turning. It's not gonna happen. Hockey is a contact sport. A player is frequently going to incidentally interfere with another player. It's not deliberate and shouldn't be called. There's got to be some common sense, and right now the officials are calling everything they see. Yes, I know it's zero tolerance, but give me a break. I don't like this particular bright line at all.
Shootouts = good. It adds excitement, and doesn't seem to offend a lot of people.
Er, if this was short, I'm going to hate to see my long version when I actually *think* about these things.