Following New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal's injury involving a puck striking his eye on Tuesday night, the debate over a mandatory visor rule continued to pick up steam. Multiple sources have confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that the issue was raised during the league's labor talks in January, however, the union held firm to protect the "player's choice" regarding visors.
NHL players are currently not required to wear visors, despite league officials wanting to create a mandatory rule for all players to do so. "It's a continuing discussion we have with the Players' Association and among our general managers," NHL Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPNNewYork.com when reached via email Wednesday morning. "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."
According to NHLPA-gathered statistics, visor use among players continues to increase. Approximately 73 percent of players chose to wear visors this season, a growth from the 69 percent in 2011-12
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