For too long, we’ve seen the so-called freak accidents in the NHL involving razor-sharp skate blades cutting players, from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk to Florida Panther Richard Zednik to then-Edmonton Oiler Evander Kane to Philadephia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn.
But it wasn’t until Adam Johnson — who once played for the Pittsburgh Penguins — died after being cut in the neck by a skate during a game in England that the discussion about mandatory neck guards has truly begun.
Now, we get the talk from the NHL — via deputy commissioner Bill Daly — that the league “has been in contact” with the players association regarding neck guards. The language used there was that the issue was “on the radar.”
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly tells NHL Network Radio that Gary Bettman has been in contact with Marty Walsh of the PA to get the neck guard issue 'on the radar'. Daly says the NHL is strongly recommending the use of neck guards.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) October 31, 2023
This is simple: It doesn’t just need to be on the radar. It needs to be mandatory. It needs to happen immediately. Full stop.
These incidents have been few and far between, thank goodness, but enough to make you wonder why every player doesn’t wear neck guards.
It’s a reminder that in league where head injuries have been an issue, it was only in 1979 that helmets were made mandatory, with current players grandfathered into the rule (the sight of Craig MacTavish winning a Stanley Cup in 1994 without one seems wild now). And when we’ve seen horrifying injuries to eyes, it was only in 2014 that visors were required for new and young players, but they too were grandfathered in.
"I feel like we are back to the visor question.."@CraigJButton on if we will see the NHL make neck guards mandatory at some point.
Full interview..https://t.co/y6vKYeh2Do pic.twitter.com/ngM7DHBdc2
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) October 30, 2023
This cannot be a “grandfathered” situation. We are talking, sadly, about life and death here.
The English Ice Hockey Association is making neck guards mandatory after Johnson’s death, and the NHL and its players should follow suit.
The English Ice Hockey Association, following the on-ice death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, announced that neck guards and protectors will become mandatory in 2024. https://t.co/h8DDte8IOU
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2023
And if the league decides to leave it up to the players to choose, a decision that would fall short? Everyone who picks up a stick in a game this week needs to wear them. Be a good example to the next generation so this doesn’t happen again. That’s already happening around the league, per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan and others.
I’ve talked to several NHL players who are now considering trying out protective neck guards. Will be interesting to see how many stick.
Neck guards aren’t mandated by USA Hockey – but many believe that’s a good first step to normalize wear for players coming up. https://t.co/kISvVLtRSj
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) October 30, 2023
John Marino says he and the #NJDevils discussed the possibility of a neck guard mandate yesterday.
Marino, Adam Johnson’s ex-teammate in Pittsburgh, adds he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the NHL goes that route.https://t.co/H3QV8mEnRK
— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) October 30, 2023
As Craig Button said above, “One accident like this that’s preventable is one accident too many.”
