NHL Rules and Equipment Changes Needed to Reduce Concussions

As NHL governors meet to discuss what to do about concussions, it needs to be reiterated that when players like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews sit out, hockey fans suffer.

What can the NHL do to help prevent concussions and keep the game exciting ? Here are some key changes that need to be considered:

Introduce Automatic Icing

Not the hybrid icing the NHL governors are contemplating. The bottom line is if the puck is shot down the ice with no chance of the defensive player being able to make a play, as soon as it crosses the line in the defensive zone the whistle blows. Fans have seen far too many injuries when players race to the puck and someone gets smashed into the boards.

Standardize Rink Sizes

Make the ice a little larger. Not the size of an Olympic rink but a standard size in between an NHL and Olympic rink. This will open up the game and make hitting an art again. If you can't catch them you can't hit them.

Reduce "Armor"

Don Cherry has been right for years. Get rid of all the plastic armor found on elbow and shoulder pads. Players think they are invincible. Go back to leather. Most other sports have standardized equipment—why shouldn't hockey.

Reintroduce the Two-Line Pass and Slow Up Play in the Neutral Zone

The game is getting too fast. USA minor hockey has the automatic offside where players can't exit the offensive zone to keep an offside from being called. The NHL doesn't have to go that far because frankly that's boring. However, the art of defence needs to be reintroduced to the game and more care needs to be taken when rushing through the neutral zone.

Wooden Sticks

Some hockey people think composite sticks are actually slowing down the game. These hockey people indicate the sticks break too often and taking passes is far too difficult with the composite sticks. The bottom line is if Al MacInnis could shoot the puck at over 100 miles an hour with a wooden stick, players today who are bigger and stronger can do the same.