Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
Particularly interference call standards could be easily adjusted. Simply put, you cannot impede a guy who chips the puck by you and then goes after it. This is routine - winger chips puck in at the line, defenseman runs into him and holds him up. Not called because winger just had possession. But unless it's a bodycheck, it's the absolute definition of what should be considered interference.
|
I have heard the argument that more injuries would occur to defenseman if some type of impedence/interference isn't allowed (e.g., puck is dumped in and the forward gets to take what essentially amounts to a free shot at the defenseman who has to play the puck). With quality defenseman at a premium these days, teams don't want them going down with injuries/concussions/etc.. I don't know if I agree with this argument, but it is definitely one I've heard from folks in the game.
For me, the most frustrating aspect of today's NHL is the amount of blocked shots that occur in the attacking zone. I have no clue as to how to limit this (and really, this is an example of improved team/system play, so logically it is difficult for me to argue against it), but I wish we could cut it back a bit.
And yes, I've just agreed with Howie Meeker for maybe the first time in my life!