NHL Issues Head Shot Memo

Apparently the NHL has seen enough, or has been pressured into responding to the rash of head shots that have been occurring lately. Here is the content of the memo that was to be posted in all NHL team locker rooms:

“Recently, we have had two (2) supplemental discipline incidents involving direct elbow blows to the head. This is a play that we have been trying to remove from our game for a number of years. In one case there was no injury and in the other incident the elbowed player received a concussion. Both players delivering the elbows had never before been involved in supplemental discipline.”

“We cannot and will not tolerate blows to the head that are deliberate, avoidable and illegal. Furthermore, both the history and status of the offender (first time versus repeat) and the nature of the injury caused (if any) will be taken into consideration as they have been in the past. The length of suspensions for illegal blows to the head will be increased if these incidents persist across the League. Taking steps to maintain the safest on-ice environment possible for the players remains our most important priority.”

I cant help but sit here and wonder if this is the start of the NHL actually getting tough on hits to the head, or if it was more of a PR move? I’m leaning slightly towards the PR move side as so far the league has been wishy washy in its decisions, and I see memo as a way of reinforcing that trend. They basically cut themselves some slack by throwing the word “illegal” in there, limiting their course of action to their own interpretation of the hit. What do you think?