A Perfect Circle?

This thread (http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=51655) contains a link to an article which has a different twist on the proposed rule change.

As far as straying from the crease goes, Darren Pang of ESPN is correct when he says that half the goalies in the league actually create scoring chances for the opposing team when they stray from the crease. SFM recommends that the blue crease area in front of the net form a complete circle around the goal. Goalies would be able to roam in a circle around the net without fear of being checked but would be fair game if they leave the protective blue circle.

Thoughts?
}:-)>

This thread (http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=51655) contains a link to an article which has a different twist on the proposed rule change.



Thoughts?
}:-)>
You know, I saw a poster had a similar thought just the other day in the NHL talk forum saying maybe the league just do the same thing that Lacrosse does. He or she posted a picture of the circular crease in that thread as well. So many similar threads though with all the proposed rule changes that its not easy to locate.

That's why I posted the link to the thread and not to the article itself (didn't want to take credit for something I didn't do).
Now this might sound stupid to anyone who knows more about hockey than I do (and considering my esteemed company...that's probably quite a few people) but as far as the rule about playing the puck behind the goal line - why not make it a simple stop in play instead of a penalty, and enforce it only during 5-on-5 situations in regulation. Furthermore, make the rule such that the goalie cannot leave the crease to play the puck behind the line until a forechecker enters the offensive zone, then the goalie can play it anywhere it lays.
...and the Billy Smith rule, too
Or should I lay off the pipe?
<(-:**

As a Devils fan, the rule about playing the puck seems very discouraging, some teams may actually be better because of it. Out of the proposed new rules, this is the only one I don't like.

I have heard that some of the talk on the rule is a stoppage in play for a goalie playing the puck behind the goal-line, not a penalty. Someone (maybe Matt & the Maven) asked, "What are they going to do if a goalie does it a few times, give a penalty?" Marty Brodeur did say something about penalties though.

The Carolina game showed that a goalie playing the puck behind the goal-line does not limit goal scoring. Martin Brodeur threw the puck around the boards to Ron Francis, who put the puck right into the vacated net.

Don Cherry on CBC's "the Coach's Corner" segment of Hockey Night in Canada said he doesn't think this rule will go into effect. Here is the link. (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnic/coach.html)

I hope he is right because it doesn't seem like it would do much good. Things like shorter and smaller goalie pads would help. The tag-up offside is good. Allowing two-line passes would create a great deal of excitement.