Personally, I don't like the these changes. I guess I'm a bit of a purist. The highest scoring games I want to see are 4-3. EVER.
And what do you mean about the Sabres? Did they come up with that? If they would want to make any single rule change, it would probably be that if someone steps in the crease before the puck they get electrocuted through the ice.
I think these new rules are needed, the redline was a pain in the arse, this will now allow a player in his own zone to pass to any of his team mates in the neutral zone without fear of being penalized for an off-side pass, the result: faster more aggressive hockey. And then the limit on pad sizes is great...have you seen some of those guys?? Especially a certain mighty duck goalie (not to mention any names) this will allow us to see the goalies true ability, without the goalie having to change his style completely. (Like with the bigger nets) So in my opinion this will a much purer version of hockey...like the good old' days
P.s. yes, the bigger nets was an idea submitted by the Buffalo Sabres hockey organization.