In 20-plus years of newspaper reporting, there isn’t too much I haven’t witnessed of the gruesome variety.

And yet, somehow the nightmares and flashbacks have been minimal.

But like many people, I did a major turn away from the television Feb. 10, when the images of Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik getting slashed across the throat by a skate blade was repeated far too often.

It appears as though Zednik will recover from his injury, despite suffering significant blood loss.

The injury left everyone directly involved in the incident in shock, and for a moment, reminded them all that there are many things in life far more important than hockey.

But the last stitch had barely been planted in Zednik’s neck when the debate over neck protection began in earnest.

Thankfully, within Canadian minor hockey association circles, there is no debate.

Throat protectors are mandated equipment, end of story.

But somehow the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) seem far apart on whether the throat protectors should be required of all players.

Much like the overly-blabbed-about visor debate, from this side of the fence, it’s a clear issue.

But it’s an issue the players and the league seem to want to drag out.

It really grinds my gears when it is suggested attaching a visor to a helmet means a player isn’t as brave and tough as one who doesn’t wear one.

Just ask ex-Maple Leaf player Bryan Berard if he’d like his previous eyesight restored and he’ll probably say yes. Berard suffered major eye damage in 2001 after being struck by a high stick by then Ottawa Senators player Marian Hossa.

Extensive surgery and the use of a special contact lens has extended Berard’s pro hockey career.
But many suggest he has not been the same player since the injury.

As now, the debate over extra protection had players, members of team management and league officials sitting on both sides of the issue back in 2001 when Berard was injured.

Zednik’s injury comes 40 years after former Minnesota North Stars centre Bill Masterson died in a regular season game after falling and striking his head on the ice.

Following his death, the reaction was almost immediate, as the majority of players began wearing helmets.

What leaves me baffled is the fact today’s NHL players make millions of dollars more per season and play the game at a much faster and more physical level than their counterparts from 30 years ago.

And they are risking a lot more financially than the players of yesteryear.

For that reason, it would only make sense that they protect themselves in every way possible.

After all, as the rest of us are reminded of in the daily work world, they are only one or two paycheques away from financial hardship and a far less high-class lifestyle.

Leaf Nation designated hero Mats Sundin left me giggling days ago when he suggested what happened to Zednik was a “freak accident” and would probably never happen again in an NHL game for years to come.

Sure Mats, but do you want to tempt fate?

In the past few years, the level of respect players have for one another has been clearly lost and it’s become hunting season in the NHL.

If you don’t believe me, just ask Bobby Hull or any of the players in the Original Six league.

The number of suspensions this year and incidents where NHL chief enforcement officer Colin Campbell has been motivated to dish out fines has definitely increased.

Talk is cheap and the players now need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror.

Only by blind luck did Wayne Gretzky not end up in a wheelchair in 1991 when he was drilled in the mid-section from behind in a Canada Cup game.

No, the NHL and the NHLPA will only learn and respond to change after they have conducted funerals for one of their very own.

Wearing a visor and a neck protector doesn’t make a player any less courageous.

It just shows they are smart and realize they want to enjoy a more enjoyable life after they hang up their skates and shoulder pads.

The sight of so many hobbled and crippled former NHL forwards, defencemen and goaltenders should be enough to make today’s marquee players realize that in the end the ultimate price is way too high.