Comments on: NHL General Managers Finally Act on Headshots. Sort Of.

By: Prax

Prax — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:27:45 +0000

I don’t mean to plug, but I wrote a long article on my site about this… my stance on this is that it’s a start. I just hope the league will actually do something with what they’ve announced today and not just use it as a quick fix to get everyone to shut up about the matter. I’m willing to see where this goes. But Campbell’s inaction in regards to the Cooke on Savard his is inexcusable. He should have been suspended for one of the many reasons Kyle pointed out.

Anyway, the blog, is anyone wants to read what I summarized above: http://www.thecheckingline.com/blog/george-prax/nhl/its-start-gms-take-stance-against-head-shots

By: Kevin Burgundy

Kevin Burgundy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:01:02 +0000

I like the way Tyler put it, as well. To me, establishing a “definite need to do something” was the absolute bare minimum thing to do.

It’s what any of us would have done years ago. Why the hockey media is praising this is beyond me. I flat out question how much GMs and Campbell care about the players safety if its taken this long to react. This shouldn’t be about “keeping the game the way it is”. As it is right now, the game is dangerous.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:18:31 +0000

@Tyler – what a great way to put it: “It seems as though they came away from the meeting doing just enough to not be accused of not doing anything.” Really nice!

@Justin – Why on earth they would bother to go through all of this discussion, only to further embarass themselves. This needed to be swift and decisive, and it’s just the opposite.

@Chris – I think the first thing that needs to happen is players need to be re-educated. I really do. And of course, the stiffer penalties.

To further my point, to fall back on the rules and wash your hands of it because you set a precedent with the non-suspension to Richards is lame and spineless. The NHL, Bettman, Campbell, the GMs, and the players union all ought to be ashamed of themselves. They all share blame in this, and they all need to give their heads a shake before someone rattles it for them.

All that said…can’t wait for the Penguins/Bruins rematch on March 18th. It will be a highly rated game in the U.S. just wait and see. And whatever problems stem from that game will be well deserved as far as I’m concerned.

By: Chris Nadeau

Chris Nadeau — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:38:08 +0000

Kyle, thanks for sharing your opinion. If anything it is a start. However, like you mentioned, I think safety has to become apart of the culture of the game and is #1 priority? Because right now it seems like we are trying to have both. This will be a major overhaul, but it should start somewhere.

I certainly think that part of what makes hockey a great game is that it is a hard physical battle. But, I do think the game can be improved by making changes. Too many kids are getting serious life-altering injuries that are avoidable. I’m not saying we can take the game to a 5-star safety rating, nor would we want to, but I think the NHL will continue to have pressure as long as these incidents continue.

By: Justin Kendrick

Justin Kendrick — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:08:23 +0000

Great article. After reading the description of what kind of hit will be targeted for this new rule I thought they hit the nail on the head (so to speak). But totally agree that the punishment is ridiculous.

If you look at the penalty/discipline for players that fight at the end of a game I think that should be applied to the head shots. It’s automatic, do not pass go, do not collect a million dollars. Make it a standard 1 game, then leave it to the league to apply more games. 1 is small but 1 is a hell of a lot better than 0. This should, SHOULD also effect “superstars” because it will be an automatic wheel of justice.

It seems like the NHL is making a good step towards resolving whatever the hell happened with all the players going head hunting crazy but 2 minutes in the box or even 5 seems like a waste of time.

Justin
@hockeycardshow

By: Tyler @ NHL Digest

Tyler @ NHL Digest — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:05:40 +0000

Kyle,
I agree that the new suggestion is not nearly enough. It seems as though they came away from the meeting doing just enough to not be accused of not doing anything.
With reference to intent to injure. There is no such penalty in the NHL Rulebook. There is a rule “Intent to injure an official” however.