Column: Bury the blocked shot, NHL

I love the notifications I'm getting on my iPad. Not happening on my iPhone yet, though. Hopefully soon...

Bettman is a pawn, the real issue are the owners like Ed Snider and Jeremy Jacobs that whined when officiating hurt their teams and when Brendan Shanahan was dishing out justice (suspensions) for acts that warranted such decisions.

The resolve of Bettman to allow himself to be such is one thing but these stewards of the game.... they care for nothing but the old man's game.

Until those dinosaurs are gone, nothing will change. Death or not.

Didn't anybody ever tell you that if you tell a bunch of people not to do something they are going to do exactly the opposite DK. Of course we watched it. Just don't look up the Clint Malarchuk injury on youtube.

As long as blocking shots gives Timmy McHorton an edge in the league over Vladislav Foreignov, the powers that be in Toronto will never let it go. Low scoring, clutch 'n' grab, grit over goals means the roster makeup will always need the third and fourth lines filled out by guys who would otherwise have no place if the scores were 6-4 instead of 2-1. Bettman and company know their bread and butter is made north of the 48th parallel and will do everything they can to keep the game played that way.

I'm not sure about eliminating blocked shots, but I do agree that at some point someone is going to be killed blocking a shot. It's a very interesting concept for sure

Dejan I firmly believe a great solution is to make goalie equipment even smaller than it is now

First and foremost well thought out and written with purpose in mind. Second, we are dealing with Neanderthals (with apologies to Neanderthals). The leadership of the NHL defers to the logic of toughness. They do not examine metrics further than metrics. Hence, players such as Crosby will be permitted to be mugged and blanketed and interfered with so every game ends 2-1. It's tough to watch.

Angled goalposts...interesting concept in how minor or a change but many, many more goals would be scored. The blocked shots thing sounds good in theory but is a minor penalty the best way to enforce not doing it? I just think so much of it is instinct. In the perfect world, it works (defeseman at the blue line shooting a slapshot against PK guys). The PK guys have at least a moment to think about what to do. However, last minute of a game (Pens vs. Red Wings in game 7) , a Red Wings player scrambles to a loose puck to shoot a wrist shot on Fleury and Rob Scuderi lays down/dives to the ice to block it. Wings get a powerplay and potentially win the game because of that? Plus ticky tacky calls going down to block a pass instead of a shot. I just can't see it working in reality, especially not with so many other refereeing issues.

Bury the blocked shot? Thank you thank you thank you, DK, for expressing what I've been thinking for a long time (but was hesitant to do so thinking I'd be considered nuts). Shot blocking has become such an integral part of the game for so long that most probably don't remember a time when it was not routine but rather rare. I can recall a time when the Pens had ONE player who blocked shots routinely -- about once a game it seemed -- and that was Dave Burrows. Now, it is strangling the game as much in my opinion as clutching and grabbing. Kill the blocked shot.

You Americans, always trying to change our game. Alberta farmboys sacrificing their lives for the glory of Don Cherry is what we love..........how dare you.

Someone told me there was hockey game played today.

True?

Let's hope MAF got them all out of his system for next 5 games.

No per game stats to back it up but recall lot of blocked shots in playoffs of our 09 Cup run. And not as many in our playoff failures since then.

Then again, maybe my memory is just playing tricks on me.

The ban on blocked shots is a great idea. Think about it, and sorry for the baseball spin on this, but a THIRD BASE COACH, was killed by a foul line drive. Only one ball player died from a hit in the head. Now think about diving in front of a 100 mile slapshot. Its just a matter of time

Besides the changes in defensive strategies, I find the ridiculous increases in the size of goaltender's pads to be the more obvious culprit. Before the mid to late 90's the emphasis was on more athletic and agile goaltending (i.e. Vernon, Hasek, Richter) to cut down on scoring chances. Now, we have 6'7" behemoths wearing 2 mattresses who essentially play their angles and eliminate any chance of scoring on the fly. With these monsters in net, teams are able to block shots, clear chances in front to decrease goals. It's an easy change to significantly cut down the size of the pads/chest protector and it won't impact the safety of the player. It can also be used to satisfy the Traditionalist contingent in that it's the way Gordie, Wayne, and Mario saw the goalies. If it was good enough for them, why not now? Say what you want about the NFL, but they are progressive and aggressive about advancing their brand. They know that healthy stars and high scores butter their bread, and will stop at nothing to ensure it stays heavily buttered.

