Jack Hughes still wants to have the choice.

The New Jersey Devils star goes to battle every night looking for any potential edge in a sport that, at the highest level, has razor-thin margins.

Feeling good on the ice in an NHL game is a big part of the equation.

With that in mind, how much cut-resistant gear, which moved to the forefront of hockey91裸聊视频檚 safety conversation last season after the death of a player from a skate cut to the neck during a game in England, does Hughes wear under his equipment?

91裸聊视频淣ot nearly enough,91裸聊视频� he replied. 91裸聊视频淕otta be comfortable.91裸聊视频�

That decision, however, could one day be taken out of players91裸聊视频� hands.

The American Hockey League, the NHL91裸聊视频檚 top development circuit, has made cut-resistant neck protection mandatory for anyone taking the ice beginning this season.

That followed the decision ahead of the 2023-24 AHL campaign to mandate cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves.

The NHL has no such rule 91裸聊视频� it would have to be collectively bargained with the NHL Players91裸聊视频� Association 91裸聊视频� but deputy commissioner Bill Daly hopes a time comes where that91裸聊视频檚 the case.

91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e moving in that direction,91裸聊视频� said Daly, who added an overwhelming majority of players currently wear cut-resistant socks.

The league and union strongly emphasized wrist sleeves ahead of last season, according to Daly, before neck protection became a focus following the death of Elite Ice Hockey League player Adam Johnson, an American who previously had brief stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, at age 29 in October 2023.

Neck guards were already mandatory in two of Canada91裸聊视频檚 three top junior leagues 91裸聊视频� the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League 91裸聊视频� prior to the incident in England. The Western Hockey League followed suit last November, while the International Ice Hockey Federation subsequently made neck protection mandatory at its tournaments.

A handful of NHL players took it upon themselves to wear neck guards last season after Johnson91裸聊视频檚 death, including then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi.

Daly, however, said he understands the pushback.

91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e the highest level of the game,91裸聊视频� he said at last month91裸聊视频檚 NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. 91裸聊视频�(They) don91裸聊视频檛 want to be told necessarily what to do and what not to do, particularly when it could affect performance on some basis. They91裸聊视频檙e not going to jump into allowing us to make it mandatory.

91裸聊视频�(The NHLPA is) working constructively with us to at least make the players aware of the benefits of protecting themselves better than they have in the past.91裸聊视频�

Daly said the league proposed a rule for cut-resistant gear.

91裸聊视频淏ut we clearly understand where the union91裸聊视频檚 coming from,91裸聊视频� he continued. 91裸聊视频淎nd some of the difficulties they have with their constituents. It91裸聊视频檚 (a) process.91裸聊视频�

A process that could eventually mirror the introduction of other safeguards.

Players entering the league ahead of the 1979-1980 season were mandated to wear helmets. Visors, meanwhile, became compulsory in time for the 2013-14 campaign for anyone with fewer than 25 games of NHL experience.

The league has seen some scary moments involving skate blades. Buffalo Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk survived a cut to his neck in 1989. More recently, Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane suffered a deep cut on his wrist in November 2022.

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki got a look at the latest models of cut-resistant equipment at the recent player media tour.

91裸聊视频淒efinitely a bigger conversation,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ut I like to have the freedom of what I91裸聊视频檓 wearing. We91裸聊视频檙e all professionals and old enough to make our own decisions.91裸聊视频�

Suzuki did point out he wore neck guards in minor hockey and the OHL: 91裸聊视频淒idn91裸聊视频檛 really affect anything.91裸聊视频�

So why take it off?

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 know,91裸聊视频� he replied. 91裸聊视频淚 was just following what everyone else has done.91裸聊视频�

Vegas Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel said players are set in their ways.

91裸聊视频淕uys are pretty committed to whatever they91裸聊视频檙e using,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淵ou see guys 91裸聊视频� they91裸聊视频檝e had the same shoulder pads or shin pads for 15 years.91裸聊视频�

Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson, poised for his 16th NHL season, sees a day coming when neck protection is mandatory.

91裸聊视频淓verything seems burdensome when it91裸聊视频檚 a change,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ut its intention is in the correct place. Time rolls on like anything else 91裸聊视频� just becomes normal.91裸聊视频�

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett suffered a skate cut to his ankle when he was younger. He doesn91裸聊视频檛 think NHLers would put up much fuss on neck guards.

91裸聊视频淕uys have just gotten used to not wearing it, myself included,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hey know why and the reasoning behind (a potential mandate). It sucks it had to happen the way it did for it to shed some light.91裸聊视频�

Hughes, however, believes the choice should remain with individual players.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e the ones in our gear every day,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e the ones that want to keep ourselves safe 91裸聊视频� last year was really unfortunate.

91裸聊视频淏ut I think that91裸聊视频檚 up to the guys.91裸聊视频