A very scary moment for Richard Zednik in the Florida Panthers game on Sunday versus the Buffalo Sabres:
Zednik was rushed to the hospital where he went into surgery. Both coaches got together to discuss whether or not to finish the game. Only when they were informed Zednik was in stable condition and on his way to the hospital did they decide to continue with the game which was eventually won by Buffalo 5-3.
It's safe to say that from that point on, the last thing on the player's minds was the score of the game--and great to hear that Zednik is in stable condition.
Do you think these rare but serious accidents are reason enough for mandatory neck-protectors to be implemented?
That was definitely a scary moment and I was very happy to hear that Zednik was in stable condition. Do you know the latest? I haven't heard.
As for neck guards, I would definitely like to see some players decide to wear them. I don't think they should be mandated though even with an incident like this. The players know the risk they are taking so the choice should be up to them.
I dont think they will be mandatory, but they did make the golie ones mandatory after Clint Malarchuck(ironically the sabers golie) was cut in the neck by a players skate. buffalo seems to have this re-occouring problem of skates and necks????
Cuts to the neck and throat don't happen often, but when they do, they can be fatal. I don't think it's a bad idea to make these kinds of protectors mandatory.