Here's another suggestion. How about the referees call penalties when an infraction occurs by its definition in the book. I'm talking about all of the interference, cross checking, and holding that goes on without a whistle.

Here's another: make the neutral zone trap illegal. Give out a minor penalty and call it illegal defense. Then watch the speed of the game increase and up and down action become more commonplace.

Dejan, et al... Penalize shot blocks in the final 5 minutes of a period... Agree with returning goalie equipment to pre-2000 levels... Increase stick curve to allow for more erratic shots (there's a reason for the restrictions)... End the leaguewide conspiracy to protect gretzky's records. What has protecting those benchmarks dive for the NHL?

But KIng Henrik in NY would have a bloated GAA, we can't have that!

You nailed it, as always. If shot-blocking is nothing more than a unwanted necessity just to butter up a coach's ego, it has to go.

Dejan, you know I respect you, however I can not agree with your perspective on blocked shots. Having grown up playing hockey; we were required to wear face masks and neck protectors. (I disagree with the premise that increased protection creates less agility - simply because everyone in the sport grew up with those same equipment 'restrictions) I didn't watch the Pro Bowl last night because the game is a parody of itself. Though by your logic and argument I suppose you would suggest there should be no kickoffs or punt returns either. Should Baseball have been hit off a Tee instead of introducing Batting Helmets? If the argument is we have to protect some from themselves I mainly disagree. I think millions of Americans would trade living 80 years of life for 50 years of making millions. Its neither right nor wrong. I don't get paid to wear a seat belt, but I do everyday. Humans didn't get rid of cars, they added seat belts... Don't change the game, change the components. Can't wait for the rebuttal and metaphors on my metaphors!

I do agree that blocking a shot is dangerous, and it takes some major you know what to stand in front of one but, you can't just take them out of the game.

For me this is the same argument as the clocks in baseball. Scoring won't increase the popularity of the game. Taking blocked shots out of the game would be like baseball telling teams they can't use defensive shifts anymore. Or saying defenses can't blitz in the NFL.

I do agree with cutting down goalie equipment size. I think that is one way to increase goals if that is what you are looking for.

Problems with hockey are: no major exposure for minor league talent.. Unlike college football. And Fantasy hockey isn't easily played. And last but not least- most players are from outside the U.S. Hard to root for someone you've never heard of unless they are on your team. Need more homegrown talent. Until someone can figure those out, hockey won't be popular in the US

Sounds like no one blocked any shots for Flower yesterday. ;)

I like the concept of a penalty for leaving your feet to block a shot, especially as a safety measure. (Presuming you did not mean the goalies). It will indeed result in more goals scored.

Not sure that what you call an "angled" post would not be a safety issue itself if a guy slid into it, Dejan. Maybe you could say a little more about what you envision here.

I like that you are thinking about ways to wake the game up. Thanks for that.

incredible article, extremely insightful, and could be useful if enacted in the league

If the NHL wanted to increase scoring they could get back to calling the game as it was after the lockout. Fact is, they don't want increased scoring. Interference, hooking, mugging keeps the teams with less talent relevant. Years ago Mario said it best.... "Garage league".

As someone who plays recreationally, and blocked at least five shots last night, I can say definitively that it is absolutely possible to block shots without laying on the ice. Sure, positioning has to be better, and you have to be okay with some not so nice bruises on your shins, but it's possible. I would never lay down, and I generally wear a full cage!

But don't we love defense in football? I'd be more than happy to see the Stillers win 2-0.

The problem with outlawing blocked shots is that you'll be relying on the same officials that can't see a hold right in front of them or differentiate between a stick lift and a hook.

Hockey, especially at the speed the NHL plays, is very tough to officiate without any mistakes. That said, until the people in charge (owners) decide they want the game tightened up and get it into everyone's heads that a ref making a call doesn't decide a game, offense will take a hit.

