New head shot "rule" unilaterally implemented by NHL?

Basically it amounts to a potential suspension and/or fine should a player hit another player in the head on purpose. In other words the "Matt Cooke" will no longer be allowed without some sort of suspension.

The timeline for this seems to be a bit fuzzy as you read the article you'll see what I mean. It's stated that the rule would be ready in time for tonights games but that the NHLPA would need to vote on it and that wouldn't happen until Friday. Later in the article it says the NHL unilaterally implemented the new rule and that Daly feels the NHL is well within their rights to do so.

So a rule is in place but who knows when it will take effect.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/chris_stevenson/2010/03/24/13347781-qmi.html

They better be consistent with their calls. Also, this could really turn ugly in teh playoffs if they make bad calls like they did twice against Sutton in teh past 2 games. How will this affect the monsters of the league? Will their games change? Will they (refs) cost a team a series by making bad calls?

SensGirl11 wrote:They better be consistent with their calls. Also, this could really turn ugly in teh playoffs if they make bad calls like they did twice against Sutton in teh past 2 games. How will this affect the monsters of the league? Will their games change? Will they (refs) cost a team a series by making bad calls?

its because he is so tall that every time he goes in for a hit it's at head level and he gets called, drives me nuts sometimes.

The new rule is not strictly about head shots. Notice last night's Spacek on Booth was a shoulder to the head, even cut him (I suspect that was the visor), but no penalty. The rule is specifically for hits to the head of unsuspecting players.

As much as I would be in favor of stopping deliberate hits to the head, that Spacek hit was as clean as you can get. He stood up at the blue line and Booth skated into him. Spacek's arms were tight to his body. I hate the "he has to keep his head up" argument in most cases, but it is *exactly* the response I have in this case.

Sad for Booth but, perhaps, he came back too soon.

Brodziak took a hit to the head that went uncalled that falls under the new rule.

Dash wrote:Brodziak took a hit to the head that went uncalled that falls under the new rule.

I don't think they call a penalty at this point. It's only supplementary discipline after the fact isn't it?

I thought it was a penalty + suspension?

Dash wrote:I thought it was a penalty + suspension?

Nope. That is why they were able to fast track the "rule".