The battle armour they’re wearing really needs to be fixed. Taking a shoulder in those kind of plates is brutal even if it IS a clean check. Additionally, there needs to be more interest in Messier’s little helmet experiment, as well as Primeau’s concussion indicator (it is Primeau who’s advertising that, right?).

And since the threat of two or three or maybe no games lost (hey, brilliant idea – maybe we could get some CONSISTENCY on suspension rulings?) for a bad hit doesn’t seem to bother the players, maybe the threat of lost salary would convince their coaches and GMs to get the troops in line. I imagine they’d be entirely less comfortable with cheapshot hits when they’re actually losing their own money instead of just having to stand up in front of the reporters, say they’re sorry and go back to their lives like nothing ever happened.

If all that shit doesn’t do it, you really have to wonder if lowering the speed is the only option. But I’d prefer never to have to consider it. There are a lot of ideas left to try before that really needs to be contemplated. I’m confident a much better solution can be found, one that doesn’t cost us the high-intensity, fast-paced style of play that’s been so good for the sport in recent years.