More evidence of a lack of concussion control in the NHL

From where I sit it looks like the NHL needs to take a closer look at concussion protocols...

via veooz.com
The real problem is how do you force someone to admit they're hurt? It's the playoffs. It's a tie game. Max Pacioretty doesn't want to miss a shift, never mind taking 20 minutes in the quiet room. If it was me, there's no way I would speak up. Why not? As the NHL like to remind everyone #BecauseItsTheCup. Generations of hockey fans have grown up on the legends of Maurice Richard, Bobby Baun, and dozens of others who simply ignored pain and played. It's a badge of honour in pretty much every sport. The ability to put physical discomfort aside to make an impact on the game. That being said it's one thing to play with a bloody foot or broken ankle, it's something else significantly if you have a concussion. And yet, control of the issue remains with the athlete. In other words, it's up to the person whose brain isn't working to decide if their brain is working. Somehow that logic seems flawed. This isn't just an NHL issue, but at some point all the sports that feature collisions will need to have independent doctors ready to evaluate players where there's even a hint of brain trauma. Until that happens I remain concerned it will take a tragedy for anything to change.

At least that's how I see it, and I sit in the cheap seats.