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I feel like Carolina's defense is now something like Dallas' with two elite defenders who lead the way, and everyone else providing varying degrees of support in different zones. Difference being, Carolina plays a more structured but more rigid offensive attack. Kind of fascinated by how that plays out and whether Rod is willing to change things. (Great work as always)

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Good point about the top-heaviness. Carolina's TOI distribution without Skjei-Pesce will be interesting to monitor. Regardless of how that shakes out, Rod should tweak the breakout now that the blue line seems built for more freedom (Burns, Walker, Ghost). Even Orlov is at his best when he can play loose and press the issue.

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I appreciate your focus on young potential star players, looking forward to checking out all these players this season.

I didn’t agree with your no-skate goals rule change, cause it’s been that way so long (and I remember the battles over skates in the crease no goals), and the kicking motion is mostly obvious with reviews.

It occurred to me though, and I could be wrong, that any deflection off a glove is a no goal. So why is there a no-glove goal rule, but skate deflections are mostly allowed? I’d think cause hand passes aren’t allowed. Kick passes are; then why not kicking motion goals? So would your no-skate goal rule also mean no kick skate passes? Probably not.

Any change here would be controversial I’d think.

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Thanks for the thoughtful comment! I can see your perspective regarding the distinct kicking motion. I just find the inconsistency maddening. As for goals off a glove/body part, those are actually allowed so long as the act isn't "deliberate." In other words, another judgment call. IMO the more cut-and-dry, the better.

With that said, you're 100% correct in saying that this sort of change would be met with some resistance.

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