All the new rules in the world won't matter if the officials don't call them.

You mentioned the delay of game for the puck going over the glass. While we are changing the rulebook, that should be treated exactly the same as an icing, end of story. Also, I haven't noticed the "your jersey is not tucked in" minor this year. Does that still exist?

This may be a bit off topic, but in regards to discipline, the league should be much tougher on flagrant intents to injure. My solution has always been that the player who injured the opposing player is suspended, without pay, for as long as the player they injured is out. I would think that a fair penalty for reckless behavior. Can't understand why this type of punishment isn't instigated in ANY league.

My first reaction to outlawing shotblocking was negative. But the more I thought about it.... the more I liked it.

Besides, the proposal is not to prohibit "shot blocking" per se. But merely to prohibit leaving one's skates to do so.

As for altering the goals themselves, I say no go. Instead, continue to trim the size of goalies' pads, blockers, and gloves.

Great column as usual. The only small detail I would disagree about is that, in my opinion, the obstruction is definitely creeping back into the game. I am a fan of the sport because of the skills of the talented players in the game. I never have and never will understand the concept of allowing the lower skilled players to bring down the play to their level, or of having different interpretations of what is or is not a penalty based on WHEN the play occurs time wise in the course of the game or what time of the season it is, or whether it occurs during the regular season or during the playoffs. Finally, Mr. Bettman I personally would not consider your apparent goal of having every game have a one goal differential and having every team (partially due to the dubious magic of the loser point) in contention for a playoff position on the final night of the regular season. It may be good for your myopic view of the corporate NHL, but not for the sport or the fans of the sport of hockey.

If you want a small change to increase scoring, remove the rule on kicking the puck into the net. Half the time the kicking player is being obstructed/slashed/roughed/body or stick held with no call. This would get rid of a good amount of replays as well.

I know I am in the minority, but I'd rather see it mandated that players wear full face shields and neck protectors than to ban shot blocking. If you are going to change a rule in the interest of safety, I am in the camp of getting rid of the fighting, this is also mostly addressed by a full shield rule.

Covered the Flyers-Devils playoff game in which Paul Martin's shot struck Ian Laperriere above the eye. The trail of blood began in the defensive end and ended at center ice. I've never been as physically ill covering a game as I was at that night.

Any chance of getting a comment posted?

There are a lot of presumptions in this article. Among them:

1) Would getting back that .7 of a goal per game really change anything about the game's excitement level? We're talking about one goal per 10 minutes vs. one goal per 11:08. The 80's were a total sideshow with unconscionably bad goaltending. Nobody wants to see that again. Also, they played full 20 minute overtimes in the 80's making goals per game irrelevant. The better metric would be goals per 60 minutes.

2) How many shots are blocked per game by players who are prone or on one knee vs. upright? Is this really a problem?

3) Angled goalposts would likely increase injuries among players who crash into the cages. Remember Stamkos' broken leg from last year? Imagine the post having an angle. Yikes.

4) Goals are great, and I'd argue that they're more fun when they're a little harder to come by.

How about just actually calling penalties, in particular interference? There's tons of it all game every game.

Yes, I should not have watched, but DK, you Knew we Had to. I don't want to see any of my Favorite Players injured by sacrificing their body to block shots. Hate seeing NHL players injured from any team. I didn't even like seeing a Flyer injured in that way! Goals are Fun; Injuries are NOT!!!

Changes needed but please don't make it the NBA where rules thrown out the window.. Traveling every thing is a shooting foul.. Drastic changes require *** in NHL record book..

DK, normally I'm on the same page with you, but outlawing shot blocking just seems ridiculous to me.

The easiest thing the NHL can do to increase scoring, would be to enforce the rules they already have. Call more penalties! Make it clear to the players that there is zero tolerance. If a team is on the the power play 10-15 per game, they just might score more. Then, as time goes by, teams stop with all the obstruction, and scoring will go up. It's truly that simple.

However, I know it will never happen. The NHL officiating is a complete joke. It will be even worse in the playoffs, when they allow all the obstruction to suck the skill and creativity right out of the game.