PITTSBURGH — It doesn’t appear that a headshot penalty has much chance of getting into the NHL rulebook.
For the second time in four months, the league’s 30 general managers have discussed the merits of a rule proposed by the NHL Players’ Association and shot it down.
League disciplinarian Colin Campbell showed the managers a video montage of hits as part of the presentation.
The GMs just have no desire to adopt a rule similar to what the Ontario Hockey League instituted this season.
“There’s no appetite for a rule change on that,” Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said after Tuesday’s meeting.
“We all think the existing penalties make sense and then, when a guy crosses the line, Colie bangs him (with a suspension).
“In the leagues where they’ve put in an automatic penalty, I think it’s drastically reduced hitting, and we have no desire to see a reduction in the amount of contact that takes place on our ice surface.
“I know players seem to think it’s important, and you hear (NHLPA executive director) Paul Kelly talk about it, but in our room? No appetite.”
There was much of a substance to come from the meetings, which also included a session with team presidents in the afternoon.
The group did decide to create a new award that honours the top GM each year — although they’ve yet to finalize a process for voting on it.