NHL RDO Camp to test multitude of ideas

The NHL Friday revealed the various potential rule changes, rink modifications and strategic innovations that will be tested during the 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp fueled by G Series August 18-19 .

The camp, which will comprise four on-ice sessions over two days at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility in Etobicoke, ON, will feature more than 30 of the top prospects eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Participating players will be announced next week.
 
"I think everyone involved with the NHL thinks that our game is in really good shape," NHL Vice President of Hockey and Business Development Brendan Shanahan said. "I think that this is just a way of being progressive and keeping ourselves well informed of not just the fact that things work but why they work. Most companies or industries have research and development and that's exactly what this is: it's studying our own product."

Two veteran NHL coaches -- Ken Hitchcock  and Dave King  -- will take part in the camp and will be challenging the prospects with strategies which emphasize offensive play and creating scoring chances.

"We're very fortunate to have coaches of the caliber of Ken Hitchcock and Dave King working with these talented young players," Shanahan said. "Ken and Dave are two men who never turn off their hockey brains. They're always thinking of ways to make the game better and to approach game strategy from different and innovative angles."

Wednesday August 18 (all times ET; subject to change)

10:00 a.m. – Noon
* Hybrid icing rule;
* No line change for team committing an offside;
* Crease reset rule;
* Face-off variation (face-off controlled by whistle in place of traditional puck drop);
* Overtime: three minutes of 4-on-4; three minutes of 3-on-3; three minutes of 2-on- 2 followed by shootout (5 players per team).

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
* Bigger crease;
* Verification goal line (additional line situated behind the goal line);
* Wider blue lines;
* Line changes zone in front of each bench;
* Face-off variations (infringement results in the offending player moving back further, three face-off dots down the middle of the ice);
* No icing the puck while shorthanded;
* OT – three minutes of 4-on-4; three minutes of 3-on-3; three minutes of 2-on-2 with long line changes; followed by three shooters per team shootout (if tied after three shots then players who have shot previously can shoot again).

Thursday August 19 (all times ET; subject to change)

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
* No touch icing;
* Team that commits an offside infraction cannot make a line change and face-off is in offending team zone;
* Face-off variation: after a face-off violation, opposition center may choose his face-off opponent;
* Second referee located off the playing surface;
* Delayed penalty rule
* No icing the puck while shorthanded;
* OT – 4-on-4 (with long line change) followed by a shootout with five players.

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
* Variations of special teams play;
* OT – 4-on-4 (with long line change).