It's certainly not an epidemic, but they're already allowed, so why not allow them in the O zone? it's a dumb rule. As for purists, I don't think that's a hot take either, everyone knows they're the worst part of anything - and the irony is that they always remember a certain time in sepia tones and are pure to that time, which is completely random.
- James_Tanner
I agree allowing hand passes at one end of the ice and not the other is dumb, but I'd rather get rid of them all together.
Let's say in the Sharks/Blues scenario Meier sticks his hand out to play the puck, like he did, and a Blues defenseman slashes his hand while also trying to play the puck and breaks a bone. Does he get a penalty for slashing? He's trying to legally play the puck, Meier is illegally doing so. Does he get fined or suspended? I'd imagine not, since he was trying to make a play on the puck, not injure a player, but you never know with the DoPS.
Now, same scenario, but hand passes are legal. Meier sticks his hand out for the puck, gets hit with the stick of the dman and breaks a bone. Now they're both attempting legal plays on the puck. Is it a slashing penalty now? A fine or suspension?
I'm up for any changes that highlights the players' skills. I don't see allowing hand passes highlighting skill. Any dummy can swat at a puck with their mitt.