Defending Big D, a Dallas Stars community

I'm guessing that Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida's Dale Tallon and Minnesota's Chuck Fletcher have the same writer. Witness their statements after firing their head coaches in recent days. Nieuwendyk: "I would like to thank Marc (Crawford) for the hard work he provided to the Dallas Stars. We wish him the best in the future." Tallon: "The entire Panthers organization would like to thank Peter (DeBoer) for his hard work and service to this franchise and wish him all the best in the future." Fletcher: "I would like to thank Todd (Richards) for the hard work he provided to the Minnesota Wild organization the last two seasons and wish him the best in the future."

"Clearly, the blindside and the unsuspecting player is what we're targeting. I don't think we're trying to reinvent the wheel here -- we have a great game. But in light of some of the hits -- obviously the David Booth one is kind of the alarming one that everyone took notice of -- I think it's going to be for the good of the game."

-Joe Nieuwendyk on the recommended head shot rule. If you haven't seen it yet, this is the language being shipped to the competition committee for review (h/t to Kukla):

A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or the principal point of contact is not permitted.