But the fact that the NHL is willing to resume the fight is an encouraging sign. Surely the league's bigwigs realize that their credibility erodes with every failed campaign. They know they risk the ridicule of reporters and pundits from sea to sea if another autumn of zero tolerance is followed by another spring of anything goes.

A little less carping in the media would help. When referees insist on calling it by the book, it isn't long before some TV muppet raises his voice in protest, issuing the old line that "the referees are deciding the game." Somehow this argument is still taken seriously, even though its fallacy is self-evident: If a penalty is called near the end of a close game, it's not the referee who is influencing the outcome. It's the player who committed the infraction. The referee is only doing what he is paid to do.

Early training camp reports suggest that NHL teams are teaching the new standards and preparing for a brave new world of glorious ice dancing. But you know every coach keeps the old game plan in his back pocket. While they all claim to be onside with the crusade, every one of them will be watching like hawks for the first signs of a backslide. A coach's first job is to win games, not work for the greater good.

So will it work this time, or will the latest crackdown on obstruction and interference confirm the NHL's inability to police itself? We won't know until April, during a big playoff game, when the Colorado Avalanche are on the attack and Joe Sakic streaks through centre ice looking for a pass. An opponent, trying to catch up, will grab the back of Sakic's sweater or reach out a stick to tug at his pants. It will be a brief move, but enough to make up half a step and take Sakic out of the play. Do we hear a whistle?

Previous page > The Campaign Resumes > Page 1, 2