A New Year, A New Rule

BOCA RATON, FLA.--Don't worry hockey fans. Stand down, Mike Milbury.

The NHL isn't ready to take the hitting out of hockey. Anybody who thinks probably dreams every day about the wonderful possibilities of going back to the old no-helmet days, horsehair goalie pads and tube skates.

What the NHL's general managers will do on Wednesday, it appears, is propose a new rule that will limit the ability of players to strike opponents in the head with shoulder hits.

That's really all we're talking about.

Scott Stevens, were he still playing, would still be able to lay out Eric Lindros, were he still playing, in the same way he did back in 2000. Straight on, elbow down, shoulder to jaw.

There's no appetite out there to take that type of hit out of the NHL game.

But what NHL players won't be able to do any more without penalty and possible suspension is crack another player in the head with a shoulder pad from the side or the back.

Is that going to irretrievably alter the sport? No, of course not.

The guiding philosophy behind the new rule will be to protect "vulnerable" players, or players who simply cannot see a dangerous hit coming and can't protect themselves. It was drawn up by a group of eight GMs today and will be presented to the all 30 execs today for final approval.

"We've all got to look at the bigger picture," said Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero, whose player, Matt Cooke, was the latest to deliver one of these controversial hits when he laid out Boston's Marc Savard on Sunday.

Savard may miss the rest of the season, according to Boston GM Peter Chiarelli. NHL vice-president Colin Campbell has not yet decided whether Cooke should face supplementary discipline.

The rule would be implemented for next season, but would have to be approved by the NHL competition committee - which includes five players - and the league's board of governors.

Comments

[PAT]

Isn't shoulder to jaw still a head shot, in fact that type of hit is exactly what causes concussions. The real damage from concussion can be delayed for years, then the affects are devastating. The CFL and NFL are just starting to realize this, it;s time for the NHL to wake up.

[Simmer]

Players already abuse the hitting from behind rule by turning their back to protect the puck along the boards. What is going to happen once the supposed "Head Hit" rule comes in place?

[snacker]

It's the LATE hits that need the cracking down...where the puck has left and the guy gets hi head taken off when the play has moved on. A hit like Ovechkin on Jagr in the Olympics was perfect!! Watch the replays of the Richards on Booth and Cooke on Savard - both shots were delivered after the player had rid himself of the puck!!!

[B. M.]

Hey Damian, I support removing blindside hits to the head from the game and the rule as laid out by yourself, I'm good with.

But I sure am worried physical hockey is the true target here. Bobcat has gone almost religious on this issue. What he's recommending will surely remove all physical or intimidation aspects from the game. Basically, hitting could no longer contain 'intent' and would change the onus from 'keep your head up' to 'does he see me coming'. What would stop a player from getting the puck, gluing his head to the ice, and skating towards the opponents net - comfortable in the idea no one can touch him?

Should this ever occur, I simply won't watch anymore (35+ years). I enjoy a hockey game filled with intensity, hard hits, fights borne of emotion - but also north-south flow with speed, scoring chances, and beautiful plays. However, the debate seems to think they are mutually exclusive.

I don't want people injured & I'm not a 'knuckle-dragger' (quoting Bobcat). I love all aspects of the game, the beauty & the brawn.

Admittedly, I'm scared the hockey I grew up loving will simply no longer exist in the name of 'progressiveness'.

[j-rock]

They should take the head out of the game period. Funny you should mention the Stevens on Lindros hit because that was completely unnecessary, and Stevens was one of the worst head hunters of all-time despite the admiration he still enjoys. Somebody is going to have to die before the NHL smartens up.

[Marijan Kalman]

NHL managers, I dream about day when someone takes Crosbys head down, with his brain on the ice I am going to ask you: "What rule are you going to change NOW".

[tollers]

If the NHL want to take cheap shots out of the game, all they have to do is get rid of the instigator rule. Then the players will police themselves.

[dumb question?]

What defense is there going to be for the defending player when at the last second someone like Lindros sees the hit coming and gets his elbow up to defend himself? With any new rule on hitting, you're going to see the guy delivering getting hurt more often because he can't go high and this WILL take hitting out of the game.

[Stephen B]

What you have to do is create a situation in which players really don't want to give other players concussions, for fear of the effects on their own careers. Maybe this new rule will help.

[Marijan Kalman]

You can kill a person with front side hit in hockey in Ontario but we can't have MMA because it promotes violence.WHAT A JOKE OUR SOCIETY IS AS WHOLE!!