The crackdown on cross-checking

[sureLoss]

https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/sto...cross-checking

In a video shown to the Board of Governors this week that will be distributed to the teams in training camp, the NHL states that there will be "stricter enforcement" of Rule 59 on cross-checking. Specifically, the "stricter enforcement" will occur in three areas where cross-checks are delivered:

Around the boards: The example provided by the NHL included a series of cross-checks being delivered to a player as he battled for the puck in the corner, as well as a cross-check from behind that knocked down a player along the boards. Basically, a tap by a defender will be tolerated, but if he starts acting like an amateur chiropractor, it's a penalty.

Open ice: Players are allowed to use their sticks to "push or guide" a player defensively. But it's when that push involves excessive force that's the problem. Among the examples given here: Connor McDavid being knocked down by a stick while driving into the opposing defensive zone. (Someone please tell Connor that's he's been heard and seen.)

Net front: The specific infraction here isn't necessarily the battles in front of the goal, where offensive and defensive players can sometimes trade cross-checks as they jockey for position. Rather, the league wants to crack down on cross-checks from defensive players from the faceoff dots down to the crease, sending opponents to the ice while there's a shot coming from the point.

The Department of Player Safety will scrutinize two kinds of cross-checks for potential supplemental discipline: cross-checks away from the puck to a vulnerable area of an opponent, and cross-checks delivered the back while a player is skating toward the boards at a significant speed, causing a collision. In the case of the first, there's an element of intent to injure. In the case of the second, the results of the plays can be accidental, but Player Safety will still ring them up for recklessness.

[Burning Beard]

Lucky for Weber he is on LTIR or he would rack up a ton of PMs

[Knightslayer]

Can't wait until 6 weeks of calling everything and then totally ignoring everything.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

Can't wait until 6 weeks of calling everything and then totally ignoring everything.

Why? They did a good job cracking down on the excessive slashing through the whole season. They can do the same for cross-checking. I do think they went too far with the slashing, and could dial it back a tiny bit. Playoffs are a different beast though.

[dissentowner]

So Connor McCrybaby whined about it to the media and the NHL is appeasing their golden child.

[81MC]

“ Players are allowed to use their sticks to "push or guide" a player defensively. But it's when that push involves excessive force that's the problem”

####ing hate this kind of thing. This is okay, unless you really mean it or are really strong or the other guy has weak legs or the ref thinks you were a little hard on the guy or...

That sounds like the most subjective, tickytak type of #### out there.

[Heavy Jack]

Couldn’t have picked a better time to add Gudbranson hahaha

[GioforPM]

Good news for guys like Tkachuk and Monahan who play close to the net I suppose.

[Kipper_3434]

Is this actually any different than the old rule? Aside from the plays into the boards being suspendable for cross checking instead of intent to injure / boarding.

[stemit14]

Of course this happens the year the flames bulk up on grit. Guaranteed McDavid is going to be treated like an untouchable by the league/refs this year. ESPN wants superstars in the playoffs and they just payed a boat load to the NHL so they’ll be asking for more Connor McDavids and fewer Phillip Danaults in the finals.


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[Cecil Terwilliger]

Yeah but like all nhl rules, this applies to regular season only.

[Philly06Cup]

It's easy to complain on the internet, but good on the NHL for making an effort to fix officiating. Cross-checks are lazy, unskilled plays that impede skilled players from using their skill. Mandates like this are good. Now let's see if they can live up to this standard they've set.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Looks like there will be a lot of PPs to start the year while players adjust - hope Calgary can get their PP going off the bat.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

It's easy to complain on the internet, but good on the NHL for making an effort to fix officiating. Cross-checks are lazy, unskilled plays that impede skilled players from using their skill. Mandates like this are good. Now let's see if they can live up to this standard they've set.

LOL come on… you think they’re making an effort to fix officiating? Really?

[Philly06Cup]

They made a mandate. That means they identified an issue and are trying to fix it. I choose to commend that effort instead of resort to the usual internet sarcasm.

[jayswin]

The biggest problem with crosschecking imo, is it's the most embellished infraction in the game right now. Even ahead of light taps around the skates being called trips.

As soon as players feel two hands on their back or arms they're down immediately for an almost automatic penalty.

[DoubleK]

The NHL is really overthinking this.

I haven't refereed in several years now, but the guideline I was always taught was to use the middle of the number on the jersey.

Cross checking a player above that line would upset his balance to the point he would fall forward. Obviously, this is extremely dangerous near the boards. In front of the net, this would knock the player to the ice and bring the player's head closer to the shot coming from the point.

Cross checking a player below that line down to his pants would not upset his balance as much. In those cases, he would normally stand up more allowing the defending player to gain position in front of the net or along the boards.

If the NHL wanted to take a "zero tolerance" stance with cross checking like they did with the other stick fouls (slashing, hooking, high sticking), they could prohibit any contact with an opposing player while a stick is held with both hands. There would be a constant parade to the penalty box until the players adjusted.

Obviously this all goes out the window when the playoffs start as the league invariably resorts to prison rules.

[theinfinitejar]

If all that changes is they start calling defencemen in front of the net teeing off on a forward that's a huge start.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Is this actually any different than the old rule? Aside from the plays into the boards being suspendable for cross checking instead of intent to injure / boarding.

But now they really, really, really mean it.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Couldn’t have picked a better time to add Gudbranson hahaha

But a great time to re-sign Gaudreau!!!