Why are there so many too many men penalties?
The line change is a procedure practiced in hockey from six years old and up. There is really only one way to do it. The player leaving the ice skates over to the bench and when he is within 5 feet the player coming on enters the play. It's not rocket surgery.
The NHL may be cracking down on it but once you know they expect you to follow the procedure, I'm sure any true professional will behave accordingly. You can make the argument that for the money NHL players are being paid they should be able to do the little things. I don't look at the money as an issue. This is about doing your job properly. The line change is one of very few things that the other team is not trying to directly stop you from completing.
The only explanation I can see is the players are being lazy on this fundamental procedure. I think if your team is accumulating too many men penalties then the players are not sticking to the system and doing their job properly.
Penalties in the playoffs can be very costly. Too many men penalties should not happen. Too many of these penalties will lead to a longer summer vacation and hockey players want the shortest summer vacation possible.
Don't forgot that the desirable shift length is now between 30-40 seconds instead of the 50-70 seconds that was more common in the 80's and early to mid '90s.
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