One of the NHL general managers responsible for proposed blindside headshot rule doubts the new regulation will be adopted before the end of the current regular season.

But that doesn't mean that league chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell won't be given authority to dish out supplementary discipline on blindside headshots like the dangerous hits delivered by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke and Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards.

In discussing the proposed blindside headshot rule on Wednesday, a league source agreed that there isn't enough time this season for the proposed rule to be implemented. But he predicted that, as a compromise, Campbell would be allowed to levy suspensions for the hazardous hits.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Devils president, CEO and GM Lou Lamoriello told CBC Radio on Wednesday that because of the process that is required to approve rule changes time is not on the league's side to implement the proposal.

"In my opinion, I do not think that anything will be done at this present time because of the process that is necessary to go through," Lamoriello said. "We want to make sure this works. We want to make sure it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do and close the gap of any gray area."

There has been pressure from veteran players like Bill Guerin, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, as well as executives like Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, to get this matter resolved as soon as possible.

Devastating hits to the head suffered Oct. 24 by Florida Panthers forward David Booth and Boston Bruins playmaker Marc Savard on Mar. 7 brought the matter to the forefront. Booth missed 45 games as the result of a shoulder-to-his-head blindside hit levied by Richards. Savard was knocked unconscious and out of action from a shoulder-to-head open-ice check from Cooke. Neither Cooke nor Richards was penalized for their respective actions in the games and they both escaped supplementary discipline.

'Fast-tracking might not be the best'

At last week's NHL GM meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., Lamoriello and seven other GMs created a new rule that they hope curves blindside headshots. The proposal reads: "A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or is the principal point of contact is not permitted. A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."

There has been plenty of speculation in the past five days that this proposal will be fast-tracked and be implemented before the 2009-10 regular season winds down. One report suggested this could be put in place as early as the end of this week.

But Lamoriello cautions that, because there are many steps in the process, the new rule is likely won't be in place before the end of the regular season.

The next step is the approval from the 10-member competition committee which includes players Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Brian Campbell, who is out two months with a broken collarbone, Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Halpern, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Mathieu Schneider and Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza.

None of the players, however, have received the league's information DVD and accompanying memorandum. The NHL board of governors also has to unanimously approve the proposed rule.

"Fast-tracking might not be the best because the enforcement is the most important thing and getting it past is even more important," Lamoriello said. "It's no different than any other law or any other rules that we have. We all feel that this is the right thing going forward, but it has to be interpreted and it has to be executed in the right way.

"We still want to make sure we don't take hitting out of the game, legal hitting out of the game, and that is the process we're in right now."