After New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal was injured when a deflected puck hit him in the eye during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, the visor debate in the NHL is heating up.
Should players have to wear visors? See what players, coaches and league officials are saying.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik:
"I guess there really isn't a valid excuse to not wear one anymore. Some of the guys say they can't see as well. Well, I look around and see Sid (Sidney Crosby), Geno (Evgeni Malkin) and (Tampa Bay star Steven) Stamkos wearing visors out there. They're the best players in the game, and they have plenty of vision even though they use visors. There's probably no excuse anymore."
— Triblive.com
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno:
“My eyes are something I’ll never get back. You can get injured or cut just about anywhere else, but your eyes are the most important thing, and I can’t imagine not doing something to protect them. And as much as you play physical, there are so many things you can’t control in a game, like sticks and pucks. You know, just that one split second that maybe you’re turned the wrong way, and you don’t have a visor on, those things can hit you. You’ve seen that in the past, and I’d hate to be the one that has that happen because I didn’t wear a visor.” Read more here
— FOXSportsOhio.com
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly:
"It's a continuing discussion we have with the Players' Association and among our general managers. We have consistently been in favor of a rule mandating visors. The PA has historically been in favor of maintaining 'player choice,' coupled with continued education and sensitization. And, in fairness, the use of visors has continued to increase at a significant pace over the last several years. So, I'm not sure a single incident will materially change or impact the ongoing discussion or approach."
— ESPN.com
Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter:
"I’m a proponent of the shield. These kids, they play their whole life . . . with a shield or a cage, so why wouldn’t you continue to protect it once you’re playing at the highest level you can? That’s not Marc [Staal], that’s everybody."
— LAKingsInsider.com
Mathieu Schneider, former NHL player and current special assistant to the executive director of the NHLPA:
"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 decision. We will further discuss visors and other important equipment-related matters at our player meetings this summer."
— ESPN.com
Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault:
"Visors should be mandatory."
— TSN.ca
