Possible Head Shot Resolution Concept

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

The bottom line is that when Crosby is out with a concussion from a hit like this then the league will really wake up and really get serious about it. Really the league is not going to go far enough. Not nearly far enough. The fans want change. Players want change. Just will the change go far enough. Cooke should be suspended for 10 games at least. Richards should've been suspended for 5 games minimum. Both should have been 5 minute major penalties and match penalties.

[steen101984]

I dont think that system will work at all. I think that you shouldnt base anything on the result everything should be based on the action. You look at the Liambas situation and while it was a hard hit that kind of hit happens pretty much every game. Because Fanelli was hurt so bad Liambas got a year suspension. If Fanelli popped right up he may have gotten 5 games. Liambas and other players that throw these hits cant know what will happen in the future after the hit.

I dont think its possible to have a set structure for something that has so many variables. Although i think its mostly up to the players. If Cooke shows a little more class and sportsmanship that doesnt happen. They need to abolish the instigator rule. None of this used to happen because after that happened Chara would rip Cooke's head off. Since the instigator you have all these wannabe tough guys throwing dirty hits without any fear of retribution. Put Kaleta, Lapierre, Avery etc. into hockey 30 years ago and they wouldnt finish a season.

[gretzky99]

the reason they didn't get penalties (cooke and richards) is because there is currently no rule against head shots. that's the problem. once they put the rule in the officials can call them. both were late but not so late that it was blatant.
personally, i think the cooke one was a little more reckless but they both should not be legal.
i like the game now as it showcases a lot of skill and having players police themselves takes away some of that skill. i like that there are fewer guys that are just there to fight. speed and skill should be at the forefront of the game. there will always be a place for hard-nosed checkers, but they have to have some skill.
so just ban the head shots - everything else is working pretty well as far as the instigator rule. no crazy bench clearing brawls but still plenty of action and hitting. there's just no need to hit someone in the head.

i know they are working on softening the shoulder pads as well - they aren't for protection anymore, they are weapons. that will also help. plus they need to do something about the helmets. they can improve those a lot as well. if the players and league can make this a priority it will get done. improve the equipment (helmets, shoulder pads, cut-proof socks) and ban hits to the head.

i like the hitting in the game - i don't want to see that cut out. and i believe there is a place for fighting in the game as well. (btw, i'd rather see a couple of good "middle-weights" go at it than watch two goons throw a couple of punches and fall down) but i don't see a place for head hunting and i don't see a place for major head injuries.

[RGM81]

Verdict is in:

"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."

[CSSports]

Scenario....winger going down the boards with the puck
Defenseman has him lined up to hit...makes the hit
Winger ducks to avoid hit
Does defenseman have the onus on him to NOT make the hit?
He is already committed...winger puts himself in vulnerable position...
Is this hit an illegal head shot?


Hmmmmmm !!! Lets me think on that one for awhile.

I think players do this already when they are in the corners thinking they are safe from getting hit along the boards....they put themselves in those situations....then the boarding call is made....

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

the reason they didn't get penalties (cooke and richards) is because there is currently no rule against head shots. that's the problem. once they put the rule in the officials can call them. both were late but not so late that it was blatant.
personally, i think the cooke one was a little more reckless but they both should not be legal.
i like the game now as it showcases a lot of skill and having players police themselves takes away some of that skill. i like that there are fewer guys that are just there to fight. speed and skill should be at the forefront of the game. there will always be a place for hard-nosed checkers, but they have to have some skill.
so just ban the head shots - everything else is working pretty well as far as the instigator rule. no crazy bench clearing brawls but still plenty of action and hitting. there's just no need to hit someone in the head.

i know they are working on softening the shoulder pads as well - they aren't for protection anymore, they are weapons. that will also help. plus they need to do something about the helmets. they can improve those a lot as well. if the players and league can make this a priority it will get done. improve the equipment (helmets, shoulder pads, cut-proof socks) and ban hits to the head.

i like the hitting in the game - i don't want to see that cut out. and i believe there is a place for fighting in the game as well. (btw, i'd rather see a couple of good "middle-weights" go at it than watch two goons throw a couple of punches and fall down) but i don't see a place for head hunting and i don't see a place for major head injuries.

Great post. Agree with almost everything except while there isn't a rule about head shots there is a rule about attempt to injury. The Cooke hit was an attempt to injury while the Richards hit wasn't and that's why Cooke should've been suspended while based on the current rules at the time Richards rightfully wasn't suspended (I only say that based on the rules at the time but based on the rules they now have implemented he should be if it happens next year).

[gretzky99]

yeah, i thought the cooke hit had some intent there, but given the circumstances i don't think they could have suspended him as it did look very similar to the richards hit. although he does this a lot so i think he should have been suspended regardless to send a message to him.