The Detroit Red Wings admit that they are somewhat confused. The players say they still don’t quite get the NHL’s new crackdown on slashing, and the evidence is there for all to see.

The Wings were shorthanded seven times during Saturday’s 2-1 shootout win at Ottawa over the Senators, and four of the fouls that they were called for were slashing minors.

“I’m kind of frustrated because I never thought there was a big issue with it,” said defenseman Trevor Daley, who was assessed one of those four slashing minors. “A slash is a slash. There’s some little ones that you question. I think it’s tough to get rhythm in the game when all you’re doing is killing penalties or on the power play.

“People pay a lot of money to come watch some players play that just sit on the bench because they don’t kill penalties, or they’re not on the power play. I don’t know, it’s kind of counter-productive. I don’t know what they’re trying to get out of it. I don’t really see what the problem was before. I thought the game was fine.”

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who was also called for a slash Saturday on Senators forward Kyle Turris, echoed Daley’s assessment, but was quick to own up to his own infraction.

“My penalty, it’s not doing any good doing that,” Ericsson said. “That’s just a reflex from my side, I’ve always done that. I kind of hit him there a little bit on the side, to have him go a certain way. I don’t want him to go inside of me, so I show him that I’m there. It’s not to hurt him or anything.

“Obviously they want those out of the game and in my mind that’s just a very stupid penalty. So I think we’re going to see very inconsistent calls in the first little bit here.”

While the Wings players sought to make the issue about what is or isn’t a slash, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill believes the matter is very cut and dried - just don’t slash.

“We deserved those slashing penalties, so make sure we keep our stick on the ice, make sure we keep stick on puck,” Blashill said. “It does no good to be slashing around the hands. That’s 100 percent. I didn’t think we had a huge issue with it through the preseason, but it obviously was a huge issue the other night.

“We’ve got to do a way better job with it. That’s my message to the players.”

Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer

Join the Discussion: » 11 Comments » Post New Comment

» Five of Last Six First Rounders To Start Season In AHL

» Zadina, Veleno sent down

» Opening-Night Roster Not Set In Stone

» Back Where Pro Hockey Started

» Abdelkader Looking To Bounce Back