So you don't think this rule will work?
Work to do what, restore the respect that players had for eachother in an era when few wore helmets and anyone could fight anyone at any time without provocation without worry of penalties in excess of a fighting major? I doubt it will do that.
Work to reduce injuries in the NHL? Doubtful. There aren't that many injuries caused by blindside hits to the head to begin with.
I suspect it will work to the extent that rules against hitting from behind work now - so, somewhat.
It will likely work to increase suspensions for players who are borderline NHLers, create much webforum crying about star players who
don't get suspended, and it will resulty in more powreplays than there are now.
I like the rule but I think it could be improved upon.
No more instigator, no more hard pads. That's a good start if people want to make a safer, more exciting game.
If I was seriously injured I don't think it would make me feel any better even if someone did beat the hell out of the player that hit me.
If players are alowed to fight for retaliation without having to fear that they'll take their team out of the game, I expect cheapshots to happen less often - preventing injuries, or at least preventing the types of plays we're talking about here that sometimes (though not alarmingly often) cause serious injury. Some players will still player dirty, as some players always did - but others will think twice.
"It was pretty interesting," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "We had May in exhibition for a couple of games and no one gets hacked or whacked. When we don't have him, we get run. We don't have a team that twists off helmets at stoppages. You get tired of seeing it all the time. It's just nice when you get someone to look after that stuff."
