The hockey community is mourning the loss of former Penguin, Adam Johnson, who passed away last night. This tragic event has ignited discussions regarding the safety equipment used in the NHL.
While there have been narrow escapes in the NHL, like the time Edmonton's Evander Kane suffered a wrist injury, no player had ever lost their life due to an injury from a skate during a match until now. Johnson's passing underscores the risks associated with the game. Several members of the Providence Bruins opted to wear neck guards in their game tonight.
Moreover, the NHL player association is in talks with the league about incorporating neck guards. Their proposal is for the league to provide standardized neck guards to all players during the upcoming collective bargaining agreement discussions. However, for the time being, the decision to wear neck guards lies with the individual players and teams, as an official rule change during the season seems improbable.
