The NHL "sadly, is in the business today and every day of trying to downplay brain injuries," according to Damien Cox of the TORONTO STAR, who writes under the header, "NHL: League Not Moving Fast Enough On Concussions." The league has "yet to change policies on concussions or move to eliminate fighting." Despite "mounting scientific evidence, recent concussion findings released at a Mayo Clinic conference were "nowhere to be found" on NHL.com. Cox: "Hear no evil. See no evil. The problem simply doesn’t exist, even if the New York Times says it does." Rangers LW Rick Nash last week was "struck down with an illegal check to the head." Cox asks, "Shouldn’t the union be standing up for Nash? Isn’t the onus on the players, not just the GMs, to try and protect the brains of other players?" (TORONTO STAR, 10/16).
SHOOTING THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT? In Montreal, Jack Todd wrote under the header, "When It Comes To Selling The Game, the NHL Has No Clue." Sharks C Tomas Hertl's goal against the Rangers last Tuesday has been "replayed thousands of times," helping to "market the league from San Jose to Irkutsk." But several NHL commentators have accused Hertl of "failing to respect the game." Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos noted that Hertl "was going to have a 'target' on his back," while the CBC's Don Cherry "chalked it up to the fact" that Hertl is European. Todd wrote, "Plays like the one Hertl pulled off? That's a meal ticket, knuckleheads. Thank the kid for his brilliance and move on" (Montreal GAZETTE, 10/15).
