from Joe McDonald of ESPN,

There's a growing concern among players about the ice conditions around the NHL.

In an attempt to help fix the issues, the NHL and NHLPA Playing Environment subcommittee recently initiated a joint project to better identify and resolve ice-condition issues throughout the league. This process began on Feb. 1.

Players and on-ice officials are asked to fill out a one-page form after every game in order to quickly rate the ice. Players rate the ice either excellent, good or fair based on the three periods. The survey also asks is the ice hard and fast, and does it have good glide, or is it chippy, soft or sluggish.

Players are also asked whether or not the shoveling of snow during television timeouts is suitable or not.

NHL's deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded to an email from ESPN.com, asking about the success of the new rating process. "We've had an ice rating app available for players for years," Daly responded. "What we are trying now are actual ice report forms that are completed manually. No early returns yet, still way too early."

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