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This just in... The Nominees for the Selke are: Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler and Jordan Staal.
NHL Replay Official Mike Murphy made the call last night on the Sedin goal and then I give him HUGE props for backing it up by calling CBC and explaining his decision to the postgame crew. The way he explained it made sense to me given a new interpretation of the rule as put forth in a DVD sent around to clubs.
It did. and I felt like saying, "Oh of course, like the DVD...wait...what?"
Ok, I know the NHL sends out these kinds of DVDs all the time because I have a friend who helps in the production of the "rule clarification" DVDs. I have never asked him to see one of them because that would be wrong since anything I would see I would not be able to comment on anyway...since this is his job.
Most recently, the NHL also put together a DVD they sent to the players to explain what a "blindside headshot" was. Again, great on the NHL. It is extremely prudent to have a single source to refer to when questioning the subtleties of a rule. It removes confusion and removes excuses.
My question is why aren't the fans and the media getting the same level of clarity? Why are we left in the dark? Why aren't these videos just plopped onto NHL.com in a section titled, "Rule Videos?" Hey make some more of them for fans just learning the game. Just a thought.
So what is kicking the puck
There is "kicking" and there is "directing." There are "kicking motions" and "swinging like a pendulum." There is "deliberate" and "unintentional."
So regardless of what the rule actually "is" I thought I would take a crack at what the rule should be.
First...let's ask why this rule exists at all.
Ok, well #1 is said to be safety, and as a goalie I can say I appreciate players not kicking at me with knives on their feet. #2 is, well best I can describe it, "This isn't soccer."
So the pendulum idea came from the safety...
However, goals go off of skates all the time...so we need more.
I am not getting on the NHL here. I think the refs are doing the absolute best they can. I don't always agree with how games are called, but I don't believe the refs are ever trying to impact the outcome of a game. I do have my own refereeing preferences. I don't like playoff games where teams get almost double digit power plays. I prefer what we saw in the Olympics where players are allowed to play and the games get rhythm to them.
But back to kicking.. here is what I think the rule should be.
"A kicking motion where the foot leaves the ice and/or is kicked in by the front or inside of a player's skate which is moving towards the goal directly."
Like my rule?
How would you change it?
Be back with some rumors and I will preview tonight's games as we begin some pivotal game fours!
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