The new rule was something that came up in the GM talks (partly to do with the new CBA) to promote the game better.
They got rid of the red line to allow 2 line passes, the now allow touch up offsides, smaller goalie equipment (again) and now there is a 3on3 shootout after the 5min overtime. This is all in an attempt to create more offense, get rid of the defensive trap, blah blah so that its easier to sell the game (to Americans, and also to the Europeans that are used to the faster tempo pace)
、、な感じだと思います。