Seems like a good time to revisit this...
The Tkachuk play was an impressive skill play that should be allowed in the game. It's really silly that Johnny would have been obviously 'guilty' in the exact same situation, even though his stick is shorter and 'safer', yet someone like Chara would have been obviously 'innocent'.
On the other hand, earlier in the first period, there as a 'jump ball' above the Flames goal mouth - Hamonic swung his stick somewhat wildly (amongst several players) to try to knock the puck away - a far more dangerous situation, but absolutely the 'right' hockey play in the situation (batting with his hand might have been better, albeit less likely to clear the puck from danger).
They should forget about how high the puck is when contacted, and worry about how it is contacted. Of course this retains ambiguity in what constitutes a 'swing' vs. a 'knock', but IMO it is a much easier case of 'you know it when you see it'. Directing the puck to yourself, a nearby teammate, or the goal (from very close) = knock; directing the puck further away = swing. Primarily wrists = knock; more elbows/shoulders = swing.
I'd go as far as penalizing any 'swing' at the puck, regardless of contact, above crossbar level - pretty sure that would pretty much eliminate the practice entirely. Batters up for pucks below the crossbar. I'm sure we'd end up with a high profile incident or two where a 'swung at' goal turns into a 2 minute penalty, but such is the risk you take swinging at any puck ~48 inches high (for that result to be conclusive overturn it would probably have to be several inches higher or lower relative to the on-ice call...nobody is going to get really screwed here).
Personally, I'd allow hand passes/knocks everywhere in all circumstances, but I don't think the status quo is as silly as high sticking right now.
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