NHL seeks to enact rule against blindside hits to head

A proposed rule that would punish blindside hits to the head could be adopted by the NHL within days, as league officials take extraordinary steps to accelerate adoption of a recommendation made last week by the 30 general managers.

But because players and officials would have little time to adjust, the provision calling for a minor or major penalty for blows that are “lateral, back-pressure or blindside hits” to the head likely would not take effect until next season. For the rest of this season, those hits would be subject to review for possible suspension.

“A penalty call on the ice would be a difficult thing to consistently administer at this time,” Colin Campbell, the NHL’s vice president of hockey operations, said on the “NHL Live” radio show.

Under most circumstances, recommendations from the general managers are discussed and amended by the competition committee and then forwarded to the Board of Governors for a final vote.

However, the NHL has come under fire for not banning blindside or shoulder hits to the head. Campbell has been singled out because he didn’t suspend Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke for a shoulder slam that left Boston’s Marc Savard with a concussion.

To illustrate what would be subject to review — and clarify what would draw a penalty next season — league executives have been assembling a video package for each team, on-ice officials and the NHL Players’ Assn.

Kings center Jeff Halpern, a member of the competition committee, applauded the NHL’s decision to expedite the new rule. “I think both sides are anxious to make amends or to change the rules to protect against that kind of hit,” Halpern said.

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