1943 Introduction of the Center Red Line Initial Impressions

[Canadiens1958]

During the pre-season games before the start of the 1943-44 season the introduction of the Center Red Line Drew a fair amount of attention.

October 25, 1943 Baz O'Meara in the Montreal Daily Star wrote an article about a pre-season game featuring the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. Very interesting data about the speed and the reduction of offside calls(whistles).

Even more interesting is the realization that the NHL had keptdetailed faceoff statistics for awhile before the introduction of the center Red Line as the number of offside whistles in a game which tended to the 40-60 range previously is clearly indicated to have fallen to 17.

It will be interesting to see which other statistical data the NHL was keeping in its formative days.

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[Killion]

^^^ Pretty dramatic, revolutionary. From an average of 40-60 whistle stops over the course of a game for Off~Sides to just 17. High scoring affair as well with 11 going in, speeded up the game considerably, exactly what the NHL needed in 1943 what with talent off through enlistments & call~ups to difficulties at the gate. I mean gosh, can you imagine being a fan & sitting there seeing what looks like a new & better, much more improved game without the interminable stoppages in play? Not dissimilar to the removal of the Center Ice Red Line 60yrs later coming out of the 2004 Lockout.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Later

Later during the same pre-season Baz O'Meara, authored another column. Montréal Daily Star, Saturday, October, 30, 1943.

Interview during practice with Harvey "Busher" Jackson.

The article is noteworthy for a variety of reason.

It hilites the come to camp to get into shape mentality that prevailed in the 1940s. The realization that "skating" was going to be at a premium Under the center Red Line rules and the ability of experienced players to appreciate which players would benefit the most under the new rules. Busher Jackson mentions Herb cain as a player that will benefit. Well Cain after no previous top 10 finishes in scoring won the scoring title during the 1943-44 season at the age of 31 and had his second 30+ goal season the next year when players of that age were retiring.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/cainhe01.html

Jackson, just two years older but not as good of a skater and a bit of an off ice player did not benefit from the new rule, retiring at the end of the 1943-44 season not coming close to his 1931-32 peak when he won the scoring championship:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/j/jacksbu01.html

Yet both faced the same opposing players.

 

[Mayor Bee]

^^^ Pretty dramatic, revolutionary. From an average of 40-60 whistle stops over the course of a game for Off~Sides to just 17. High scoring affair as well with 11 going in, speeded up the game considerably, exactly what the NHL needed in 1943 what with talent off through enlistments & call~ups to difficulties at the gate. I mean gosh, can you imagine being a fan & sitting there seeing what looks like a new & better, much more improved game without the interminable stoppages in play? Not dissimilar to the removal of the Center Ice Red Line 60yrs later coming out of the 2004 Lockout.

I remember the game seeming to flow much better some years back as soon as the automatic offside was replaced (again) by the tag-up.