The Kicking Rule

It seems like not a week goes by these days when there isn't another major controversy involving the officiating. No team sport has as much controversy around their officiating as the NHL, and it's mostly because no sport has as many rules open to interpretation as the NHL does. Even when a rule is written as explicit as possible, it veil of secrecy that surrounds "The War Room" in Toronto where all instant replay decisions are made.

You know a sport is in trouble when the biggest question facing it is what is and is not a goal. Today, we'll review the rule on the kicking motion.

You may have a better eye than me, but it seems that any time the puck goes off a skate and into the back of the net, that the league is going to review it. The best way to determine the actual outcome of this review? Flip a coin. No really. One night a player will kick the puck directly in the net, and the league will allow it, while other nights, the player will have the puck bounce off the back of his legs and into the net and the ref will say it was kicked in, even if the player never saw it.

The league has planned to look at this rule over the summer. The belief is that the rule is going to be modified so a kicking motion will be allowed as long as the blade of the skate doesn't leave the ice. Is rule going to get clearer? Maybe. Anything that takes discretion out of the hands of the officials/NHL war room in Toronto is ok in my eyes, but let's see if the NHL changes the rules at all, what the new rule is, and how it is enforced before we rush to any judgement. Sean Avery showed us how quickly the NHL can act when it knows it looks idiotic. The problem these days is showing the NHL just how foolish it can look.

Hot and Cold for the week of February 5!

Ok, so it's a few days late. I chalk that up to being lazy, but here are your 5 Hot and 5 Cold ones for the week!

Hot!

1. Miroslav Satan - he picked up 5 points in 2 games, to snap out of a slump. He's now only 41 points shy of the milestone we've all been waiting on, career point number 666.
2. Brian Sutherby - He's very hot, according to my female friends. Seriously though, I wish I had his hair.
3. The Sedin Twins - Their play, along with goaltender Roberto Luongo, has helped Vancouver keep pace with Calgary atop their division. Their ability to be photogenic has them on a collision course with the Olsen twins for world's creepiest twins.
4. Glenn Sather - His confidence in his ability to keep his job for the forseeable future is astounding. Again, this is the type of confidence one acquires when achieving the coup of acquiring Elisha Cuthbert.
5. Peter Forsberg - for playing 3 straight games without breaking a bone, getting a concussion, or getting something uh . . . crooked. This is his longest such streak of the season.

Cold!

1. Jaromir Jagr - Apparently "hip flexor" is Czech for "Inability to perform in the clutch."
2. Buffalo Sabres - Their fans were convinced that the Stanley Cup was awarded in November. Right now all they are eligible is for worst logo.
3. Florida Panthers - Losing 7-0 is one thing. Losing 7-0 to the Kings at home is quite another. I'm embarrassed the Caps have lost 3 straight to this team.
4. Scott Clemmensen's Career - He's appeared in 2 games all year despite not being injured. This is life when backing up Martin Brodeur. Conspiracy theorists will tell you that Devil's GM Lou Lamoriello has told the coaching staff not to play him, so that he will be easier to sign in the offseason without the gaudy stats. Undeniably slippery, Lou.
5. Sergei Samsonov - He cleared waivers this week. Good to know that in the post lockout era some teams can still spend money unwisely.