Hi everyone! Oh boy, have I got something fun to share with you today. I’m willing to bet that anyone reading this right now is about to learn something about hockey that they never ever believed could possibly have existed. Today, you are about to read about a one-time NHL rule called the “free shot”.

Ok, I know what you’re saying: “What the hell is a free shot?” Let me explain. The free shot was an experimental rule that was only applied for about two weeks during the 1974 exhibition schedule. In essence, the free shot rule was brought in because games were becoming too slow. Players, and especially goaltenders, were constantly delaying the game, and NBC insisted that the NHL do something to make games more interesting, otherwise the TV network was not going to broadcast anymore games. The rule went something like this: a player would be allowed a shot on goal, unobstructed, if a) an opposing goalie froze the puck for more than three seconds, b) a opposing goalie delayed the game by placing the puck onto the goal netting, or c) an opposing player, including the goalie, despite not being checked by an opponent, chose to freeze the puck or play the puck along the boards in a way that led to a whistle.

What may shock you even more is that the free shot was not even the league’s first attempt to tweak the penalty for delay of game. In 1970, the NHL attempted to impose a free faceoff rule, which was basically the same as the free shot except, in this case, the centreman had to pass the puck to a teammate instead of shooting the puck himself. Can you imagine this rule being applied to the NHL of 2023? The NHL has definitely changed some rules over the years, like taking away the red line, adding no-touch icing, and implementing 3-on-3 overtime followed by a shootout. But giving a player an opportunity to let one rip on a defenseless goaltender? Not sure the NHLPA would be in favour of that, and NHL players of the 1970s were less than thrilled at the rule as well.

In the end, the free shot rule accomplished very little. It was called about two dozen times, resulting in less goals (3) than Law and Order spin-offs (too many to count). Obviously, neither of these rules were ever applied during a regular-season game, so most people don’t know about this odd little footnote in hockey history. The free shot/faceoff rules certainly weren’t widely reported in either 1970 or 1974, but they were indeed documented. You just have to look really, really, really hard in some old newspapers and Hockey News issues.

So there you have it, folks. You can now say for sure that you have learned something today. You’re welcome!

Of course, the Seals were around during both of these aforementioned periods. As far as I know, the Seals were never involved in a free faceoff situation, but they were indeed involved in one free shot on September 22, 1974 versus Atlanta. The game took place in Kingston, Ontario as did many Seals pre-season games in those days, and this partial article from the Ottawa Journal is the best description I could find of the unusual (and historic) event. Happy reading!

Until next time, stay gold!