GMs talk rule changes after Savard blow

BOCA RATON, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- NHL general managers will discuss changing the rules on checks to the head at meetings beginning Monday in Florida, league officials say.

The discussion, which comes after the Boston Bruins' Marc Savard was knocked cold Sunday by a shoulder to his head from Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke, will involve whether to make such "blindside" checks illegal, The New York Times reported.

The newspaper said the GMs -- gathering in Boca Raton, Fla., for annual meetings -- would address that and several other issues revolving around hits and concussions, and aim to come up with a set of recommendations to be presented to the league's competition committee.

NHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell told the Times he believes the character of blows to the head have changed. Previously most head shots that caused injuries were on illegal plays, but Cooke's blow to Savard didn't technically break any rules.

Yet it was unexpected, coming from Savard's "blind side" at high speed, thus leaving the Bruin vulnerable to concussion.

Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told NHL.com Monday that Savard was doing better after being taken off the ice on a stretcher. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 concussion.