Rule Discussion: 4 goalie max to 3 goalie max (2014-15)

[Drew]

This is a suggestion from favo from the suggestion box. I think this is a good idea as we have had very competitive teams every year but there have been teams, due to the fact of having multiple goalies, that have been the cream of the crop!

Should we have another conversation on goalies?

After looking through all the rosters, you can definitely see a huge difference between the top of the league and the bottom of the league in regards to goalie ownership. I know I was a huge advocate in not going below 4 goalies, but maybe I was wrong. What if we went to 3 goalies per team next season? With a total of 60 goalie jobs in the NHL available per season, I think it is preposterous for our league to have more slots available then there are actual goalies in the NHL.

With our current set up, we have a total of 72 goalie slots available. That is 12 more slots then actual NHL jobs. If we cut it to 3 goalies per team, we would have a total of 54 goalie slots. That is 6 less slots then actual NHL jobs. We might even have more FA goalies available when a goalie gets injured!

I feel a move like this is needed in order to help create parity in the league. A move like this will not punish a team that has traded or drafted well, because that team can move one of their excess goalies for a pretty solid bounty. When a young goalie on your team has finally earned the starter position or has proven to be a solid back up, you can always move one of your other goalies to make room for him.

I really enjoy the competitive atmosphere in the league, but I find it can be a little disheartening when teams are saying right now "I don't see me winning this year, so I am going to start selling" and the trade deadline is more then a month away. And I feel that lowering the goalie limit to 3 will help with this.

[favo_zomg]

This isn't to say that this will stop teams from dominating; a team with three starters is always going to be the cream of the crop. I think people would feel better about their chances if we spread the love a little better. And dropping the goalie count to three will help that.

[SlackJack]

  Well thought and well said....as long as we never drop below three!
Personally I am not concerned with the correlation between fantasy goalie slots and actual NHL jobs but I do agree with the rest of the rationale. The removal of 18 goalie slots may also help allow for future league expansion.

One question I have is what becomes of the 25th roster slot? Are we going to run with a 24 man roster or maybe designate that slot as wild? (In other words maybe have a generic 'skater' slot to be used for C, RW, LW, or D) I'm not advocating for this but it would certainly be part of the fall-out from a move to three goalies. Without much consideration I think I would favour a 24 man roster with rigid position slots as is.

[Jwalk100]

The removal of 18 goalie slots may also help allow for future league expansion.

One question I have is what becomes of the 25th roster slot? Are we going to run with a 24 man roster or maybe designate that slot as wild? (In other words maybe have a generic 'skater' slot to be used for C, RW, LW, or D) I'm not advocating for this but it would certainly be part of the fall-out from a move to three goalies. Without much consideration I think I would favour a 24 man roster with rigid position slots as is.

 

I like the generic skater idea.

[favo_zomg]

I thought the league was already pretty liberal in regards to how many of what position you can have on a roster? I know my team has floated between have 8 to 10 defenseman and 12 to 15 forwards. I even see teams with only 6 defenseman.

[SlackJack]

I thought the league was already pretty liberal in regards to how many of what position you can have on a roster? I know my team has floated between have 8 to 10 defenseman and 12 to 15 forwards. I even see teams with only 6 defenseman.

To be clear I was wondering about the Fantrax rosters.......would the 25th position just be dropped or would it be converted? Maybe it's a non-issue.....I'm tired. 

[favo_zomg]

To be clear I was wondering about the Fantrax rosters.......would the 25th position just be dropped or would it be converted? Maybe it's a non-issue.....I'm tired. 

I would assume it stays at 25 men, cause there are also teams that do not have 4 goalies but they do have a full 25 man roster.

[Drew]

I would assume it stays at 25 men, cause there are also teams that do not have 4 goalies but they do have a full 25 man roster.

Yes we will stay at 25 men. I have run this whole season with only 2 goalies so you don't have to have 4.

[norrya66]

I think I like going to 3 goalies.  Makes the depth in the free agent pool better, but at the same time doesn't hurt the elite goalies.

[favo_zomg]

Should we put a vote to it?