Maybe this is something SimonT might be able to comment on. Anyway, back in the beginning flicking wasn't legal - there's always room for change. A rule like that would probably put the pressure on players to focus even more on skills.... how would you go about stealing the puck off someone if they were lifting it without committing an infringement according to the current laws? (ie you can't "tackle" them or go for the body, can't hack at the stick)