Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Fixing Some Problems

05/13/2016 at 6:17pm EDT

from Kerry Fraser of TSN,

Since this finite aspect of the rule is very difficult to detect and has ground the game to a standstill with lengthy challenges, beyond just retooling the language of the rule for clarity, I believe it’s time for a more radical change. There’s a need to keep the game moving and create cleaner entry into the attacking zone for enhanced scoring opportunities.

TSN Senior Correspondent Gary Lawless and I had a think-tank discussion in an attempt to fix the problem. The end point of that discussion from my perspective is the following. Make the edge of the blue line closest to the neutral zone the entry point of the attacking zone and not the inside/leading edge of the line. As such, once the puck is on the blue paint of the line it would be considered inside the zone and all attacking players allowed to cross into the white ice. The puck carrier could therefore stop the puck on the line and be considered to have entered the attacking zone.

I would also suggest increasing the width of the line from 12” to say 20” which would provide a wider buffer zone for non-puck carrying attacking players and a closer tag-up on a delayed offside. Finally, write with clarity, that the players skate does not have to be in contact with the ice so long as the trailing leg has not broken the plain of the blue paint and remained visible over the white ice of the neutral zone.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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