Scooter Chronicles

I am not sure where I stand on this debate. But I am leaning towards the viewpoint that players should wear visors. The recent injuries of Mats Sundin and Kris Draper, and last season’s injury to Steve Yzerman only proves that the game is moving quicker. (And it’s not because two of the three are Wings either.)

There was a time in the league when the players didn’t even wear helmets, as we know. Like one former player said (can’t remember who), back in those days all they worried about was falling on the back of their head. That’s what brought helmets into the game. There were no high stick injuries, or so very few that it was ever thought to be a problem. And the only player that took pucks to the face was the mask less goalies during those days. Now it is mandatory that the players wear helmets. It was “grandfathered” in, so those that had never worn them could continue to go helmet less. The amazing this too is that the very last player, Craig MacTavish (now coach of the Edmonton Oilers) never suffered a facial injury.

There has been an argument by many against the mandatory visor idea. Back when players didn’t wear helmets, everyone respected each other. Now you have some guys wearing visors and going around playing fearless and not thinking, because they themselves are protected. There is a unwritten code too amongst the players, that you don’t play rough when wearing a shield, that they are for the finesse players.

Kris Draper (according to this ARTICLE) has decided to now wear a visor. Steve Yzerman has, too. I am not sure were Mats Sundin stands on the issue. There are rumors though that the league will do the same with visors as they did with helmets; “grandfathering” in the mandatory use rule. There is another good ARTICLE on the subject from Stephen Cannella of SI.Com (Sports Illustrated’s web site), though published on Yahoo Sports.

Like I said, I am kind of on the fence. In some respects I think they should allow the players to choose. After all, it is their body. But on the other hand, I think they should go the college route and just make them wear full shields/masks. It would dramatically cut down on these injuries. It is also safer then the visors since it covers the whole face, not just the eyes. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the coming months.