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Larger ice the solution to a Safer NHL?

March 14, 2011, 5:19 PM ET [ Comments]
Andy Strickland
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Please go to www.truehockey.com to read the full story

The idea that a group of GM’s are supposed to meet in a room and bang out a plan to eliminate head injuries is somewhat unrealistic.

It seems one thing we all agree on is the game is played at a faster speed than ever, the players are bigger than ever, and the players are stronger than ever. What we have in the NHL today are football players on skates.


It’s been said players need to step up and be a part of the solution as opposed to knocking one another out of the lineup. While I agree there isn’t a place in today’s game for flying elbows and players leaving their feet to deliver hits, we need to at least understand that players are trying to hurt one another out there.

And that’s ok. Shaking up your opponent always has and always will have a place in the game.

That’s hockey.

Breaking the rules isn’t ok and that’s what the league must figure out how to take control.

I would love to see the results of a poll asking all 30 GM’s if they have an understanding of how the league hands out discipline. I feel safe in assuming most, if not all, would say they have no idea. Why one hit is a six game suspension and another hit is a one game suspension is anybody’s guess. Finding a formula that makes sense would be a good place to start for the NHL.

I hear from a number of “hockey people” who have their own opinions and suggestions to make the game safer. Everything from bringing back the redline, to softer equipment, to allowing pics and other forms of interference have been discussed.

Why doesn’t the league just make the ice bigger?

Please go to www.truehockey.com to read the rest of the story...

More to come,
Andy Strickland
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