I believe it has to be a distinct kicking motion that propels the puck directly from the force of the puck having been kicked.

It is not deemed to be a kicking motion if the skate blade is used to redirect the puck and there is added impetus from a direct kick.

Under this guideline a goal is allowable even if a player purposely directs the puck into the net with his skate, so long as he does not accelerate the movement of the puck with a kicking motion.

It seems easy enough to explain but hard to interpret in the midst of the action. Maybe the best rule would be to allow goals where the puck is kicked into the net. You are allowed to kick the puck anywhere on the ice but not into the goal.
- spatso

They need to take the stupid rule out of the game. The "safety" argument made sense in the days of bad equipment. If you score you score. Simple as if you slam your ass into the puck or headbutt it in. I'm fine with the high stick rule, but could be convinced against it as wel.

Just watched it for the first time.

I would have refused that goal if I was reffing.

But that's just me.
- Scabeh

Damn Scabs, you're like, a million people

I hate it too but the league doesn’t want to fix it. The rule is written this way so more goals are produced which helps marketing.
- Dozzer

You'd think they'd care more about looking stupid with all the inconsistencies it shows.

But if they don't even care about how bad the officiating is, then I guess it makes sense they don't care about that, either.

It's insane.

I like how when Doughty won, he brought up how Weber has never won it, and called it a joke.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Problem is he was always competing with guys like Chara, Keith, and even Lidstrom.

Did he deserve it? Yes. Did the guys he typically lost to deserve it as well? Also yes.

Just watched it for the first time.

I would have refused that goal if I was reffing.

But that's just me.
- Scabeh

You'd think they'd care more about looking stupid with all the inconsistencies it shows.

But if they don't even care about how bad the officiating is, then I guess it makes sense they don't care about that, either.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Like I said I hate it too, but it’s because the league wants more goals scored plain and simple

That is exactly what happened. He literally kicked it in.

Puck is going 10 feet wide, he kicks his foot forward and kicks it in. By literal definition, he kicked it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I'm not arguing he didn't kick the puck. He did.

I'm arguing that he did not "propel" the puck. As in, the puck did not speed up after hitting his skate ( if it did speed up, it was extremely marginal).

The refs made the right call, according to the rulebook.

I'm not arguing he didn't kick the puck. He did.

I'm arguing that he did not "propel" the puck. As in, the puck did not speed up after hitting his skate ( if it did speed up, it was extremely marginal).

The refs made the right call, according to the rulebook.
- Leafs43

Since when are the Refs following the rulebook?

You'd think they'd care more about looking stupid with all the inconsistencies it shows.

But if they don't even care about how bad the officiating is, then I guess it makes sense they don't care about that, either.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I honestly don't care about specific rules much at all, whatever. But if you're going to have the rules then enforce the rules.

You are basically allowed to kick the puck into the net though.

He didn't propel it. And the rule states it has to be propelled to be a distinct kicking motion.

Stupid definition. But that play has been a good goal for years.
- Leafs43

The game will evolve soon. Simmonds and Bunting will switch their skates for the PP and put on 24" blades. Stand at the far side of the net in a ballet pose (my daughter would call that 1st position) and tell the shooter/passer to aim low for the blades.

Bank shots!

Since when are the Refs following the rulebook?

- Scabeh

The only book the refs follow is the unwritten book of the road.

Gah. My brain swapped him with Duncan Keith. You're right. I should've known because he's a stinky Hab and all.
- Monkeypunk

Campbell also never won, but it's not a big deal. The Norris after 2000 is basically the Nik Lidstrom is alive trophy + some other guys maybe?

I'm not arguing he didn't kick the puck. He did.

I'm arguing that he did not "propel" the puck. As in, the puck did not speed up after hitting his skate ( if it did speed up, it was extremely marginal).

The refs made the right call, according to the rulebook.
- Leafs43

Is the rule not "distinct kicking motion"?

Because again, it's distinct. It's a straight up soccer kick.

The only book the refs follow is the unwritten book of the road.
- TheMussel

Do you follow the good book Mussel?

Is the rule not "distinct kicking motion"?

Because again, it's distinct. It's a straight up soccer kick.
- GreatGigInTheSky

If the puck doesn’t obviously speed up as well it’s not considered a kick.

I'm not arguing he didn't kick the puck. He did.

I'm arguing that he did not "propel" the puck. As in, the puck did not speed up after hitting his skate ( if it did speed up, it was extremely marginal).

