Intentions are one thing. Implementation is another.
It took only one hockey game for the NHL’s new safety rules to look foolish and inadequate.
And while the focus of the Maple Leafs-Canadiens game will fall on the Colton Orr-George Parros incident— and rightly so, as Parros suffered a disturbing and unnecessary concussion — another fight, in a heated match that was in no shortage of them, should be worth a look.
Showing no signs of hesitation despite recovering from a horrific skull fracture last spring, Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser challenged Habs forward Travis Moen to a scrap.
Fine. But watch above as the two willing combatants discuss at length to remove their helmets before engaging in fisticuffs. Fraser now wears a visor; Moen doesn’t.
I’ll remove mine if you remove yours.
Both players do, and thus their two-minute unsportsmanlike penalties for removing their own helmet before a fight offset. And let’s be honest: the kind of player willing to take a five-minute fighting major is more often than not the kind of player who won’t mind taking an additional two-minute minor.
Yes, it’s less ridiculous than gently removing the other guy’s bucket, but the intent of the NHL’s new keep-your-helmet-on rule has quickly become a joke.
Until the rule is changed, look forward to more games of helmet chicken.
That Parros’ concussion occurred while he was wearing a helmet only underscored the indecisiveness and ambiguity the league has toward player safety.