In response to the unfortunate death of former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson, who suffered a fatal neck injury during a game in England, several members of the Penguins team have started testing out neck protection gear during practice sessions. Defenseman Erik Karlsson, along with fellow defensemen Ryan Graves and Marcus Pettersson, as well as forward Lars Eller, all donned black guards that wrap around the neck, covering the main arteries.

The decision to try out neck guards came after Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan encouraged players to wear protective gear following Johnson's tragic accident. Johnson, who played for Pittsburgh between 2018 and 2020, lost his life in what was described as a "freak accident" while playing for the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite Ice Hockey League in England.

Neck guards have already been mandated for players in the Penguins' minor league affiliates, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team of the AHL and the Wheeling team of the ECHL. Sullivan expressed hope that the NHL would develop more options for protective gear in vulnerable areas, considering the potential positive outcome of Johnson's tragic incident.

For Karlsson, wearing a neck guard is not new. Growing up in Sweden, it was mandatory for players to wear neck protection, even in the men's league. Karlsson recalled that his own injury, a lacerated Achilles tendon, led him to adopt protective socks, which have since become common in the NHL. He believes that neck guards could follow a similar trend.

Fellow defenseman Graves shared his own close call with a neck injury during a game, revealing that he narrowly avoided being cut on the neck by a skate two seasons ago. The incident, along with Johnson's death, has made him more aware of the need for protective measures.

Eller and Pettersson also expressed their willingness to consider using neck guards in the future. Eller mentioned that his initial experience with the guard felt uncomfortable due to its newness, but he believed he could get used to it with time and some design improvements. Pettersson emphasized the impact Johnson's incident had on the entire Penguins team, making them realize the potential dangers that exist on the ice.

While Penguins captain Sidney Crosby did not wear a neck guard during practice, he commended the availability of such protection as a step in the right direction. Discussions regarding the implementation of neck guards have sparked conversations among players across the league, including Edmonton Oilers' star player Connor McDavid, who highlighted the importance of both comfort and safety in the fast-paced game.

As players continue to test and evaluate the use of neck protection gear, the NHL community is contemplating potential future changes in protective equipment. The aim is to prevent tragic incidents like Johnson's and keep players safe from serious neck injuries on the ice.