Hockey: Technology power play

Changes to offside penalties have been floated. Photo by: GETTY IMAGES

The technology, which used RFID tags in the backs of jerseys and in the puck, collected real-time data such as player’s location, ice time, speed and distance skated, as well as the speed and direction of the puck.

Part of the league’s evaluation continues to lie with the technology and its implementation. The speed of the game and unpredictability of the puck’s movements slowed the league’s efforts in the past, but recent improvements in RFID and optical tracking, as well as with machine learning and artificial intelligence, have moved the tracking technology forward.

The NHL strongly believes in furthering its digital footprint, and player and puck tracking would play a large role. Plans would likely include live graphics in broadcasts with overlaid statistics and metrics, the enhancement of the league’s existing digital products and potentially a second-screen experience both in-home and at the venue, as well as syndication of the data collected for fans for their own use. It would also greatly change the league’s internal statistical record keeping, and serve as another tool in player evaluation and coaching.

Review of offside calls

While the speed displayed during NHL games today is likely the fastest the league has ever seen, recent rule additions such as coaches’ challenges and video review of offside calls have come under fire for slowing the game. As MLB recently instituted timing guidelines for umpires regarding video review, the NHL could do the same to help curb a process that has often kept games at a standstill for multiple minutes.

At the league’s most recent general manager meeting in March, the topic was heavily discussed among the group, as well as how offside should be judged. Goals have been reviewed and overturned this season because of the current rule, which states that if a player’s skate is above the blue line, but not touching it, before the puck crosses the blue line, he is considered offside. While no immediate recommendation came out of that meeting, it is expected that discussions will continue through the league’s busy summer schedule, which includes a board of governors meeting.

Also as part of that GM meeting, there was a discussion of more hypothetical ideas that could improve the game.

They included:

■ Not allowing players to go down on the ice to block shots.

■ Moving faceoff circles in the offensive and defensive zones to better encourage play in the middle of the ice instead of along the boards.

■ Ways to lower the amount of congestion around the net.