Review of the Recent Debacle and Predictions

Apparently, the NHL is excited about headshots, finally.  It's suprising what a well placed letter can do.
Quick Review

1. Sydney Crosby got a concussion
2. The Islanders and the Penguins went crazy
3. Mario Lemieux complained
4. The NHL decided to get tough
5. Matt Cooke went stupid.  Unspeakably stupid
6. The NHL "Got Tough" on Cooke

Well, the NHL numbered this incorrectly.  They put the most important item fourth.  Why would you wait for circumstances to demand changes that can be made at any time?  WHY WAIT?  Why would you wait until the NHL's biggest star went down with a concussion before treating it like a crisis?  The lack of leadership here is baffling. 

As with all other "crackdowns" that the NHL has tried in the past, this has been handled in a haphazard, random, unplanned and short-sighted manner.  In a word - reactionary.  I work with many people on a daily basis who would recognize that this is the wrong approach to take in dealing with this issue - or any issue.  The NHL is consistently "behind the problem".  They are reacting to events and letting the events control the discussion.  I'd be fired for that - most people would be fired for that.

Predictions

- The NHL's new concussion protocol is going to have little effect, especially during the playoffs.  We will see approx two instances early in the playoffs of players being taken off the ice for monitoring, but the teams will scream foul because the players will be missing for about a full period and return to the game without symptoms.  It will be seen as unneccessary for the playoffs.

- The NHL's new tough stance will be short lived and fail - again.  I know, this is a radical position, but I'll stick to it.  The NHL can be tough on "repeat offenders", but as soon as a hockey player that makes more than $4 Million (maybe $5 Mil)  is up for suspension, it will fall apart.

- The NHL will not hire me to fix these issues.  We'll have more of the same.  I'd bet my house on this one.