The refs made the right call, according to the rulebook.
- Leafs43

Agreed.

I'm aging quickly but if my memory serves me right ...part of the reason they didn't want any kicking motion was player safety. This new 'rule' is going to possibly mean a lot more lifting of blades in and around the crease.

Do you follow the good book Mussel?
- AdamFrench

If it'll get me a couple hundred miles down the road. It's the new millennium.

I hate the fact it was a goal and I hate the rule.

I also hate that the definition of "kick" make what happened (arguably) not a kick but rather a redirection with the skate.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick

I think in the attempt to have more goals scored (read sell hockey to non-traditional US markets) they have cheapened the game and made it a joke.

It's hockey - where you try to put the puck in the net with a stick, not your head, hands, or feet FFS. Seriously how long before the league decides "we need moar goalzzzz" and says no more high stick limitations on a deflection, and you can use your head, hands or feet in any manner but you just can't pick up the puck and throw it into the net.

And the limitation on throwing it is only because they have it earmarked as an 'exciting new rule change' for 5 years later.

It's hockey keep it at hockey.

The NHL as a pro sports league is a joke in so many ways.

Did baseball make a change where you can use something other than a bat to hit the ball? Can you kick a basketball into a net for a 3 pointer in the NBA? Did any soccer league suddenly say you can use your arms or hands to 'direct' the ball as long as you don't throw it?

Ugh.

I didnt watch much pre season but I feel like the Leafs held onto guys longer than other teams...guys like Muzzin, Holl, JT are obviously still shaking off rust. They should have been in more pre season games.

Is the rule not "distinct kicking motion"?

Because again, it's distinct. It's a straight up soccer kick.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I would 100% agree with you. Except the NHL has created their own definition for "distinct kicking motion"

According to the NHL rule book, Rule 37.4, a “distinct kicking motion” will be deemed no-goal.

Plays that involve a puck entering the net as a direct result of a “distinct kicking motion” shall be ruled NO GOAL. A “distinct kicking motion,” for purposes of Video Review, is one where the video makes clear that an attacking Player has deliberately propelled the puck with a kick of his foot or skate and the puck subsequently enters the net

That whole "propelled" thing basically means that the puck needs to not be moving, or moving very slowly prior to being kicked in order to fit into their definition of "distinct kicking motion"

I hate the fact it was a goal and I hate the rule.

I also hate that the definition of "kick" make what happened (arguably) not a kick but rather a redirection with the skate.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick

I think in the attempt to have more goals scored (read sell hockey to non-traditional US markets) they have cheapened the game and make it a joke.

It's hockey - where you try to put the puck in the net with a stick, not your head, hands, or feet FFS. Seriously how long before the league decides "we need moar goalzzzz" and says no more high stick limitations on a deflection, and you can use your head, hands or feet in any manner but you just can't pick up the puck and throw it into the net.

And the limitation on throwing it is only because they have it earmarked as an 'exciting new rule change' for 5 years later.

It's hockey keep it at hockey.

The NHL as a pro sports league is a joke in so many ways.

Did baseball make a change where you can use something other than a bat to hit the ball? Can you kick a basketball into a net for a 3 pointer in the NBA? Did any soccer league suddenly say you can use your arms or hands to 'direct' the ball as long as you don't throw it?

Ugh.
- Cush29

you can, if it's not intentional

Campbell also never won, but it's not a big deal. The Norris after 2000 is basically the Nik Lidstrom is alive trophy + some other guys maybe?
- AdamFrench

Well . . who the Hell was I thinking of? I must have referenced the same list twice! I was surprised he was paid that much, and then I was surprised that he'd won a Norris. Campbell was . . . basically Brian McCabe.

you can, if it's not intentional
- TheMussel

Sure find the one weird rule I mentioned that is insanely true! lol

So why don't more guys do it then? lol

Advanced stat guy JFresh says he is basically the best 5v5 Dman in the league.

Another thing I did not know.
- Leafs43

He is probably the best play driver D in the league. Its why he is an elite D...He isnt the best defensively but when he's on the ice he gets the puck into the other teams end and creates chances.

If the puck doesn’t obviously speed up as well it’s not considered a kick.
- Dozzer

The rule is even worse, then.

Distinct kicking motion is in the rule, but they'll straight up ignore it.

Like I said, inconsistencies. The league needs to fix it.