Paul Stewart: Are Goalies Too Coddled?

I don't think goalies are too coddled.

I do think that referees are too coddled. The NHL should let coaches and players comment on the quality of their work post-game. They should allow networks to do post-game interviews with the refs, show them controversial replays and ask them to explain the logic behind some of their calls.

I am a goalie and I have a couple of different views.
If I wish to come out of the crease and play the puck, a little bump should be expected, but not excessive bumping. Now too much interference is done by a goalie to opposing forecheckers.
As for the crease. I like to be able to move throughout my crease without some tough guy skating though it trying to hit my stick, intimidate me or such. Skaters should not be able to stand within the crease as the play moves so quickly a goalie needs time to move side to side and out and in. Granted interference penalties are in the book but having just one 200 lbs skater fall on an outstretched leg can do some serious damage to a knee. A goalie is worried about a puck and shouldn't have to worry about some gorilla dropping six feet on a vulnerable knee.
Skaters have 200' x 85' less the goalie area to skate as they see fit, a goalie deserves a small area to play the puck safely.
I do agree the equipment is too big. The equipment is safe enough so reduce the size. Let the best athletes rise to the top of the game, not necessarily the biggest.

A couple thing. First, both Pens goalies have been concussed, one by a puck the other by an elbow to the head. I puck to the head cannot be avoided but a head shot to a goalie should be review-able and result in an automatic rejection and a minimum of one game suspension. The other problem is the goalies team member knocking players into their own goalie. That is just stupid and should not negate a goal or be called for the opposing player for interference.

A couple thing. First, both Pens goalies have been concussed, one by a puck the other by an elbow to the head. I puck to the head cannot be avoided but a head shot to a goalie should be review-able and result in an automatic rejection and a minimum of one game suspension. The other problem is the goalies team member knocking players into their own goalie. That is just stupid and should not negate a goal or be called for the opposing player for interference.
- powerhouse

A player being pushed into a goalie by a defender does not negate a goal provided... and here's the gray area that pops up... the official deems the attacking player made a reasonable effort to avoid or minimize the contact.

In spirit, this means that a player who is heavily pushed off balance with no chance to react will not cause a goal to be negated but a guy who is slightly bumped and used it as an excuse to knock into the goalie will not be rewarded. Of course, these are the extremes. Lots of gray area in the middle.

I am a goalie and I have a couple of different views.
If I wish to come out of the crease and play the puck, a little bump should be expected, but not excessive bumping. Now too much interference is done by a goalie to opposing forecheckers.
As for the crease. I like to be able to move throughout my crease without some tough guy skating though it trying to hit my stick, intimidate me or such. Skaters should not be able to stand within the crease as the play moves so quickly a goalie needs time to move side to side and out and in. Granted interference penalties are in the book but having just one 200 lbs skater fall on an outstretched leg can do some serious damage to a knee. A goalie is worried about a puck and shouldn't have to worry about some gorilla dropping six feet on a vulnerable knee.
Skaters have 200' x 85' less the goalie area to skate as they see fit, a goalie deserves a small area to play the puck safely.
I do agree the equipment is too big. The equipment is safe enough so reduce the size. Let the best athletes rise to the top of the game, not necessarily the biggest.
- Monitor1

All reasonable points of view. Thanks.

I don't think goalies are too coddled.

I do think that referees are too coddled. The NHL should let coaches and players comment on the quality of their work post-game. They should allow networks to do post-game interviews with the refs, show them controversial replays and ask them to explain the logic behind some of their calls.
- Euler007

Amen.

I don't think goalies are too coddled.

I do think that referees are too coddled. The NHL should let coaches and players comment on the quality of their work post-game. They should allow networks to do post-game interviews with the refs, show them controversial replays and ask them to explain the logic behind some of their calls.
- Euler007

Since officials have it so easy, by all means bring your skates and try out for this cushy, coddled job . That, of course, is why it is so easy to recruit and retain.

BTW, the NHL bans officials from speaking to the media, under pretty much every circumstance. I never had a problem talking to the media to explain a call. The old-school guys could handle it -- at least in a pool reporter type of interaction and countless times in postgame establishment interactions. In more recent times, there's a rigidly enforced gag order. As a two-way street, there is also a ban on players and coaches being allowed to comment on the officials since they cannot respond.

The old-fashioned way of settling disputes was often done under the stands or over a few beers after the season. Either way, you just move on.

Lastly, officials have supervisors and supervisors answer to the director of officiating who answers to Hockey Ops. Officials are subject to review, fines, lost assignments, etc. Except that is kept behind closed doors where it belongs.

"Back when I played, goalies were fair game once they left the crease to play the puck. They could be physically checked off the puck or pinned to the boards the same as any other player. That factor was largely removed by subsequent rule changes. As far as the trapezoid goes, if a goalie is skilled at playing the puck, let him. There were actually more turnovers and goals when goalies could roam as they pleased."

I see this one as a cause and effect. Refs were no longer allowing goalies to be checked when leaving the crease to play the puck. So they had to adjust the rule to limit their ability to wander.

I always think back to seeing Hasek go get a puck in the corner, and then a forechecker arriving on the scene. Hasek would mostly just shield the puck with his body as the forechecker couldn't check or touch him. It was very frustrating to watch as a fan of the opposing team.

I don't think goalies are too coddled.

I do think that referees are too coddled. The NHL should let coaches and players comment on the quality of their work post-game. They should allow networks to do post-game interviews with the refs, show them controversial replays and ask them to explain the logic behind some of their calls.
- Euler007

So you want players to be open to ripping apart officials but would you be okay with officials after the game ripping apart player x or coach z?

Also these controversial calls are more likely "controversial" because the average NHL fan doesn't know the rule book inside and out, or knows the situational handbook.

Giving fans access to hearing from officials will just create more of a headache.

Thanks Paul for seeing my comment a few blogs back.

My biggest issue, there is a clear inconsistency in the way goaltender interference is determined. Whether or not the blame falls solely on the league, or the refs, or the players is up for debate.

I'm a former college goalie.

- Remove the trapezoid
- Let them play the puck anywhere behind the center red line
- Allow goalies playing the puck to be checked (but not boarded, roughed, charged, tripped, etc.) while they are in posession of the puck
-ANY contact from a defender that knocks the attacking player into the goalie shall NOT constitute goaltender interference under ANY circumstances
-ANY contact from an offensive player that knocks a defender into the goalie shall be goaltender interference
-Contact outside the painted crease area with the goaltender shall not be goaltender interference
-Contact with the goalie inside the blue painted crease aea shall be goaltender interference