Viewpoint

hitting to the head is getting to many players injured the nhl board has to do something.

I think that hits to the head should be allowed. I like to see people get hit in the head...that is hockey. Survival of the fittest.

Me thinks hits to hed are bad. Shoulder pad too big. Too much elbow pad too. Way to much pad. No more pad. Take away the pad.

I think the head hits should be allowed. hey, its a rough game what do you think. The game would just not be the same by taking off the one thing that makes it so exciting

I agree with your recommedations.
I would also include a review of the types of penalties that officials should be calling. For example, the penalty known as "charging" is never called anymore. Elbowing and boarding aren't called as often as it should either. Look up what constitutes a charging penalty. I would like to see that if it is a charge to the head, it should include suspensions.
In football hits to the head for the most part are incidental. Grabbing the facemask is a penalty. It is that simple for the NHL to adopt a policy that recognizes what a good and bad hit are.

"Body-checking" is an important part of our game..."Head-checking" isn't! I wonder how many G.M.s in the league would still feel the way they do about hitting, if Sydney and Ovechkin and Lecavellier and all the other legitimate stars were all out indefinately with concussions, and all the league had on the rosters were the Cam Janssens ang the other "Goons"! The league took out "Elbowing" because it causes injuries...does a heavily armoured shoulder cause any less of an injury?
I think not!

For those who say, "You should have your head up, otherwise you get what you deserve" Kaberle had his head up, and I don't think he was expecting to get hit because he didn't have the puck. There are players that sometimes aim for the head, whether the other guy's head is up or not, but do it in a way where it looks like it was just bad timing. Like this one for example. The play was dead, Kaberle had no puck, therefore no need to hit him. So keep your head up, it'll give you a good view of my shoulder going into your face.

If you want to stop injuries to the head, you must look beyond simply punishing the offenders. Let's look at the technology of the sport. Sticks, skates, shoulder and elbow pads; all better than 20 years ago. What about the helmets? Lighter, better air flow and ear protection(those pesky career ending ear injuries are a thing of the past). What about protecting the head better? The game is faster, the players are bigger, more heavily "armoured" and yet the helmet has essentially remained unchanged. Let's not forget that the rules were not change so goalies didn't have to wear masks. They chose to wear them for protection. That same protection is available for all. And yes, I know, these are big strong hockey players. Then stop your cryin'. And keep your head up!

I am prone to disagree with a late hit or any hit for that matter. If a player of NHL professional hockey can't or won't keep his head up he has to indure the hit and be able to realize that's what hockey is all about? it's a hitting game! to obtain the puck from the opposing team and create a scoring chance is what the coaching staff is drilling the players each time they get on the Ice. I will not applaud any injury to any player, because i really believe that hits are given out to prove that all players have some skills, they are just not as skilled has those that receive them.

I would think a ruling on "no touch" icing
should take precedent over "hits to the head".
The hits will always be there , because
contact is part of the game . There is such
a move afoot to change too much in the game.
The hockey is pretty good, with the exception
of all the phantom calls. You see some great
hockey , and then the Stripes feel the need
to make calls , but I digress.

I've refereed minor hockey for over 20 years, and I was very glad to see Hockey Canada bring in their Checking to the Head rule three or four years ago. Ever since the kids started wearing masks, high hits have been the order of the day; this rule has gone a long way towards eliminating those.

I think the NHL should definitely adopt a similar rule. If you knock a player unconscious with even a "clean" hit to the head, make it 5 and a game. An otherwise "clean" hit with moderate force to the head is 2 + 10 in amateur hockey; perhaps just 2 minutes in the NHL?

I'm glad the GM's are talking about it. Now let's see them do something about it.

Such hits we saw the last weeks are
in my mind totally unfair if clean
or not. If I saw the Kaberle hit
I asked myself what has this to do
with hockey. Hockey is a game which
ist fast und physical thats why the
fans like it.
What should the juniors think if
they see such hits to the head.
Maby they lose a bit of motivation.
I hope we don´t see such hits
any more.

The debate on head hits, violence in hockey, etc., is interesting and it sure gets the talking heads talking ... but less and less people, especially parents, are interested.

Fewer of the best athletes in my typical small Canadian town play hockey.

Why?

Maybe it has something to do with hockey's casual attitude to violence and injury.

Kaberle should have had his head up! That's what all you "old-time" hockey guys said about Drury, and it applies here as well. I prefer a league full of slow-footed Janssens and Neils - it gives regular guys like us a chance to dream. Who needs to see skill? Seeing too much skill just brings back bad memories of being regularly beaten on the pond as a lad. How I wanted to pound those fast, skilled kids. Instead of therapy, give me goons!

Goals, Wins, Defeat, Hits and Fighting are all a part of hockey. Responsibility for these actions are also a big part. Nobody loves everything more then a great goal or a big hit. However a hit that is late, or an attempt to injure is not acceptable. Every player has their role but must do so in a professional and effective manner. Mistakes are made, but consequences must follow to minimize these mistakes. Tomas Kaberle I hope you recover, and Cam Janssen I hope you have learned your lesson.

Well said once again, Scott! I don't think there is much more to say, other than do you think Don Cherry has a point when he says the equipment is a problem? I tend to think that has some impact, but what do you think? The players are getting bigger, stronger, faster, but as far as I know that does not mean their heads are getting more resistant to being rung by opposing shoulders or boards. I know they softened the boards a few years back to help the concussion situation that way. Anyhow, I never liked the hitting much when I played but have always enjoyed it as a fan, the clean stuff, anyway.

Anyhow, I just started to read this column recently and I am really enjoying it. I do not miss it now!!

Thanks!!