It’s becoming more and more obvious that concussions have become an epidemic in the National Hockey League. Head shots are at the root of this problem as players are increasingly showing less and less regard for their opponents by delivering violent hits to the head causing injury. Despite having no place in the game, it seems lately that rarely a week goes by where we aren’t forced to see the disturbing sight of a player laid out on the ice or taken off on a stretcher due to one of these brutal head shots.
It’s a trend that even the NHL can no longer ignore. On the heels of Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke blindsiding Boston’s Marc Savard on Sunday with a vicious hit to the head – causing a Grade 2 concussion – the issue of head shots has finally hit the front burner at this week’s General Manager Meetings in Boca Raton, Florida. While optimism reigns that the GM’s can find a solution this week, the reality is that the league has done little in the past to provide sufficient protection to its greatest asset – the players – against head injuries. Listen up, GM’s. The time to take real action is now.
Here are TSJ’s ways to get rid of head shots from the game – for good.
1) Redefine Legal Hits in the NHL Rulebook
Despite the risks, there’s no question that hits and body checks should remain an integral part of the game. But the NHL rulebook currently states that any hit delivered with a shoulder is legal – including hits to the head against players in vulnerable positions. “The hits are great until someone gets hurt,” NHL Director of Operations Colin Campbell told reporters on Monday. “The question is, do we want to take shoulders to the head out of the game of hockey?” C’mon Colin. With the growing number of serious injuries and concussions, you’d think the answer would be a resounding yes. It is indeed time to make ANY hit to the head – be it by shoulder, elbow or stick – illegal and levy major penalties against the perpetrators delivering them. While the league gets closer to penalizing head shots, I propose an automatic 5-minute match penalty and game misconduct, followed by indefinite suspension until the incident is reviewed and dealt with by the league. Which leads me to my next point…
Booth Missed 45 Games After Richards' Head Shot
2) Increase Fines and Suspensions Against Guilty Players
The league has been guilty of providing nothing more than a slap on the wrist against players who have warranted suspensions in the past for head shots or other reckless play. Philadelphia’s Mike Richards received no penalty or suspension for viciously laying out Florida’s David Booth with a head shot earlier this season. Cooke is a another great example. He’s already been suspended twice this season – each for 2 games – prior to his head shot against Savard. Clearly, players aren’t learning their lessons and larger suspensions are required. Let’s start with 8 games – or 1/10 of a player’s salary – and go from there. Also, under the current NHLPA agreement, the maximum fine that can currently be imposed by the league against any player is $2,500 USD. What a joke. I propose the NHL adopt a minimum fine of 10 times that amount – $25,000 – for any penalized head shot, whether it causes severe injury or not. The NFL does it. Why shouldn’t the NHL?
How Many More Chances Should Cooke Get?
3) Banish Multiple Offenders From The Game
Current role players like Cooke, New York’s Sean Avery and Ottawa’s Chris Neil continue to draw a fine line between gritty and reckless on a night-in and night-out basis. Despite a track record of multiple offenses and erratic on-ice behaviour, these players continue to be welcomed back by the NHL after all-too-brief suspensions to wreak more havoc on the league and its players. In the case of head hunters, the NHL should seriously look at adopting a “3-strikes and you’re out” policy to rid the game of these goons for good.
4) Improve Head Protection for Players
About a month ago, I wrote a column on the need for the NHL to improve head protection, after Montreal’s Josh Gorges took a slapshot to the head from close range. To reiterate the point I made back in February, professional hockey – as its played today – demands better helmets and face shields for its players to defend against the current rash of head injuries caused by hits, sticks and pucks to the head. An elbow or shoulder striking a proper face mask or helmet will cause a lot less damage than one delivered to an exposed jaw or face.
5) Remove “Armored” Coverings on Shoulder/Elbow Pads
This solution seems to be getting the most play around NHL circles, but happens to be the one which I subscribe to the least. The overriding feeling here is if you remove the outer plastic shells from shoulder and elbow pads, less damage would be incurred by the players absorbing the blows. But reducing the padding could actually correlate with an increase in injuries, as I believe the players need proper equipment to protect themselves from hitting the boards, the ice, the goal posts and (of course) each other.
What suggestions do you have for the elimination of head shots from hockey? TSJ would love to hear ‘em. Be sure to scroll down and add your comments below!
C’mon man… hockey’s a tough game! Guys are gonna get hit. Most head shots aren’t on purpose. 2 minute minor penalty and that’s it.
It’ll be interesting to see what the GM’s come up with… personally, I say throw the book at these guys. Hopefully, enough to deter guys from doing it again. What the hell took these guys so long? Was reading an article today that said only three years ago GM’s voted 21-9 that a vicious blindside hit by Neil on Drury was legal.
Maybe it will take a Sidney Crosby having his career ended to get some traction here. While I don’t want all head shots gone (I like fighting) one’s like the Cooke hit disgust me. Two players that want to fight each other are one thing. A player who can’t see a train coming and get’s hit by it is another all together. TSJ, the only way this get’s resolved is through suspension and large fines. Your 3 strike rule I find intriguing.
Good article. I agree with your 5 ways to get rid of them, but I also think the issue is a lot more black and white than we all believe it to be. It seems to always be the same guys who do it and the results usually lead to similar injuries (i.e. different degrees of concussion). I think NHL officials and upper management need to be bold in their ruling and throw the book at these guys. Sure, once in a while they may get it wrong (i.e. suspending Willie Mitchel for his hit), but given that it always seem to be repeat offenders anyway, things will balance out. Rules, in all sports are never perfect anyway, so why is the NHL so hellbent on attempting to create a perfect rule for this case? Proper discipline will far outweight bad one’s anyway and in the long run, it’ll help get rid of the problem. Hit to the head? automatic 10 game. 2nd time? 30 games, etc.