The NHL’s ice hockey rule book is expected to undergo changes in order to give more protection to goaltenders.

This move was set to be a counter action to some recent incidences. Most recently was a playoff game where Sean Avery, a New York Rangers forward, stood in front of New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur and waved his arms with the intention to distract him.

The changes to the rule book would make attempts such as these as “an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to the offending player”

In my opinion changes like these are always a big deal. If players are seriously going to stoop to a level where they have to wave their arms around like children then yes they should get penalized. However this “unsportsmanlike conduct” can be open to interpretation and when things aren’t clearly defined, there is going to be a lot of individual interpretation and a lot of unhappy recipients of a penalty. Once this kicks in be prepared to let the conspiracy theories fly.

This one is hard to judge. The greatest of any sports always comes down to personal opinion no matter how you try to look at it. Some would argue that points aren’t the only thing that matters. When it comes to greatness there is a lot of things to consider.
According to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s special point system here are their picks for the greatest goaltenders.

1. Patrick Roy
2. Dominik Hasek
3. Glenn Hall
4. Jacques Plante
5. Ken Dryden
6. Martin Brodeur
7. Terry Sawchuk
8. Ed Belfour
9. Tony Esposito
10. Bill Durnan

The early buzz for the Hart Trophy is on Sidney Crosby and Roberto Luongo, with Nicklas Lidstrom thrown in for good measure. But there’s a guy out there named Vinny Lecavalier who just can’t seem to get his due.

In 2006-07, Lecavalier led the Tampa Bay Lightning and the league with 52 goals. But Crosby won the Hart after winning the Art Ross Trophy with 120 points (36 goals, 84 assists). Alan Ryder’s Player Contribution rankings had Lecavalier first at 135, while Crosby was in sixth place at 123.

Lecavalier is having yet another brilliant season in Tampa. At press time, he was two points ahead of Crosby for first place in scoring at 63 – that’s after just 45 games. But the Lightning are buried on the back pages and desperate for some goaltending. Crosby is getting the star treatment; he should eventually eclipse Lecavalier on the ice, but for now, don’t believe the hype.

This is turning into the Year of the Goalie. Thirteen of them had save percentages of .920 or better heading into Sunday’s action. And you won’t find names like Roberto Luongo, Martin Brodeur and Dominik Hasek anywhere near that list.

Here’s who you will find in the Top 5:

Pascal Leclaire (.953): Five shutouts in nine games suggest the Columbus prospect has finally arrived.

Dan Ellis (.952): Nashville honked one by letting Tomas Vokoun go to Florida, but Ellis saved the day (for now) with four straight wins, including two shutouts.

Tim Thomas (.946): Taking full advantage of Manny Fernandez’ knee injury. Getting the job done for the Bruins this season.

Martin Biron (.940): Cast aside in Buffalo, but leading the Flyers’ surge back to respectability.

Henrik Lundqvist (.939): Don’t blame him for the ’ slow start. Three shutouts this season and only one shootout goal allowed in six attempts.