Since the NHL’s GM meeting a few weeks ago some hot topics pertaining to rule changes have been debated.  The first is fight safety.  Leading up to the meeting much debate was going around about players being required to keep their helmets on during a fight.  After the GMs met it turns out the focus of fight safety went to possibly doing away with what they termed as “pre-meditated fights”. 

I will address that first because it will be fairly quick.  What does that have to do with fight safety?  A fight is a fight, whether it’s pre-meditated or not.  It may reduce fights but the dangers of a fight will still be present when non pre-meditated fights take place.  In addition I personally believe these types of fights are great.  When fighters want to get their team or fans fired up and a fighter on the other team is looking to do the same, they get together and drop the gloves right off of a face off.  I think most hockey fans love that!  I went to a Rangers/ Maple Leafs game about ten years ago at MSG and in the first ten seconds Darren Langdon fought Tie Domi, followed by P.J. Stock throwing down with Kris King.  The tone was set: I don’t even remember who won that game, but I know it was exciting.  I don’t know how the GMs drifted from helmets to this, but I think it is stupid. Pre-meditated or not, fights are a part of hockey.

Now for helmets, something that actually does have to do with fight safety.  I understand that a player was killed in a junior hockey league from a blow to the head he received when falling to the ice in a fight.  I have also seen the examples where a knock out punch is delivered and the receiving players helmet absorbs the blow to the ice when the player goes down.  I did not like the idea of requiring helmets at first because I love how good fighters will skate to center ice, remove as much equipment as they can and square off.  But, after listening to the extended discussion and watching video of players that were saved by their helmet when falling to the ice I have changed my mind. 

Here is the problem though.  There is some what of an unwritten rule (and maybe one day a written rule will follow) that players with visors should not fight.  Now if you require players to leave their helmets on players with visors can no longer fight (fairly at least).  Most fighters do not wear them.  But many feel more players should wear them after seeing some eye injuries that could have been prevented by a visor.  So, suppose Colton Orr, Andrew Peters, or Dave Clarkson decide they no longer want to risk losing an eye every time they take a shift.  Now they can no longer fight.  And if they want to continue to fight (what they do best) they cannot protect their eyes.  Doesn’t seem right!  I think the solution for this is for somebody to develop a visor that can easily be removed at the start of a fight, yet can still do its job and protect the players face.  So CCM, Jofa, RBK, Nike and whoever else makes sports equipment; get on it!!!  What do our readers think? Until next time hockey fans, enjoy the playoff race.