Eric Lindros thinks the NHL is partly to blame for all the concussions we’ve been seeing lately.
In an interview with QMI Agency, the former star whose career was cut short due to repeated concussions condemned the rule changes the NHL made following the 2004-05 lockout.
“The game’s gotten too fast,” Lindros said.
“The red line is out and the game’s quicker. It’s inevitable there’s going to be more (concussions). They knew that when they took the red line out. So they sacrificed that for speed.”
The way Lindros puts it, the NHL deliberately traded safety for profit. Sort of like the company in Fight Club that Edward Norton’s character works for.
A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don’t do one.
It’s doubtful the NHL was quite so calculating. Or, if it took player safety into mind whatsoever. Not because it didn’t care, but rather because it was too focused on improving the entertainment value of the game. Remember, the NHL product wasn’t exactly drawing rave reviews at the time.
Regardless, we’re hearing more and more calls for two-line passes to be whistled down again. Also, for limited interference to be allowed in certain situations, like permitting a defenseman to block for his partner on puck retrievals.
Lindros will likely field more concussion-related questions Saturday when he participates in the Winter Classic alumni game in Philadelphia.