Comments on: Two rule changes will force players to be more careful with their hands

By: miketoasty

miketoasty — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:07:38 +0000

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

By: hystoracle

hystoracle — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:58:12 +0000

Agree with you. But I can see the second rule being selectively enforced. It is hard to see into those scrums at the faceoff dot sometimes. The part of the rule that states “Once the face-off is deemed complete” is up to interpretation by the referees. These striped bozos have a hard enough time as it is.

By: dolanster

dolanster — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:27:40 +0000

Agree. Hand passes should be illegal everywhere on ice.

By: fleshybear

fleshybear — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:02:03 +0000

I do like the rule change on the face off, the previous rule gives a defensive player a clear advantage. i would like to some changes with goalie interference before they start flopping more then they already do.

By: barkar942

barkar942 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:58:23 +0000

I personally disagree with the entire “you can move the puck with your hand in the defensive zone” rule.
I remember when that rule first came in, I questioned why. I still think the entire rule should be tossed. Hockey pucks are to be moved with sticks or your skates, not your hands.
Does anyone know where there is a good explanation of why this rule went into effect in the first place? There is way too much movement of the puck now in the defensive zone.

By: jrmehle

jrmehle — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:55:59 +0000

I also disagree with your second point. Hockey is played with sticks, not hands. This is equivalent to kicking a goal in. It’s not particularly harmful to the game, but it’s just not hockey.

By: miketoasty

miketoasty — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:48:12 +0000

I disagree with your second point, it gives the defending team an unfair advantage on the faceoff that I’m sure wasn’t intended.

I agree with you on the first rule though.

By: jrmehle

jrmehle — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:47:56 +0000

It will be interesting to see if this affects any centermen’s faceoff win percentages. I know certain players have a reputation for batting the puck with their hand more than others.

By: stakex

stakex — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:31:45 +0000

The first rule just clarifies an existing rule. Players shouldn’t be able to catch a puck and make a movie with it, so I don’t have much issue with it.

The second rule on the other hand is a real joke. There is no reason a defensive player shouldn’t be able to hand pass the puck to win a faceoff. Clearly this is just another example of the NHL looking for ways to invent penelties to incrase scoring which is something I have big issues with.