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GMs consider rules on dangerous hits

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2009

Updated: 11/13/2009 12:23 am

TAMPA - After two days of general manager meetings in Toronto, Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton said he believes there is support for some sort of rule change to take out some of the dangerous head hits that have generated recent headlines.

"Everybody recognizes that the safety of the players - and I think that we've seen more of that so far this year - is a high priority topic for the general managers," Lawton said.

While Lawton believes the hit Ottawa's Chris Neil delivered to rookie Lightning D Victor Hedman on Nov. 5, which forced Hedman to miss a game with a mild concussion, didn't cross any legal line, he believes something can be put in place that allows the physicality of the game to remain in place while at the same time reducing the number of hits that result in significant head injuries.

"It's up to (the league) to set rules and parameters," Lawton said. "As the guys continue to get bigger and faster and we open up the game more, I think you are going to need to be on top of it and make changes. That's where we are at now as the guys are looking very closely and if there needs to be any adjustments to the rules as they stand now."

While discussions on head hits, helmets and goalie trapezoids were the dominant topics, Lawton said there was very little trade talk taking place.

"It was pretty quiet," he said. "It's still early in the season and people are still trying to figure out what they've got. We definitely have a lot of players signed as proportionally to the number of roster spots, so that quells things quite a bit. But as you start to get injuries and stuff like that, you start to get talks."
Hedman returns

After sitting out Saturday's game in Montreal with a mild concussion, Hedman returned to the lineup Thursday against Minnesota. Hedman missed two days of on-ice workouts but practiced in the three days leading up to Thursday without any lingering effects of the hit from Neil.

"I'm 100 percent now," Hedman said. "I'm glad I don't feel anything lingering, and I don't know if surprised is the right word, but I didn't know if I would be 100 percent ready for this game, but it feels good.

"Hopefully, now I'll be able to play in 81 games this season ... as a start."

Szczechura returns

After appearing in 31 games with the Lightning last season, C Paul Szczechura was among the final cuts out of training camp and began the season playing with Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

Thursday, Szczechura made his season debut a day after being recalled when the Lightning lost Drew Miller on waivers to Detroit. Szczechura replaced Ryan Craig in the lineup, playing right wing on a line with Jeff Halpern and James Wright.

In 14 games with Norfolk, Szczechura was leading the team in points (14) and assists (eight). His production and play with the Admirals is one of the reasons Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said Szczechura received the call-up.

"He's been playing well down there," Tocchet said. "It's nice to have that right-handed shot as a center, a penalty killer and speed. That's something he gave us last year and I think he's been playing really well down (in Norfolk) and he deserves the chance."

Szczechura said he just wants to keep doing what he was doing.

"I just want to keep working on my game, do what they ask me and just do the best I can, which is what you want to do as a player," Szczechura said. "Whatever role they want me to do is fine by me, killing penalties, playing good defense, I'll do whatever."

Erik Erlendsson

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