ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Count Blue Jackets' general manager Scott Howson among those who want to eliminate blows to the head of unsuspecting players sideswiped by opponents.

The subject of hits to the head is the major issue being debated at the NHL general managers meeting in Boca Rotan, Fla.

The challenge for GMs is to keep players safe without taking hard, legal hits out of the game.
 
An eight-man group will make a rule recommendation today to all 30 general managers and attending NHL officials. A formal proposal is expected to be delivered to the competition committee.
 
"We have to look to protect the vulnerable, unsuspecting player from the hits from the side and behind," Howson said.

He cited the shoulder-to-head hit delivered by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke on Boston's Marc Savard as a prime example of what the league should be curbing. Savard suffered a concussion on Sunday and was taken from the ice on a stretcher.
 
SHOOTOUT DISCUSSION

Howson said a small group of GMs were not sold on his ideas of awarding 1-1/2 points to shootout winners and no points to overtime losers.

They were, however, receptive to his proposal of changing the league's first tiebreaker to determine standings. Most wins is the current standard. Howson says the team with fewer shootout wins should gain the advantage.

The tie-breaker plan will be heard by the entire group today. Howson does not like the rise in three-point games that come from overtimes and shootouts.
 
Altering the point system did not make it out of Howson's breakout group, though.

"They are not ready for that yet," he said.

It's believed Howson wanted to introduce conversation about curbing three-point games in hopes it will gain traction at future meetings.

NO FURTHER DISCIPLINE

Blue Jacket forward Mike Blunden will receive no supplemental discipline for his checking Rich Clune from behind on Monday in Los Angeles. Blunden received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Blunden did not think penalty fit the crime.

"I didn't think I hit him from behind," Blunden said. "I saw the video and I didn't think I hit him from behind at all."
R.J. Umberger said, however, the check might have been unnecessary.

"I don't think it needed to be done," Umberger said. "(Clune) was in a clearly vulnerable situation. I thought the guy turned a little bit, but it's the respect factor for a guy who's in a vulnerable position."

treed@dispatch.com