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In yesterday's blog, I discussed how the crease is not necessarily a safe haven for goaltenders under the NHL Rule Book despite the blue paint that would suggest otherwise. The rules about goaltender interference are actually situational, and sometimes counterintuitive.
I understand why goalies get riled up about keeping attacking players out of the crease. I'm in favor of more stringently protecting goalies by more effectively dissauding opposing players from crashing into them in the crease.
However, it seems to me that goalies want to have their cake and eat it, too.
1) They like the heavy emphasis on shot-blocking in today's game, but only until one of their teammate accidentally deflects the puck on a partial block or when they unknowingly create a screen and the puck gets through. Then they stare daggers through their mask at the offending teammate. Most goalies have the good sense not to throw teammates under the bus publicly, but people who are not in the heat of battle on the ice may be surprised that it's hardly uncommon for players and their own goalie to periodically get more peeved with each other during a game than with the opposing goalie. Of course, all is forgotten afterwards, especially after a win.
2) 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.
3) Goalie equipment has sometimes between reduced in maximum size by changes in the NHL rule book, but it has not gone far enough in my view. It's still too big and more about blocking the puck -- more and more goalies these days are blockers not savers -- than about protection. First we fix the goalies equipment and we will see more goals without players crashing the net. Reduced the collisions at the net, and there are fewer goalie injuries. One feeds into the other.
All in all -- and I guess I won't be getting a Christmas card from the "Goalies' Union" this year, although I actually hold their importance to the team in the highest regard -- the tail is still wagging the dog. Goalies want it every which way and, of course, it's inevitably to suit themselves and make an admittedly tough job a little easier rather than doing what's good for the game and realizing that every other goalie will be in the same boat, too.
Ultimately, I think it should be an either/or choice. Goalies deserve either to get maximum protection in the crease (with the exception being a stray skate that in no way affects a goal) OR to keep the pads as is. If they want the crease all to themselves at all times, they should lose width on the pads and gloves.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.