NHL aims to implement new rule this season

Things are starting to heat up now. With the NHL under fire from all directions regarding illegal hits, head shots and suspensions -- or lack thereof -- it appears the league is working to get a new rule in place this season that would deem all blindside hits illegal.

From TSN’s Darren Dreger:

The NHL is now seriously considering the possibility of expediting the approval process to implement the rule before the end of this season.

Rule changes or additions must be endorsed by the joint NHL-NHLPA competition committee and would also require NHL Board approval as well.

It’s believed both could be handled electronically with the Board’s vote accomplished by fax.

What could take some time in this situation is the fact that the NHLPA needs to consult with the players on it’s competition committee: Brian Campbell, Jeff Halpern, Ryan Miller, Mathieu Schneider and Jason Spezza. Dreger says that the NHLPA does not intend to delay the new rule, but wants to make sure the rule encompasses everything the players think should be covered.

This is a great example of just how serious this issue has become, and how the NHL is fighting to regain some ground in what has become a PR nightmare throughout this entire season.