NHL, NHLPA discussing safety after player's death in England - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The NHL and NHL Players Association are in discussions about additional safety measures following the death of Adam Johnson over the weekend.

Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in England's Elite Ice Hockey League on Saturday when his throat was cut during a collision with a Sheffield Steelers player in what the Panthers called a «freak accident.» He received medical treatment on the ice and was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital, where he died.

Johnson played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and three AHL teams during his career.

The incident sparked renewed interest in neck guards for players at all levels of hockey — including whether they should become a mandatory part of an NHL player's equipment. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Tuesday that the team will mandate neck protection for its AHL and ECHL clubs and urge players at the NHL level to do the same.

On the day after Johnson died, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh to open a conversation about additional cut-resistant protection for players.

«Whether it's something that's mandated directly or on a phased-in basis, that's something we'll discuss with the players' association,» said Bettman, speaking after a Stadium Series news conference at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday.

Bettman said the NHL doesn't «impose equipment changes without the agreement» of the NHLPA. He said the league wants to prioritize protection but added that NHL players have the right to make some decisions for themselves.

Walsh said those discussions have just started among the players. After speaking with Bettman, Walsh reached out to Joe Reekie, a former NHL defenseman who heads the union's