Torres' Non-Suspension

See here.  This keeps getting worse. 

Apparently, the NHL has mandated that the area behind the net is designated as a hitting area.  They've identified an area of the ice where all other rules are relaxed when talking about illegal hits.  In order to "keep hitting in the game", they want to ensure that players are given more leeway when hitting behind the net.  What is the problem with this?  Lets count the problems:

1. The most significant problem is that you are left with rules applied in certain areas of the ice and not in others.  This is an inconsistancy in an area where inconsistancy is not allowed - player safety.

2. Optics.  After the recent suspensions of Cooke and Torres, letting Raffi Torres off with this hit just looks bad.  It makes the NHL look inconsistant, weak and confused.  I'd bet that Torres already missing two playoff games had input to this decision - "We can't suspend him for more PLAYOFF games, can we?"

3. We're talking about behind the net here - players can (and do) take a run from centre ice and hit a player at full steam.  This is the most dangerous part of the ice due to the speeds players can gain, as well as not being able to see a steamrolling player due to the crowd in front of the net.  Not only is the rule inconsistant.  Not only does it look bad.  It's really stupid.

One other thing - why isn't the NHLPA screaming about this?  Isn't that a hostile workplace?

What is the reason we have this "rule"?

I started to write the answer to this question, but it will have to be another post.  The answer is too long.  Coming soon.