NHL interested in mandating new protective equipment after Evander Kane injury
After Evander Kane's wrist injury, the NHL is contemplating approaching the NHL Players Association about the implement of mandatory cut resistant clothing. Kane was injured when Tampa Bay Lightning forward, Pat Maroon's skate blade cut his wrist. Kane is expected to miss three to four months after undergoing successful surgery. Like him or not, it is good to see that Kane is going to be all right. That was a brutal and scary injury. This is not the first time a severe injury like this has occurred either.
In the interest of safety, the NHL's idea for cut resistant clothing is a good one. In a fast contact sport injuries can occur at any time. However, getting cut by a sharp skate blade is one of the worst injuries a play can suffer. It is extremely dangerous. It will be interesting to see if the league enforces wearing cut resistant clothing or if it is just strongly recommended.
There are already manufacturers who make cut resistant hockey undergarments like Bauer and CCM. Currently it is up to the players to decided what they like and if they want to wear it or not. That might change soon. This will be one of the topics the leagues General Managers will discuss it next week.
The NHL could look to implement the cut resistant fabric the same way they implemented the mandatory visor rule. While early on their was resistance to the idea, it eventually rolled out completely and now there are only a few remaining grandfathered in players.
| POLL | ||
Should cut resistant material be mandatory? | ||
| Yes, for everyone | 53 | 46.1 % |
| Yes, only for new players in the league | 12 | 10.4 % |
| No, let players choose | 50 | 43.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
