NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly yesterday said that the league will have "four concussion spotters" watching all league games this season from a "centralized location in either Toronto or New York, as well as spotters at each game to check for visible symptoms," according to Stephen Whyno of the AP. Those spotters will "have the authority to have players removed from games." Daly said, "It's a pretty major revamp from what it was last year." Whyno notes the NHL previously allowed "team-affiliated concussion spotters in each arena and they could recommend to medical staffs but not require players be removed from a game." Daly said that the new concussion policy "goes into effect for the eight-team World Cup of Hockey, which begins Saturday in Toronto, and that the NHL will release more details closer to the start of the regular season." Whyno notes the NHL is "in the midst of a concussion lawsuit filed by former players alleging that it had the resources to better prevent head trauma, failed to properly warn players of such risks and promoted violent play that led to their injuries" (AP, 9/15).
NOTHING NEW REGARDING OLYMPICS: Daly said that there has been "no resolution" between the league and the IIHF on the NHL's future participation in the Olympics, but the two sides "will talk at some point" during the World Cup of Hockey. Daly: "There hasn't been any change in status since our last meeting (in the spring), so it's been radio silence on that end. Again, I hope we get an update and a better understanding where things stand." ESPN.com's Joe McDonald noted the NHL will use the World Cup as a "'relevant platform' to value its success, enthusiasm and players' reactions and compare it to possible Olympic participation" (ESPN.com, 9/14).
