Sidney Crosby Calls for a Ban on All Deliberate Headshots

[RGM81]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle1940911/

Crosby, 23, waffled a little on the subject of banning all hits to the head but made it clear he thinks deliberate hits should be outlawed. Rule 48, which was brought in after last year’s GMs meetings, calls for a major penalty, game misconduct and an automatic league review for further punishment for all blindside hits to a player’s head.
“No matter if it’s from the blindside or straight on, if someone targets the head, then yeah, I think that should be banned,” Crosby said Monday afternoon in an interview posted on the Penguins’ web site. “But when you’re looking at accidental contact and stuff, well, that’s going to be up to people making those disciplinary decisions whether or not it was targeted and things like that.
“But as far as deliberate head shots, yeah. You’re not going to lose anything from the game if you take that away. I mean, if a guy has enough time to line someone up, then he’s got enough time to decide whether he can hit him in the head or not. I think that’s pretty realistic.”
Crosby said discussions among those responsible for changing the NHL’s rules, which includes the NHL Players’ Association, are needed to decide how to determine a standard for what is considered a deliberate hit.

He also had the opportunity to discuss his progress in returning from his concussions:

“I feel good. It’s really early. It’s just part of progress and trying to get better,” Crosby told the Penguins’ website. “I felt pretty good doing some light workouts. I was told I had the opportunity to skate. I went out there for 15 minutes to see how I felt. No real plan going forward. I felt good, so that’s a good sign.”
This may not sound like much in the life of an NHL superstar but these days, given the relentless public debate about concussions in the NHL, but for Crosby and everyone else it is huge. It is far bigger than the first sign of spring. Or, rather, it is the first sign of spring in Pittsburgh.
Crosby said he has been free of symptoms for a few days. But it still is not known he will be able to participate in a full Penguins practice, let alone a game. Crosby told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he has no idea if he will be able to play again this season.
“That's impossible to say,” Crosby said. “It's progress. I'm nowhere close to [playing]. I just want to get through [Monday morning’s workout] without getting a headache let alone [worry] about my conditioning.”
This is still cause for celebration for the NHL, although Crosby said he does not know if he will even be able to skate on Tuesday.
“I may not feel great this afternoon and not be able to skate tomorrow,” he told the Penguins’ web site. “The only reason I was able to skate today is because I’ve had some good days here, done a little bit of exercise and got through that. That doesn’t mean there are any guarantees. It’s just a progression.”
The Penguins web site has video and a full transcript

[30ranfordfan]

'Deliberate'

It won't do a thing, if you target 'Deliberate' hits to the head. All that means is someone will have to decide if you meant to do it or not, and it will only end up being the goons who get punished for it.

Either ban them, or don't. Stop trying to figure out what players were thinking.

[centrehice]

You pretty much have to issue a ban on all Head Shots...period.

Intent is the Buzzword that the NHL cannot get itself organized on, nor can the Hockey World.

Here's what I propose:


1. Head Shot within the course of play provided the player has the puck.- in open ice
4 Minute Minor Penalty - subject to League Video Review.


2. Head Shot where the player has already disposed of the puck, or hasn't received it as yet.
5 Minute penalty and a 10 Minute Misconduct - subject to further penalties based on a League Video Review

3. Head Shot following the whistle, without previous provocation and not in the confines of agreed upon Fisticuffs.
5 Minute Major, 10 Minute Misconduct, Game Misconduct - subject to League Video Review for further infraction.

4. All Boading Penalties whereby the head of the opposing player is contacted Minimum 4 Minute penalty, also subject to League Video Review for further discipline.

*** Parameters for further discipline subject to League Video Review anytime the player fouled missed a Game/Games or the remainder of the present game.

*** Automatic 5-10 Game Suspension Minimum depending on the severity of the Head Shot and a combination of games missed by injured player.


Now before you all jump down my neck. This of course would need some Fine Tuning, but you have to start with a Template for zero tolerance, which the NHL has none.....

Get something immediately on the Rule Books, that itself is a start.

Air Canada and Via Rail - You two can go to H.E. Double Hockey Sticks. Mind your own damn business, and try providing a competitive service for Travel that is both equitable in terms of dollars spent, and How bout On Time?

[flemingc04]

The entire time since the Chara/Pacioretty incident, I've kept relatively quiet as I've been on the fence. However, I have to agree with everything above. The NHL needs to remove the term deliberate from their vocabulary. Just like a person caught for speeding or committing murder, players should be held accountable for their actions whether it was deliberate or accidental. Maybe the NHL needs an automatic 3 game suspension for the first head shot and then increase the penalty for repeat offenders. Also make the penalties even tougher for repeat offenders in the same season as their last offence. In addition, have every head shot reviewed by the NHL and subject to additional consequences. By having this, the NHL can still increase the suspension from 3 games based on the situation (boarding, charging, late hit after the whistle is blown, etc.). Maybe Chara would still get 3 games and nothing more since he wasn't suspended last week, but at least he would pay the consequence for laying the hit (regardless of being deliberate or not). And in cases like the Cooke/Savard, Bertuzzi/Moore, and even McSorley/Brashear, the NHL could still increase the suspension based on severity of the hit as they see fit, again regardless of the hits being deliberate.

[Wickabee]

High sticking isn't subject to "intent" one has to keep complete control of the stick at all times making sure it doesn't touch someone's head. If it does, there's a penalty. If it draws blood, there is a harsher (double minor) penalty. Why isn't it the same with headshots?One reason some people will give is size difference. Ie: if Tyler Myers hits Matt Cooke, is that a head shot? The answer should be, "well, yes"
At the same time, I don't think the biggest problem with concussions is direct hits to the head so much as where the head ends up immediately after. Hedman didn't really hit Crosby's head, but Crosby's head bounced off the glass. Getzlaf didn't hit Hamhuis in the head, but his head bounced off the glass and he was out. Chara didn't touch Pacioretty's head and, well.
In the end, a ban on "headshots" isn't going to fix the problem, but it will lessen it. I have no problem with automatic penalties for hits to the head, as long as they don't take it too far. Steckle's hit on Crosby was unintentional, at least, I'm pretty sure it was. I don't believe it warranted a game misconduct, but a 2 or 4 minute penalty. One could argue that Crosby just wasn't looking where he was going, but if he had skated into Steckle's stick, it would have been a penalty.
On that note there does have to be some level of sel-preservation on the minds of the players. Don't turn your back, brace properly for the hit, let the puck go when the turnbuckle is coming up. I realize this is a matter of "Why should a player change his play based on the guy who's going to hit him" and there's no way to patrol or penalize for not looking after yourself, I do think more NHLers, and players of all levels need to realize it doesn't matter how many rules exist, there are still situations you just don't put yourself into.
Sure, the guy running the red light is at fault, but you're still dead, as my grandfather would say.