Red Wings Dylan Larkin could be suspended for brutal head shot

This NHL preseason has been very physical, with some pretty violent incidents that have gained a lot of attention from the league. With teams readying for the regular season, some seem to push their limits; instances of high intensity that not many fans and analysts were expecting have been the result. It was one of those moments that continues to spur debates on the nature of preseason hockey, as it was last night between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the third, Detroit's Dylan Larkin delivered a blatant hit to the head of Toronto's Marshall Rifai. Larkin took a two-minute minor penalty on the play for an illegal check to the head, at least according to the referees, who some might say were being fairly generous with the call. Luckily for Rifai, he wasn't injured on the play despite how hard the hit was, and he didn't miss any time.

This has raised some eyebrows, as this isn't the first time Dylan Larkin has been involved in some questionable hits. Gifted with skill and speed, Larkin recently spoke to the belief that he has yet to reach his full potential. However, his growing reputation for physical plays that cross the line may very well be outshining any player development that he's experiencing. This incident is a further addition to the pattern of behavior that begs many questions about whether he needs to start considering rethinking his approach on the ice.

One would not expect this kind of hit during the NHL preseason, which can be considered a period where teams iron out strategies and test talent. