Sorry, should have been more clear. Not talking about the blog itself, but these consecutive comments:




And why is allowing hand passes is a good idea? More goals? If higher scoring games is all you're after maybe basketball or lacrosse are more for you. Less stoppages? How many whistles a game are there for hand passes? It's not an epidemic.
- PancakesPenner

It's certainly not an epidemic, but they're already allowed, so why not allow them in the O zone? it's a dumb rule. As for purists, I don't think that's a hot take either, everyone knows they're the worst part of anything - and the irony is that they always remember a certain time in sepia tones and are pure to that time, which is completely random.

It's certainly not an epidemic, but they're already allowed, so why not allow them in the O zone? it's a dumb rule. As for purists, I don't think that's a hot take either, everyone knows they're the worst part of anything - and the irony is that they always remember a certain time in sepia tones and are pure to that time, which is completely random.
- James_Tanner

I agree allowing hand passes at one end of the ice and not the other is dumb, but I'd rather get rid of them all together.

Let's say in the Sharks/Blues scenario Meier sticks his hand out to play the puck, like he did, and a Blues defenseman slashes his hand while also trying to play the puck and breaks a bone. Does he get a penalty for slashing? He's trying to legally play the puck, Meier is illegally doing so. Does he get fined or suspended? I'd imagine not, since he was trying to make a play on the puck, not injure a player, but you never know with the DoPS.

Now, same scenario, but hand passes are legal. Meier sticks his hand out for the puck, gets hit with the stick of the dman and breaks a bone. Now they're both attempting legal plays on the puck. Is it a slashing penalty now? A fine or suspension?

I'm up for any changes that highlights the players' skills. I don't see allowing hand passes highlighting skill. Any dummy can swat at a puck with their mitt.

I agree allowing hand passes at one end of the ice and not the other is dumb, but I'd rather get rid of them all together.

Let's say in the Sharks/Blues scenario Meier sticks his hand out to play the puck, like he did, and a Blues defenseman slashes his hand while also trying to play the puck and breaks a bone. Does he get a penalty for slashing? He's trying to legally play the puck, Meier is illegally doing so. Does he get fined or suspended? I'd imagine not, since he was trying to make a play on the puck, not injure a player, but you never know with the DoPS.

Now, same scenario, but hand passes are legal. Meier sticks his hand out for the puck, gets hit with the stick of the dman and breaks a bone. Now they're both attempting legal plays on the puck. Is it a slashing penalty now? A fine or suspension?

I'm up for any changes that highlights the players' skills. I don't see allowing hand passes highlighting skill. Any dummy can swat at a puck with their mitt.
- PancakesPenner

Your examples don't seem to take into account that you can already do a hand pass in some parts of the rink and this situation never occurs. The ref makes a subjective decision, like every other play. No big deal.

Just substitute the Coyotes for the Blues last night and this story reads: No Freaking Hand Passes allowed in NHL!
- Carl317

Post of the year.