Hurricanes' Front Office Calls For Improved Player Safety; Players, Coaches Refuse To Back Them Up

Mar 21, 2026

The NHL’s standard for punishing head injuries has been a hot topic of conversation of late, with a Sportsnet report noting that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had a notable exchange with Carolina Hurricanes GM Erik Tulsky at the recent NHL GM meetings in Florida this past week.

Tulsky reportedly told Bettman that he strongly believes the league needs stronger enforcement of the head shot issue, as he believes the current standard/interpretation of the NHL’s Rule 48: Illegal Check to the Head is insufficient.

On Friday night in Toronto, with the Hurricanes in town playing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina’s players, coach Rod Brind’Amour, and captain Jordan Staal weren’t ready to step up and demand change to the head shot issue, the way Canes owner Tom Dundon reportedly wants.

The issue of head shot punishment in the NHL has been contentious for years. But a recent report noted that Carolina Hurricanes leadership and ownership want the NHL to be more progressive in punishing head shots. Does the league’s current standard protect players?

thehockeynews.comHurricanes' Front Office Calls For Improved Player Safety; Players, Coaches Refuse To Back Them UpThe issue of head shot punishment in the NHL has been contentious for years. But a recent report noted that Carolina Hurricanes leadership and ownership want the NHL to be more progressive in punishing head shots. Does the league’s current standard protect players?

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