Mandatory equipment changes after a rash of dangerous skate lacerations

TSN insider Chris Johnston reports today that the NHL and the NHLPA are working to enact significant equipment changes following a rash of dangerous skate lacerations around the league.

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane's wrist laceration earlier this season sparked debate about whether or not the league should mandate "cut resistant" technology to its equipment and another scary cut to Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin has once again ignited those conversations.

From Johnston:

"There's a push now to mandate cut resistant equipment for all players entering the league. That's a significant change. The NHL and its general managers have been monitoring the number of lacerations in recent years and now what's changed is that there have been four more significant injuries this season and it does look that at this point that this is pushing ahead. 

- Chris Johnston

Johnston's TSN colleague Darren Dreger points out that the NHLPA would have to sign off on any proposed new changes. 

For those not aware, and I certainly wasn't before researching for the purposes of writing this article, but there are undergarments made that actually feature this cut resistant technology. New players entering the league would be mandated to wear full sleeves of these undergarments and it's expected that teams would switch over manufacturing of their socks and jerseys so that they would retain the same cut resistancy. Honestly... it's all a bit over my head, but if this means that we won't have to see an ugly incident like we did with Kane earlier this year then I'm all for it.