The NHL is moving toward a head-hit penalty in the future, with a 10-person committee recommending the rule during a Friday meeting. The details are still somewhat limited right now, but there’s some teeth to the would-be new rule.
Competition Committee OKs Head-Hit Penalty, Doesn’t Release Details
The specific wording of the new penalty wasn't disclosed but NHL executive and former player Brendan Shanahan says head hits will be subject to a major penalty and game misconduct, as well as supplemental discipline.
It took a somewhat complex dance to get the rule this far. The players have liked the idea but wanted it to go through the competition committee when general managers recommended it. The board of governors can now take it up at their meetings next week in L.A.
The issue was given new urgency this season after Marc Savard’s concussion and a season-ending hit on David Booth.
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