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Last season players were allowed a half-an-inch curve. This year, that amount was increased to three quarters. So what does this mean to the fans? Probably not much. What about the players themselves? To them, it's a big change. That quarter-of-an inch can put more speed on their shot.

Who wouldn't want that? Actually, a lot of players. Most of the veterans have been playing 8, 10, maybe 15 years with the same curve on their sticks. That curve is what they know, who they are. Think of it has their security blanket.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm sure a few will try it out during practices just to check it out. In fact, some may even make the switch. But don't expect John Leclair or Eric Lindros to come out with new blades.

For other players, the new stick rule is a blessing. Not that they'll be changing their curves, but now their sticks will be legal or at least closer to the limit. Players who were using illegal sticks last year would use them in certain situations during the games, like power plays, and then change back to legal sticks when their shift ended.

Last season, Jaromir Jagr was caught with an illegal stick twice in one game. During the Rangers-Thrashers game on March 9th, the Thrashers had Jagr's stick measured 1:48 into overtime. It was found to be illegal.

Then, before the shootout during the curve-measuring ceremony (which thankfully is gone), Jagr's stick (yes, a different one) was also found to be illegal. After the game, Jagr defended himself by saying "I'll bet all my money I've got legal sticks," according to New York Daily News. He also went on to say, " It depends on how you measure it, you have to measure it from the bottom."

Don Koharski, the veteran referee who measured Jagr's stick, said he placed the measuring device where he deemed the blade and shaft met. "It wasn't close. No matter where I put it, it wasn't legal."

Players who are caught with an illegal stick this year will be fined according to the new NHL rule. If a player is caught with an illegal stick during regulation or overtime, he will get a minor penalty and a $200 fine for the first offense.

If the player is caught twice in the same season, he will get a minor penalty and a $1,000 fine. For a third offense, the player receives a game misconduct penalty and an automatic one-game suspension. The suspension will double for each violation thereafter.

As I mentioned earlier, the oh-so-slow mandatory stick checks that were slowing everything down before the shootouts are gone. Now, an opposing club can request a measurement of a shooter's stick before his attempt.

If the stick is found illegal, then the offending player cannot participate in the shootout and his team would forfeit that shootout attempt. That team would also be fined $5,000 and the player would be fined $1,000.

Now if the stick is legal, the team that requested the measurement would forfeit its next shooter's turn and that player can't shoot until all other eligible players have participated. Now here is the kicker - that team would also be fined $5,000 and the coach would be fined $1,000.

So if they're thinking about calling for a measurement on a player's stick on the opposing team, they better be extremely confident that player has an illegal stick.

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