from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Back in 2003, after a lengthy and diligent study, the National Hockey League’s Injury Analysis Panel concluded that hard, bulbous moldings on elbow and shoulder pads were more likely to cause injury than soft Styrofoam, when applied directly to an opponent’s head.

Hard is more likely to injure than soft, the data showed. Another unintended finding, in documents obtained by Sportsnet.ca at the time, showed fire to be hot.

Yes, nobody does committees like the NHL.

Over the years, we have been blessed with such entities as the NHL/NHLPA Equipment Working Group, the Joint Health and Safety Committee, something called a “Blue Ribbon” committee, and various incarnations of the politically divided Competition Committee.

How many times have all sides convened for “frank and open discussion of the issues?” And how many times has anything tangible occurred?

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