Every now and again, the NHL has an epiphany. There’s no need for new rules to improve the game; all the rules you need are already in the book. Enforcing them has been the problem.
Such is the case for the two areas targeted for enforcement this year – slashing and faceoffs.
I don’t think the decision to call the slashing rule a lot closer, particularly on the hands, will upset anyone. This was a clear violation used by the less skilled to handicap and injure the skilled players the public pays to see.
The new standard needs to be the standard today and every day. Where I am worried about a creep back to the bad ol’ days is in enforcement area number two: faceoffs.
WATCH BELOW: Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid reacts to NHL crackdown on slashing, faceoff violations
The lines telling players where to put their feet aren’t new. They showed up in the mid-90’s as a reaction to what we’re seeing now; namely players cheating for an advantage, pushing in, butting heads, twisting their feet, anything for an edge on the opponent.
Some, like the Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand, say upping the standard takes the skill out of faceoffs. I disagree.
Tying a draw up in a furball, or the endless pre-faceoff jostling that delays the start of the play is the problem. Football linemen aren’t allowed to creep or encroach once they’re lined up for the start of play. Why should centres be allowed to?
It would be all too easy for the NHL to let the standard slip on this one as they have all too often on previous crackdowns. This time, let’s hope the league sticks to the line drawn in the sand, or in this case, on the ice.