Why doesn't the NHL allow teams to dress up to 23 players?

[canuckslover10]

I never understood why teams can't dress 22-23 players it wouldn't have an effect on the cap and teams who are below the cap would be rewarded as they could run more players and this would create situations where more guys would be in the league as you could afford to have PK and PP specialist.

Also seems ideal for a potential 84 game season as this probably reduces injuries as players would be able to rest more or just have lower ice times.

So is there any reason why this hasn't happened?

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[StreetHawk]

I never understood why teams can't dress 22-23 players it wouldn't have an effect on the cap and teams who are below the cap would be rewarded as they could run more players and this would create situations where more guys would be in the league as you could afford to have PK and PP specialist.

Also seems ideal for a potential 84 game season as this probably reduces injuries as players would be able to rest more or just have lower ice times.

So is there any reason why this hasn't happened?

Not every team carries 23 player, plus not all 23 players are actually available. Short term injury (non IR) with a bone bruise or flu don't require IR (out a week). Also, don't think the benches are designed to fit more than the 14 players who are not on the ice.

Same reason the NFL has a 53 man roster but only 47 dress for a game.

 

[canuckslover10]

Not every team carries 23 player, plus not all 23 players are actually available. Short term injury (non IR) with a bone bruise or flu don't require IR (out a week). Also, don't think the benches are designed to fit more than the 14 players who are not on the ice.

Same reason the NFL has a 53 man roster but only 47 dress for a game.

Yea but teams should be able to carry 23 man rosters if they are all healthy and as for the bench they could just extend them. I'm saying there should be a minimum of 18 dressed but if a team is capable they should be allowed to dress up to 23 players.

 

[tarheelhockey]

If anything they need to dress fewer players. Half the game is no-name scrubs dumping and chasing each other until the worthwhile players come back, skate for 45 seconds, and leave again. The last thing we need is PK specialists with no other talent who exist only to suppress the part of the game where goals are likely to be scored.

 

[canuckslover10]

If anything they need to dress fewer players. Half the game is no-name scrubs dumping and chasing each other until the worthwhile players comeback. The last thing we need is PK specialists with no other talent who exist only to suppress the part of the game where goals are likely to be scored.

I mean you could also have PP specialist where their only job is to score, there is a lot of talent in the world now it would be good for the league to have them play.

 

[jigglysquishy]

Every additional player on the ice is less time for star players. Why are we proposing taking time away from McDavid and Kucherov so the 13th forward can play?

If anything we should be shrinking rosters and getting stars more minutes.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I mean you could also have PP specialist where their only job is to score, there is a lot of talent in the world now it would be good for the league to have them play.

There are plenty of PP specialists in the league already. Nobody’s missing the ones who are outside the league because of being useless in other phases of the game. Name a few guys who would take these roster spots and the thread will die fast.

 

[StreetHawk]

There are plenty of PP specialists in the league already. Nobody’s missing the ones who are outside the league because of being useless in other phases of the game. Name a few guys who would take these roster spots and the thread will die fast.

Plus most players are not able to produce after sitting on the bench for 1/3 or 1/2 a period. To just join a PP unit. Taking a PS sure, but players want to be into the flow of a game.

 

[Rubi]

Lack of bench space in most arenas?

 

[LuGBuG]

I always wondered about 24 players

 

[HairyKneel]

There are plenty of PP specialists in the league already. Nobody’s missing the ones who are outside the league because of being useless in other phases of the game. Name a few guys who would take these roster spots and the thread will die fast.

Yeah I definitely don't agree with the OP. But shrinking the rosters is totally silly.

Every additional player on the ice is less time for star players. Why are we proposing taking time away from McDavid and Kucherov so the 13th forward can play?

If anything we should be shrinking rosters and getting stars more minutes.

You got the first part right. Shrinking rosters isn't an option. It's not basketball.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I never understood why teams can't dress 22-23 players it wouldn't have an effect on the cap and teams who are below the cap would be rewarded as they could run more players and this would create situations where more guys would be in the league as you could afford to have PK and PP specialist.

Also seems ideal for a potential 84 game season as this probably reduces injuries as players would be able to rest more or just have lower ice times.

So is there any reason why this hasn't happened?

Was thinking this the other day, as it really sucks to lose a guy mid-game AND have to juggle the lines as a result. They have spare dudes, just let ‘em sub in for injuries. I can’t really think of a logical reason why it wouldn’t be allowed, it just isn’t.

If anything they need to dress fewer players. Half the game is no-name scrubs dumping and chasing each other until the worthwhile players come back, skate for 45 seconds, and leave again. The last thing we need is PK specialists with no other talent who exist only to suppress the part of the game where goals are likely to be scored.

..so you want hockey to be entirely different from how it’s always been. Might I suggest soccer? Football? Highlights only? I feel like OP is suggesting a minor tweak that arguably could improve the game. You seem to want to change a fundamental part of the game, shifts and 4 lines, and I’m not really sure what to make of that. 3ice maybe?

 

[tarheelhockey]

Yeah I definitely don't agree with the OP. But shrinking the rosters is totally silly.

Why? Cut it back by four. Lose the 4th line and one defenseman.

Have actual quality players on the ice at all times. Give fans a fighting chance at recognizing them without having to consult hockeydb. Shift lengths likely get a little longer, which means the game slows down, which means you see a lot more passing and a lot more shifty moves and stick work rather than north-south sprinting all the time. Fewer full-speed collisions, fewer injuries. Guys get tired, guys lose track of their assignments, highlight plays result.

I realize it’s not an option with the CBA, but the game quality would be better off.

 

[Hospy]

If anything they need to dress fewer players. Half the game is no-name scrubs dumping and chasing each other until the worthwhile players come back, skate for 45 seconds, and leave again. The last thing we need is PK specialists with no other talent who exist only to suppress the part of the game where goals are likely to be scored.

I might be in the distinct minority here, but I enjoy having no-name scrubs in the game because it exposes the difference in coaching ability and shift management.

Also for the butt puckering moments when your scrubs are hemmed in their zone on a long shift trying to survive against the other team's top lines. I might not enjoy watching it happen but it makes for good entertainment if they make it out alive.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I might be in the distinct minority here, but I enjoy having no-name scrubs in the game because it exposes the difference in coaching ability and shift management.

Also for the butt puckering moments when your scrubs are hemmed in their zone on a long shift trying to survive against the other team's top lines. I might not enjoy watching it happen but it makes for good entertainment if they make it out alive.

I’d find it more entertaining if the NHL-style game punished these guys more for being unable to keep up. What we get most of the time is uncalled infractions and prevent defense, so maybe you get a decent shot or two but it’s rarely a turning point in the game.

Compare to sports like football and basketball where putting a scrub up against a superstar is not only going to lead to points on the board, but also get your team embarrassed on YouTube.

Some of this is just a hockey issue, it’s a low scoring game by nature. But some of it is the NHL not holding a firm line on obstruction penalties, and giving players very little space to show off pure skill (as compared to speed and size) which is what really separates scrubs from stars.