from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

You would think that 6,375 square feet of ice is enough office space for the planet’s most skilled hockey players to enjoy as an offensive playground. Coaches, systems, goalies, and equipment, however, have turned the attacking zone into a pit of quicksand.

This season, NHL teams averaged 2.73 goals per game. In 2005-06, the first season after the lockout, the league average was 3.08 goals per game. Scoring chances don’t just die on the vine. Not enough of them happen in the first place.

Defense rules, to the point where the game’s stewards are studying the rules themselves.

During their formal meetings and in casual conversations, general managers have chatted about outlawing zone defense. The idea has not progressed to a degree where the GMs are considering how to implement such a change. It would be a radical departure. But that GMs are discussing the concept at all indicates their concern over scoring’s waning rate.

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