Peter Mueller- Update

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brown23

So why doesn't the NHL provide these helmets to the players already. It couldn't be any worse considering what they have now.

With soo many players having concussions, it is going to not only hurt the NHL, but the players personal life, too.

Even with this being all said about concussions. Sure, it is a physical sport and the players are aware of that. But was the NHL ever aware knowing that knowing it is a physical sport that maybe they should of done something while back from preventing all these concussions sooner?

I don't disagree with you that more probably could be done and in a perfect world the league and NHLPA could adapt new things for player safety and concussions wouldn't be near the issue they are now. Unfortunately it probably comes down to personal decision, much like visors. To me, it seems moronic that a player coming out of college or juniors where visors are mandatory would decide to take one off. The league can't unilaterally mandate that all players must wear visors, even though I'm sure the insurance companies would love for that to be the case. It would have to be collectively bargained into the CBA. I bet you if the league tried to mandate a certain type of helmet, even if it's for safety, it would get some people at the NHLPA riled up about it.

You have to remember this is a league where there's a history of players choosing not to wear the best safety equipment that is available. Players are put up on a pedestal for playing through injuries or looking tough. Guys don't want to be seen as weak by either their team or their teammates. Players have always resisted newer equipment. Look how long it took to get everyone wearing helmets. Gretzky's helmet would do nothing to protect anyone's head from serious injury. Players now still refuse to wear mouthguards, visors, the Messier helmet. If there weren't mandated concussion protocols, I still think you'd see players trying to get back out there when they were obviously injured.

Unfortunately, for serious change to occur, there needs to be a cultural shift in the game. I think they're trying with more of the crackdown on suspensions and things like the concussion protocol. They're trying to take head shots and dangerous plays along the boards out of the game. They're trying to find a balance in keeping the game physical and making sure players are safe. It's not an easy job, especially when players still do stupid things. Look at the Rene Bourque elbow last night against Washington as a perfect example. The guy was suspended like 3 weeks ago and what does he do? He lifts his elbow to intentionally hit the guy in the face. Or tonight I'm watching the Ducks game and Bobby Ryan got a penalty with like 2 minutes left in the game for shoving a guy from behind into the boards. Brian Hayward says, "It's not Ryan's fault that the defenseman put himself in a vulnerable position." Perhaps not but the hitter needs to realize he can't hit players when they're vulnerable anymore.