Is it time to look at fighting's place in hockey?
NHL general managers have discussed that question in the past and will discuss it again, but the league doesn't intend on making any in-season rule changes in light of Don Sanderson's death, or the examples this season of NHL players heads hitting the ice at the dangerous conclusion of a fight.
"We can't knee jerk on this," is a common response coming from both league executives and NHL players, however both have acknowledged a willingness to further discuss the issues at players and managers meetings to determine whether recommendations for change be forwarded to the competition committee and ultimately, the NHL's Board of Governors.
While the NHLPA hasn't been formally invited, sources tell TSN executive director Paul Kelly and Glenn Healy, the PA's director of Player Affairs are expected to join the general managers at their next meeting in March, at the request of the NHL.
Safety issues specific to fighting are expected to be included in the PA's presentation, along with the concept of a revised penalty for fighting which Kelly says will likely be discussed when the competition committee meets in June.
Kelly wouldn't comment on the specifics of the penalty revisions.
The PA's presentation to the general managers is also expected to include proposals for prospective rule changes or game improvements gleaned from the players for the managers to consider.
Most interesting is a scheduling proposal the NHLPA is working on that would see the NHL regular season start earlier to avoid the Stanley Cup Final stretching into mid-June.
The Players Association contends NHL training camps should open a week earlier, the number of preseason games should be chopped from as many as 9 to as few as 5 and as much as a week to ten days should be shaved from the end of the season.
Paul Kelly says while this trimmed schedule may not be possible next season because of the Olympics, it is something he believes should be considered for 2010-2011.