NHL players have always had to right to choose certain injury prevention techniques they want to participate in. Things like Kevlar socks or visors are not mandatory, but can often save a player' career. Already this season, Ottawa Senator Erik Karlsson has gone down with a cut to his Achilles that could have been prevented with safer socks. Now, the recent injury to Marc Staal has the debate for mandatory visors heating up again. During the recent lockout, the discussion of visors was brought up, but never acted upon.
New York Rangers defenseman Staal was injured after a puck was deflected and then hit him in the eye. The severity of the damage has not been made known, but the injury was scary enough to prompt another discussion of mandatory visors for players. There is no doubt the accident could have been prevented if Staal had a visor attached to his helmet.
The argument by players is that a visor obstructs full vision while on the ice. Players want to the ability to have full eyes on the ice. It is the same argument made with Kevlar socks. Earlier this season, Eriksson was lost for the season after his Achilles was sliced with the blade of a skate. Special socks are made to prevent this, but some players choose not to wear them, claiming they restrict the range of motion by their feet while in skates.
The NHL Players Association has long operated under the belief that it is player's preference when it comes to safety. During the discussions about the current CBA, player safety was briefly discussed, but never fully fleshed out. The NHL has yet to make player safety a priority issue under the CBA. With the number of preventable injuries so far this season, the NHL is starting to talk about making all safety equipment mandatory for players.
While many players make arguments against things like mandatory visors or Kevlar socks, plenty of players are sporting both and putting up triple-digit numbers in points.
The Rangers have said they are currently waiting for the swelling around Staal's eye to go down before they can make a determination on the extent of the injury.
