The Hockey News Poll of the Week

[Broken Parachute]

This was in The Hockey News poll of the week a little while ago, just wondering what everyone thinks.

Here's their results:

What should the NHL do about the much debated "puck over the glass" rule?
Treat it like an icing - 43%
Keep it the same - 28%
Give the refs discretion - 24%
No punishment - 5%

[bigmike]

i went no punishment, i think it's a ridiculous rule.

[Chriz2z]

i went no punishment, i think it's a ridiculous rule.
Same here, although I haven't watched hockey in a while.

[JezisHChrist]

I'll say treat it as an icing. The penalty is too harsh, but there should be some kind of punishment for it.

[tambo41187]

Like an Icing, this poll hurts being a sabres fans.

[bigmike]

i'm not opposed to treating it like icing, but there shouldn't be a penalty for it.

[Broken Parachute]

I say ref's discretion. If it's an obvious accident, then give the guy a break. But if it's like dont totally on purpose, treat it like an icing.

[JezisHChrist]

I wouldn't give the ref's any room for discretion, since 97% of the league's referees are idiots.

[tambo41187]

I say ref's discretion. If it's an obvious accident, then give the guy a break. But if it's like dont totally on purpose, treat it like an icing.
Meh i dont like this idea. I mean in theory it would work, but there would be far to close of calls, and i dont want games being decided by a bad judgment call on a puck over the glass.

There should be a clear cut rule, and i think it should be the same as an icing.

[tambo41187]

I wouldn't give the ref's any room for discretion, since 97% of the league's referees are idiots.
Yea for real.

[Broken Parachute]

I wouldn't give the ref's any room for discretion, since 97% of the league's referees are idiots.
Meh i dont like this idea. I mean in theory it would work, but there would be far to close of calls, and i dont want games being decided by a bad judgment call on a puck over the glass.

There should be a clear cut rule, and i think it should be the same as an icing.
Both good points.

[Broken Parachute]

Histrionics, why would you want the rule to be the same?

[histrionics22]

Keep it the same. Defensemen will maybe actually learn how to clear the puck.

It keeps the game moving and forces defensemen to make a decision. Hit it along the boards or go more towards the center of the ice in the air. It forces more turnovers and gives the more skilled players the advantage. Defensemen will actually be forced to think.

Either way, I'm not opposed to it being changed. I just like the way it is.

[JezisHChrist]

I like the whole concept about punishing players for purposely getting the puck out of play, but there are too many times when the pucks flip up on player's sticks, forcing them to lose control. It can lead to too much just because of one accidental stupid play.

They should treat it like icing.

[mikeford]

ive never had a problem with this rule.

[hockey0001]

they should keep it the same. Treating it like icing wont really do anything, since 9 times out of 10 you intentionally shoot the puck over the glass or in the defensive zone anyway, so the face off would already be there. Do not give the ref any discretion whatsoever, that only seems to cause more problems than it solves and would create a whole lot of controversy. Keeping it like it is forces the d-men to play the puck and actually do something with it, and adds more offense and flow to the game.

[crit]

i'm not opposed to treating it like icing, but there shouldn't be a penalty for it.

this is how i feel as well. if they called it icing i wouldn't be too upset, but i really don't think there should be a penalty at all.

[bigmike]

they should keep it the same. Treating it like icing wont really do anything, since 9 times out of 10 you intentionally shoot the puck over the glass or in the defensive zone anyway, so the face off would already be there. Do not give the ref any discretion whatsoever, that only seems to cause more problems than it solves and would create a whole lot of controversy. Keeping it like it is forces the d-men to play the puck and actually do something with it, and adds more offense and flow to the game.
treating it like icing will have the same effect. it'd cut down on the number of time sit occurs, but it wouldn't put the team on the penalty kill, which they shouldn't be for shooting it over the glass. however, the threat of not being able to change will deter them from firing it into the stands much like it cut down on the number of icings in the typical game.

[xThursdayxPTWx]

Obviously being a Sabres fan it sucks, but maybe instead of bitching about it the team should've been more focused on killing the penalty. Anyway, I don't like or dislike the rule and this season was a joy to watch moreso than any other season, and this was one tiny element of why the game was more entertaining, so I say keep it. However, I wouldn't be opposed if it was changed to an icing either.