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The penalty shot is one of hockey's most thrilling spectacles: a lone skater against a goaltender with the crowd on its feet. This season, the Nashville Predators have already been involved in two such moments, surpassing their total from the previous two seasons combined. Jack Drury was denied by Vegas on Oct. 13, while Jonathan Marchessault converted against St. Louis on Oct. 18.
Yet the effectiveness of the penalty shot is coming under scrutiny. League-wide, the success rate typically hovers around 22%, but last season it plummeted to 18%, with only six goals scored on 33 attempts. That figure lags behind the shootout success rate (around 30%) and even trails the power play efficiency of many teams, which often exceeds 24% for top units like Edmonton, Carolina, Dallas, and Vegas.
Proposed Rule Changes
In light of these numbers, two potential rule modifications have been proposed. The first would allow coaches to select any player to take the penalty shot, rather than being restricted to the player who was fouled. The second, more radical idea would give the non-offending team's coach the choice between a penalty shot or a two-minute minor power play.
Predators players and coaches largely support the concepts. Captain Roman Josi acknowledged the strategic value of having options but admitted he'd likely still choose the penalty shot. Forward Steven Stamkos sees merit in the flexibility, especially for game management purposes, but expressed reluctance to deny a teammate who earned the opportunity. Head coach Andrew Brunette endorsed the idea, emphasizing that any player should be able to take the shot, not just the one who was fouled.
The debate reflects a broader conversation about optimizing excitement and fairness in the game. While no official rule changes are currently on the table—the last adjustment came in 2014 with the ban on the spin-o-rama—the success rates suggest that a tweak could be beneficial. As the Predators continue their season, the hockey world will be watching to see if these proposals gain traction.
Originally reported by yahoo.