The NHL Players Association’s objection to making visors mandatory will not change as a result of New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal’s frightening puck-to-face injury.
“While the players support visor use being a matter of individual choice, we continue to regularly educate the players on the benefits of wearing a visor so that each player can make an informed decisions,” Mathieu Schneider said in a statement. “We will discuss visors and other important equipment-related matters at our player meetings this summer.”
During Tuesday’s win against the Philadelphia Flyers, Staal was struck in the right eye by a shot deflected off Jakub Voracek’s blade by Kimmo Timonen. Mark Fromer, an ophthalmologist, and Mendel Markowitz, a maxillofacial surgeon, examined him.
“The injury has significantly improved, and both doctors are optimistic that Marc will make a full recovery,” the Rangers said in a statement. “Staal will be sidelined indefinitely.”
On Wednesday, the team grabbed defenseman Roman Hamrlik off waivers from the Washington Capitals.
“The NHL is in favour (and has been for many years) of the introduction of a rule that makes visor use mandatory,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
according to an email sent to USA TODAY Sports. ” We have worked with the players’ association for a number of years extending at least back to the early 2000s on further regulation in this area and at least to the point, the PA has continuously supported retaining this as a matter of “player’s choice.” Instead, they have supported and lobbied for increasing visor usage by players through ongoing education and sensitization to the consequences of not wearing visors.”
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