Will This Stop Headshots Or Not?

NHL general managers have developed the framework for a new rule that punishes hits to the head.

The action comes as the league's 30 GMs wrap up three days of meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. The new rule would allow referees to assess a minor or major penalty for blindside hits targeting the head.

The penalty must be approved by the competition committee and has not yet been given a specific name.

The GMs agreed unanimously on the new penalty in light of several recent instances of players injured on checks to the head.

"I think we all care about the safety of our players, first and foremost," Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Tuesday. "I think there's been some hits this year that all of us feel uncomfortable with, so we're trying to do what's right, not only for the players but for the game."

Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said stiffer penalties must be handed out to players who repeatedly make hits to the head.

"Clearly, the blindside and the unsuspecting player is what we're targeting," said Nieuwendyk, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. "I don't think we're trying to reinvent the wheel here -- we have a great game. But in light of some of the hits -- obviously the David Booth one is kind of the alarming one that everyone took notice of -- I think it's going to be for the good of the game."