Happiness is a headshot

The title is ripped off from my old friends old army paratrooper t-shirt. Rather provocative in its original spot, but also pretty fitting in today's NHL. The topic of course being one of this season's hottest, headshots. Cases Cooke vs. Savard, Richards vs. Booth being among the worst (and cleanest, with surgical precision) in hockey history.

Whether you call it a dirty, blindside or just plain irresponsible, the defence always bases its arguments on the legality of those within current NHL rulebook. NHL teams' general managers are discussing over the topic, comissinary has his say, some committees gather to ponder about it and whatnot. It must be a more complicated question than "is it okay to cause intentional, potentially permanent, injury to other players within the written rules?".

It definitely is tough to draw the line. Let's put clear headshots aside for a while. There are check from behind, tripping near the boards, knee-on-knee collisions, irresponsible stick cuts and even the occasional freak skate blade in the air tumbling-overs. All of these end seasons and careers. Some are fully intentional, part of the game's physicality. Some are unfortunate accidents. What then constitutes for the suspension or fine. Who else than the player under jurisdiction can say for sure whether it was vicious or just unfortunate? Not the easiest job for the leagua disciplinarian, Mr. Campbell.

From my point of view it all boils down to the spirit of this sport as an entertainment. Spectators want blood, sweat and tears. Owners want spectators. Coaches want to keep their jobs and require the players to finish their checks without hesitation. Players are indeed 100 kilo bodies flying across the ice for 30kmph. Collisions happen, accidents happen. And the guys are paid millions to suck it up and just suffer through the pain. Old school hockey experts practically all defend the violent hits as part of the "tough guys' tough game". Critics see brutality, inhumanity in action. Again, opinions vary a lot. It is just a matter of time when we see the first paralyzed or dead player laying on the highest level of pro hockey. Is it the chance we have to take and price we have to pay to keep the game alive?

I'd definitely like to hear the analysis on this matter by the ultimate witnesses. The guys that have been on the both ends of the matter, giving and receiving. How about Darcy Tucker and his YouTube hit on Sami Kapanen? He was out this season after miserably failed hit by Tuomo Ruutu. What about the long-term star concussees, Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros etc. Are these guys tough enough to step in the rink fearlessly after some very disturbing incidents? Will the payday cover the fear? And the heavy, reckless hitters then. Scott Stevens, Dion Phaneuf? What they have to say? Do they feel sorry about the "victims"? Or is it in the end just part of the game? You tell me..