NHL considering allowing Hand Passes and High Sticking - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Vansmack · 10-09-2019, 04:01 PM

Just listened to an interview with Colin Campbell on NHL radio. He mentioned that they will be discussing allowing Hand Passes in the neutral/offensive zone as well as allowing goals from high sticks.

He said it will be discussed at the GMs meetings in November and March. The thought process is to eliminate the reviews and allow for more scoring.

What do you guys think about this? He suggested that the high stick rule was brought in for player safety at a time where helmets and visors were not worn. He also said that they will not reconsider allowing kicked goals.

btimbit · 10-09-2019, 04:02 PM

Meh why not. If a high stick doesn't hit anyone what's the harm

Mccree · 10-09-2019, 04:03 PM

I think kicking the puck in should count too.

Coach · 10-09-2019, 04:03 PM

People can still get terribly hurt by an weren’t high stick. Last thing we want is players waving their sticks at pucks in the air.

Keep it the way it is. And maybe call it properly (cough) game one (cough).

Buff · 10-09-2019, 04:06 PM

I'm not sold on the safety of the high stick.

Once you allow that players will start to swing their sticks at the puck. One misfire and you wack somebody across the face and blood. Bloody everywhere.

Hand pass? Why not? As long as you don't close your hand on the puck and you just bat it down or hit it.

I also feel like kicking the puck would be safer than high sticking it.

wretched34 · 10-09-2019, 04:09 PM

I'm fine with with goals being counted off a high stick, or pass from a high stick, as the puck is meant to be moved by a players stick. So long as the high stick doesn't result in a high sticking penalty, it should be allowed to play the puck at any height.
As for hand passes, I'm not as much of a fan of those being allowed, but if you're going to allow a player to kick a puck as a pass, then they should be allowed to use a hand, so long as they do not close the glove or cover the puck. Goals should continue to be disallowed for a direct hand or foot motion towards the net though.

TheIronMaiden · 10-09-2019, 04:12 PM

The shades between what constitutes closing your hand on the puck and what doesn't makes me think that is a bad idea. I like rules with simplicity, it is or it isn't. No need to make that more complicated then necessary.

Bill Bumface · 10-09-2019, 04:13 PM

So now you'll have players flipping the puck up in the air to the tallest player on their team, who will jump and volleyball it over to an open player near the net to bat out of the air.

I don't even know if I'm excited or dreading this.

Geeoff · 10-09-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mccree

I think kicking the puck in should count too.

The difference is that kicking the puck is a lot more dangerous because the feet are attached to sharpened metal blades

TheIronMaiden · 10-09-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mccree

I think kicking the puck in should count too.

The WHL allows kicking the puck in the net. So far as I understand there has been no issue.

Igottago · 10-09-2019, 04:14 PM

I don't like either being considered, but particularly the hand pass. The existing rules force on ice play to maintain the essence of the game -- which is playing the puck with a hockey stick. Anything that takes away from that is a bad idea.

MrMike · 10-09-2019, 04:20 PM

So could you now balance the puck on the back of your glove and just skate with it?

I could definitely see shots being average head height to get through traffic and look for a tip in.

foshizzle11 · 10-09-2019, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vansmack

Just listened to an interview with Colin Campbell on NHL radio. He mentioned that they will be discussing allowing Hand Passes in the neutral/offensive zone as well as allowing goals from high sticks.

He said it will be discussed at the GMs meetings in November and March. The thought process is to eliminate the reviews and allow for more scoring.

What do you guys think about this? He suggested that the high stick rule was brought in for player safety at a time where helmets and visors were not worn. He also said that they will not reconsider allowing kicked goals.

I think below the players shoulders is good, and yes that makes it different for everyone, I am not a fan of the any height thing.

As for the hand pass, why not, but goals still shouldn't count if you wack it into the goal with your glove on purpose.

Nah to the kicking the puck in thing, just leave that rule.

zarrell · 10-09-2019, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

People can still get terribly hurt by an weren’t high stick. Last thing we want is players waving their sticks at pucks in the air.

Keep it the way it is. And maybe call it properly (cough) game one (cough).

Players wave their sticks at almost every puck in the air all the time. Doesn't seem to have led to many injuries to this point. I like this idea.

N-E-B · 10-09-2019, 04:27 PM

The NHL is losing sight of player safety. Not only with this idea but in general. Penalties are supposed to be about protecting the players but instead they are being used to manage games and create scoring chances.

They have to keep the sticks down. The last thing they need is more guys recklessly swinging their sticks near guys faces. I know the chances of a catastrophic injury is low but it’s still present. Leave the rule alone.

Igottago · 10-09-2019, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N-E-B

They have to keep the sticks down. The last thing they need is more guys recklessly swinging their sticks near guys faces. I know the chances of a catastrophic injury is low but it’s still present. Leave the rule alone.

Also, imagine a high puck being swatted at by a bunch of players at the same time...it just seems like it would look kind of skill-less, chaotic and stupid. At least now they are forced to utilize some measure of control to get the puck back down and onto their stick to play. Call me old school but I just don't like it. Make them get the puck back down to the ice and play it properly.

KootenayFlamesFan · 10-09-2019, 04:35 PM

A big hell no to letting players kick the puck in. The last thing you need is a mad scramble in the crease with a player or two down on the ice and others trying to kick the puck in the net. It would be Clint Malarchuk all over again, no thanks.

TheIronMaiden · 10-09-2019, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

A big hell no to letting players kick the puck in. The last thing you need is a mad scramble in the crease with a player or two down on the ice and others trying to kick the puck in the net. It would be Clint Malarchuk all over again, no thanks.

Has this been the case in the WHL? I don't have a source but I remember sn960 mentioned that the instance where pucks come in off a skate did not increase after year one. There has been Some 1,496‬ plus games without an injury related to the rule change.

81MC · 10-09-2019, 04:40 PM

Both these are terrible ideas.
####, I can throw a puck 200', lets do it.

KootenayFlamesFan · 10-09-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Has this been the case in the WHL? I don't have a source but I remember sn960 mentioned that the instance where pucks come in off a skate did not increase after year one. There has been Some 1,496‬ plus games without an injury related to the rule change.

I don't exactly what the rule is in the WHL, I'll look it up later. Directing the puck in with a skate like they can now in the NHL is fine with me, I just don't want to see soccer-style kicking around the crease. Might not see players injured all the time, but all you need is for it to happen one time for there to be a really terrible injury.