Notebook: GMs propose rule change on hits to the head
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
NHL general managers wrapped up three days of meetings in Florida with a proposed a rule change to deal with hits to the head.
The recommendation reads as follows:
"A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or 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."
NHL vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell explained the thinking behind the proposal.
"We felt there is a degree of responsibility - more so to the player receiving the hit - when a guy's coming straight at you. But it's that blindside hit that we find is so disturbing and it's tough to protect yourself in our game, with the speed," Campbell told reporters in Florida. "When we changed this game, took the red line out, took the holding and the hooking and everything out of the a game, we increased the speed of this game tenfold. In doing that we also increased the collision force in these hits, but our managers felt that a north-south hit when a shoulder hits the head is acceptable."The general managers also recommended a change to the first standings tiebreaker. Currently when two teams are tied the first tiebreaker is overall wins. The proposed rule change would make the first tiebreaker regulation and overtime wins.
The proposed rule changes need approval by the league's competition committee and the board of governors and will not have any impact on this season.
Stars Notes
- Stars forward Jere Lehtinen missed Wednesday's game due to illness.
- Stars defenseman Nicklas Grossman (back) missed his second straight game.
- The Stars activated Brian Sutherby (shoulder) from injured reserve on Wednesday, but he did not play.
