John Walton Hockey

Sat, Jul 11th, 2009 9:55:00 am

MORRISON SIGNS, AHL RULE CHANGES

Lost in the news on Friday that Graham Mink has signed with the Florida Panthers was Washington's free agent signing of Brendan Morrison. He's been injured the last couple of seasons, but what a depth guy to add.

http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436776

The American Hockey League's board of governors wrapped up its meeting Friday, with some tweaks to the rules for 2009-10. Gone are the one minute penalties in overtime, and the shootout is going to a different format. No longer will just five shooters rotate past five rounds, everyone grab a stick and get ready. Also, there is now a crossover possibility in the East Division for the Calder Cup playoffs. If the fifth place team in the Atlantic has more points than the fourth place team in the East, that team crosses over. It would seem given the East's dominance over the last half dozen years or so, that possibility is unlikely. But if it happens, an East Division champ could see a team from New England in the first round instead of a divisional rival. Read the whole release from the AHL here.

http://theahl.com/news/league/index.html?article_id=10299