Neck guards are discussed

Even a neck guard may not have prevented Richard Zednik’s near-fatal injury Sunday.

“What happened a couple days ago, a neck guard wouldn’t make any difference. The neck guard just comes this high, you know?” Florida’s Olli Jokinen, whose skate cut Zednik, said while gesturing about halfway up his neck. “If you watch what happened to Richard, the cut was a lot higher.”

Most players don’t like to wear neck guards, which are made of material like Kevlar or foam. Some players, including Panthers forward David Booth, say wearing a guard is uncomfortable and “chokes you.”

The NHL says there has not been any discussion of mandating neck guards. “Players are free to use them if they so choose,” spokesman Gary Meager said.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that it has been sold to OK Hockey LLC, a group controlled by Los Angeles TV and movie producer Oren Koules. The NHL still has to approve this deal, which is expected to be completed in 3 1/2 months.