2005 - 06 Rules

The following rules will be in effect for the AHL’s 2005-06 season:

• The neutral-zone edge of the blue lines will be moved four feet towards center ice, creating 64-foot attack zones and reducing the neutral zone to 50 feet. The goal lines will remain 11 feet from the end boards, as per the AHL’s 2004-05 rules.
   

• The blue lines and center red line will each be 12 inches in width. The AHL had played with 24-inch lines in 2004-05.
   

• “Two-line passes” will be permitted; a pass from behind the defensive blue line across the center red line will be considered legal.
   

• “Touch” icing will be reinstated. Linesmen will have the discretion to wave off an apparent icing violation if it is deemed to be the result of an attempted pass. A team that is guilty of an icing violation will be prohibited from making a line change prior to the ensuing faceoff.
   

• “Tagging up” on delayed offside situations will continue to be permitted, as per the AHL’s 2004-05 rules.
   

• A shootout will follow regular-season games which are tied after a five-minute overtime period. The shootout format (five shooters aside) will remain the same as the AHL’s 2004-05 system.
   

• A penalty for instigating in the final five minutes of regulation or in overtime will carry an automatic game misconduct, an automatic one-game suspension and fines to the coach and team of the offending player. Punishments will double with each subsequent offense.
   

• The dimensions of goaltender equipment will be reduced per the National Hockey League’s directives. In addition to a one-inch reduction (to 11 inches) in the width of leg pads, there will be reductions in the maximum size of the blocking glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey.
   

• The goaltender puck-handling zone will continue to be enforced, as per the AHL’s 2004-05 rules.
   

• The Board rejected a motion to institute a penalty for delay of game against any player who shoots the puck directly over the glass in his defending zone.

New Rules for '04-'05

The Annual Meeting also resulted in the following announcements:

• The AHL has implemented a shootout to decide regular-season games which are tied after a five-minute overtime period. In the AHL standings, teams will receive two points for a win, one point for a loss in overtime or in a shootout and zero points for a loss in regulation time.
   

• The AHL has reduced the number of qualifying teams for the Calder Cup 2005 Playoffs to 16 (from 20). The format will still feature a divisional playoff, leading to conference finals and ultimately the Calder Cup Final. The top four teams from each division will qualify for the postseason, and all rounds will feature best-of-seven series.

AHL RULE CHANGES:

The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors has approved the implementation of the following rule changes, effective beginning with the 2004-05 season:

• In a delayed offside situation, the offending player(s) will be permitted to negate the offside by “tagging up” with the blue line. This rule was in effect from 1986-96 and will enable more flow in the forechecking aspect of the game while reducing the number of stoppages.
   

• “Automatic icing” has been implemented, with icing infractions to be called and the play whistled dead when the puck crosses the goal line.
   

• Goal lines will be moved from 13 feet to 11 feet out from the end boards, and blue lines will be moved back accordingly to maintain a 60-foot attacking zone. This will increase the size of the neutral zone and reduce play behind the goals.
   

• The width of the blue lines and the center red line will be increased from 12 inches to 24 inches each, and passes will be permitted from the defensive edge of one blue line to the offensive edge of the other blue line, adding additional space to the neutral zone
   

• The maximum width of goaltenders’ leg pads will be reduced from 12 inches to 10 inches, creating additional scoring area for shooters.
   

• The AHL will also implement, for the first seven weeks of the 2004-05 regular season, a limited test of a rule restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck. This is a step designed to increase offensive opportunities without wholly eliminating a goaltender’s ability to assist his defensemen. 

Following the completion of the test period, the AHL will evaluate the results and determine whether the rule’s application will continue.

The AHL "Veteran's Rule" states that if 16 skaters are dressed for the game, at least 10 must have played not more than 260 games in the NHL, IHL, AHL or European Elite Leagues combined, prior to the start of the season.

If 17 players are used 11 have to be non-vets; if 18 players are used 12 have to be non-vets. Players on loan from the NHL for 2 week conditioning periods are not affected by this rule.

There is a one player per team exemption for a player who has played more than 450 games in the AHL (this may be changed to include IHL games). If he plays, he does not affect the 6 other Vets. In effect, 7 vets can play. (Rule 15A)

These rules apply to game rosters. Technically, there is no limit to the number of players (even Vets) a team can have on their roster. The only thing is  they won't be able to play more than 6 Veterans (plus the Exemption) and some vets would have to be scratched for the game.

Ever wondered how the waiver rules work?  Here's a basic explanation: 

Any player who has played three seasons since signing his first NHL contract or has played 180 NHL games must clear waivers before he is assigned to a minor league affiliate.

 Once a player is placed on waivers, teams have 48 hours to put in a claim on that player. If more than one team places a claim, the team with the lower number of points in the previous season is awarded the player. If no team places a claim, the player can be sent to a minor league affiliate.

When a player clears waivers and is sent down then is called up again, he would not have to clear waivers to be sent down again unless he's played 10 games or been "up" for 30 days. 

Playoff Roster Rule
Only those players listed on a team's clear day roster are eligible to compete in the remaining three weeks of the AHL regular season and in the Calder Cup 2003 Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of recall, injury or suspension.  (See Clear Day, as well)

'04-'05 Goalies Playing the Puck

During the test, AHL goalies will only be permitted to play pucks behind the net that are within the "restricted area."

Details of Rule Test

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH......Clear Day? (Conn Post)

Anyone placed on waivers Tuesday at 3 p.m., the deadline for NHL teams to get down to 23 men for the last time, would clear waivers today. Hence, "clear day."

Once those machinations shake out, all AHL teams must, by 3 p.m. today, submit their 22-man rosters for the remainder of the season. That's 20 skaters and two goalies in any combination desired.

After today, teams are supposed to be in emergency ...have a goalie hurt or on recall, or have three skaters hurt or on recall....to use someone not on their list. However, unsigned draft picks of an NHL parent club may sign amateur tryouts and play. 

For example: Exceptions would be players joining the team after their junior seasons have ended, and anyone on an ATO or a PTO.

Tiebreaker Rules for Playoff Seedings

Following are the tiebreaking procedures in the event of a tie in the standings following the completion of the regular season on Sunday.

When a tie among three or more teams is broken resulting in a two-team tie, the original tiebreaking procedures are used.

Between two teams:
a) wins
b) wins in season series between tied teams
c) goal differential
d) goals scored in season series between tied teams
e) intraconference record

Among three or more teams:
a) wins
b) points percentage in season series among tied teams
c) goal differential
d) goal differential in season series among tied teams
e) intraconference record
 

RFAs UFAs - 
Group II (restricted) free agents
Players whose teams retain the right to match contract
offers or receive compensation. If they sign with another team, their former team is entitled to compensation. 

Group III free agents
Players 31 years and older who are not under contract and free to accept offers. 

Group IV unrestricted free agents
Players who have completed 10 pro seasons or more (NHL or minors) and earned less than the league average salary and received a timely qualifying offer. These players have the right to elect once in their careers to become unrestricted free agents. 
Unrestricted free agents (no qualifying offer)

Players who were not tendered a qualifying offer and are therefore
unrestricted free agents not subject to a right to match or draft choice compensation. 

Group VI unrestricted free agents
Players who are age 25 or older, have completed three or more professional seasons and in the case of a player other than a goaltender have played fewer than 80 NHL games (regular-season and playoff), or in the case of a goaltender have played fewer than 28 NHL games (regular-season and playoff).