The NHL's Concussion Dilemma

Concussions have been an ongoing problem in the present day NHL, and it has to be put to an end. This year, already, only 3 months into the season, the NHL has lost some of its finest players due to concussions, concussion like symptoms and post-concussion syndrome. Some of these players include Claude Giroux and Chris Pronger of the Philadelphia Flyers, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Jeff Skinner and Joni Pitkanen of the Carolina Hurricanes. Shoulder pads are used as weapons, and cannot only end a player’s season but an entire career. More and more hits are now targeted to the head even though new rules have been set out to try and end these vicious blows. Getting hit with today’s shoulder pads is just as bad as getting hit with a brick. The NHL sees that its star players are dropping with concussions like dead flies and something needs to be done - immediately. New rules should be put into place banning the shoulder pads containing the hard plastic cover. A player who is delivering a check should feel the hit just as much as the player who is receiving the hit, which would minimize the amount of dangerous hits. I mean, what player wants to be skating into another player at over 25 mph when he will end up feeling the hit just as much, if not more, than his opponent. Shoulder pads should be changed to a softer, less dangerous padding, instead of the rock-hard ones used today. Secondly, even though most players are sponsored and endorsed by companies (including Bauer, Reebok and Warrior), players should be using the Messier Project helmets; better known as M11. This helmet includes the most up to date helmet technology which has been proven to reduce the risk of head injury. If every player were to wear this lightweight, safe and trendy helmet, the risk of injuries from hits above the shoulders would be reduced dramatically! Some of the most exciting and appealing parts of hockey are the fast paced game, and hitting. Another solution could be that of adjusting all NHL rinks to Olympic size ice surfaces. The larger rink would expose speed, increase passing, which would lead to less body checks.Changing the padding, rink size and helmets would only make the amazing game of hockey safer. Many fans might ask: Would we lose the physical part of hockey? My answer to them: Absolutely Not!

Comment, and tell us what you think!

Special thanks to my good buddy Benchy for contributing to this article.