NHL GMs Want Longer Suspensions For Illegal Head Shots

by aaron on 16. Mar, 2011 in Featured

“And the gloves come off”… how excited do we get when we here those words?

The NHL GMs are faced with a problem, they are trying to balance the safety of the players and the fun, speed, and toughness of the game that fans and players have come to love.

The GMs don’t want to slow the game down, or make major rule changes to curb concussions, but instead are opting for longer suspensions and bigger fines and penalties.

The NHL general managers have decided not to ban head shots all together, but to try define a rule that makes sense and doesn’t radically change the game that people have come to love.

The GMs are concerned that it would take took much away from the physical part of the NHL.

The main changes will be in the areas of vulnerable player head shots or excessive force. Blindside headshots have already been banned for a year now.

Although, around half of concussions this year have been caused by legal hits, GMs believe that stiffer enforcement of rules already in place, especially in the areas of charging and boarding, will help lower the rate.

The Penguins understand the importance of player safety because they have been without Sidney Crosby for about 3 months because of a concussion.

Chara broke Pacioretty’s vertebra last week with a hit which caused fans to cry out about needing some changes in the league’s policies.