No decrease of concussions in NHL

[Konnan511 1,736]

The number of concussions reported by NHL players remains unchanged from last season despite the league's attempt to reduce the injury by creating a rule outlawing blindside hits to the head.

NHL's neuropsychologist Dr. Ruben Echemendia told The Canadian Press on Friday that 33 concussions had been reported as of Dec. 1 -- the same number as last year. He noted that it doesn't necessarily mean the rule change has been ineffective.

Echemendia tells CP, "we need to very carefully follow the concussions this year and next year and see to what extent the rule changes have or have not had a change in behavior."

A new rule allows referees to call a minor or major penalty for any "lateral, back pressure or blindside hit" where the principal point of contact is the head.

We all know it takes NHL players a while to adjust to new rules, but is this something that can change, are all these rule changes about head shots actually going to deter players from delivering them? if so, how long do you think it will take?

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Two words: Shoulder pads.

[theman19 47]

Two words: Shoulder pads.

absofreakingloutly.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Shoulder pads, and elbow pads are a start.

Was watching MSG, and they had the top hockey fights which ranked Probert/Domi their #1...Along with this honor - MSG aired a condensed 1 hour version of the game...What caught my attention right away was how my memory was refreshed with the clutching/grabbing/hooking that was very prevelant in those days (mind you this game was in Feb. 1992 - long before NJ made clutch/grab commonplace).

I dunno; maybe if the refs were to allow "some" of this style to work it's way back into the game - maybe we'd see the game slow down a tad, and just possibly see a reduction of the number of hits to the head...Then again I really haven't a clue on how to get guys from doing stupid s*** on the ice...Allow for bench clearing brawls circa 1980's when a suspicious hit is delivered?

Huge suspensions. But we all know that won't happen.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Two words: Shoulder pads.

I'd like to point out that we're talking about a very small sample size. With the frequency of concussions you'd want to look at a larger sample size than a quarter of a season before drawing conclusions.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'd like to point out that we're talking about a very small sample size. With the frequency of concussions you'd want to look at a larger sample size than a quarter of a season before drawing conclusions.

Same sample size as last season. And it is not a small sample size. There have been over 600 games played thus far. 600 games vs 600 games seems to be a legit sample size to me.