That's exactly what I've been saying (and attacked for saying) for ages!

I personally have never felt too bad about using the old first knuckle to push the puck sideways because it seems like a ridiculous distinction between such subtle variations in how you hold your stick (note that you are currently allowed to move the puck sideways with your finger as long as its tightly wrapped around your stick, which can be achieved by a funny shaped handle or a massive knuckle on your glove). I also think that what you do to the puck is far less important than what opposition players do to your body (excepting extreme circumstances such as picking the puck up) and gets far too much attention from referees. Gloving is just so easy to see and call, but use of the free arm or even being grabbed off the puck isn't.

As far as reforming the rule goes, it would be hard write a rule to allow use of the fingers in the way that currently occurs anyway as you point out, but which disallows fully outstretched fingers or actual grabbing of the puck. But hey, if you can think of a way for me to be allowed to do what I allegedly might do occasionally, .... but never get caught for...

On second thoughts, don't bother