Puck Headlines: Blindside hit rule approved; Fehr to lead PA?

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

• The NHLPA released a statement this morning with their executive board's endorsement of the blindside hit to the head rule: "We fully support our Competition Committee Members’ endorsement of the League’s proposal to implement supplemental discipline this season for blindside hits to the head. Our agreement applies to the remainder of the 2009-10 NHL Regular Season, as well as the 2010 Playoffs. This temporary implementation will ensure that the joint NHLPA/NHL Competition Committee will have time to develop and consider a proper and full-time rule, one that includes an on-ice penalty component, this summer. We are encouraged by the League’s recent willingness to explore on-ice rule changes as a means of reducing Player injuries and have no doubt that by working together, a safer working environment can be established for all NHLPA Members." Supplemental discipline for these hits will begin with tonight's games. [NHLPA]

• Damien Cox on the latest NHL, NHLPA squabble: "Five years later, what was a noble concept meant to express a new sense of partnership between the league and the union, has turned into just another labour battleground." [Toronto Star]

• David Shoalts on Donald Fehr and his possible decision to take on the job as executive director of the NHLPA. [Globe & Mail]

• One more day to enter our NCAA Frozen Four Pick'Em bracket contest!

• Pittsburgh is 0-7-2 against the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils this season. Time to worry Brooks Orpik(notes)? "The way we’re playing now, we’ll be out in the first round. It’s getting pretty frustrating, yeah." OK then. [From the Point]

• Craig Custance on why the Penguins should be very worried about their recent play. [Sporting News]

• The NHL and Swedish Ice Hockey Federation have approved a new transfer agreement that will see that will see $225,000 paid for each player that leaves the Elitserien. From George Malik who does the translating: "The deadline for the transfer of players signed to contracts is June 15th, and, for players who are signed during their NHL Entry Draft year, August 15. The agreement allows players up to 22 years old, who were drafted in the first round, to play for Swedish clubs if they don't play in the NHL." [Snapshots]

• A 59-year old hockey fan collapsed and died during a Czech League playoff game between Vitkovice and Sparta Prague. The game was delayed 40 minutes in the first period as medics attempted to revive him. Both teams agreed to replay the game today. [USA Today via AP]

• Wayne Gretzky tells Pierre LeBrun that he'll be involved with Canada's World Championship team in a "behind the scenes" way. [ESPN]

• Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray believes that his team can play as physical as any team in the Eastern Conference. [Ottawa Citizen]

• After watching him play in person last night, Scotty Bowman says that the Canadiens shouldn't trade Carey Price(notes). [Montreal Gazette]

• He's played 196 career games in the NHL, but tonight's tilt against the New York Islanders will be the first time Calgary Flames forward Eric Nystrom(notes) plays in front of friends and family at Nassau Coliseum. [Calgary Herald]

• The latest NHL on NBC promo, with a twist. [Bloge Salming]

• Nashville Predators fans aren't taking Ken Campbell's recent relocation rumor talk well. [The View From 111]

• Back in 1954 the Detroit Red Wings played in an outdoor game against prison inmates. It's no surprise that the score was 18-0 after the first period. [Greatest Hockey Legends]

• Our buddy Lyle Richardson gets on his soapbox and joins the "Fire Sather" campaign. [Spector's Hockey]

• A Vancouver Canucks fan pounds on a poor Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks fan. Then takes a bow in front of a standing ovation before he's escorted out. [Busted Coverage]

• Looking at the best faceoff men in the NHL since 1997. [Behind the Net]

• Finally, now that the blind side hit ban is in effect, here's the final legal one we'll likely see courtesy of David Backes(notes) on Brian Rafalski(notes) last night