NHL Board of Governors approve Toronto Maple Leafs sale, announce two changes in rules
National Hockey League (NHL) Board of Governors got some high priority work done on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, during their meeting at the Wynn Las Vegas, which was reportedly going on for more than five hours.
In their first announcement, the Board of Governors made it clear that they have approved the sale of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise along with the decision to make some changes in two rules along with a number of other things that were expected to take place.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were put on sale by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board to the Rogers Communications, Inc. and BCE, Inc.
One thing that the media was really interested about was what trades and acquisitions the Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brian Burke, was interested in making this time around, which he did not answer clearly.
Since there are not many players entering the free market without any concrete offers already made to them, Burke is just willing to wait and see how the situation plays out.
"I think it's like the ice in the lake; one big piece goes out and then other stuff starts to move," Burke said. "Right now it's slow. I think everyone is waiting for that first trade."
The rules that were changed by the Board of Governors were Rule 67, which deals with handling the pick and Rule 76, which describes the face-off process. The major change that was announced to both was a two-minute minor penalty for respective reasons.
In the upcoming hockey season, any player who will cover the puck on the ice with his hand in order to conceal it from an opponent in any way will be dealt with a two-minute minor. Similarly, any player who uses his hand during a face-off to direct the puck in any direction will also be awarded a two-minute minor.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was also present during the occasion and updated the media that there was no progress, other than what is visible, in the Phoenix Coyotes ownership case.
Along with that, Nashville Predators’ general manager, David Poile, also expressed his hope of Ryan Suter staying with the team and terming it something only time will be able to tell.
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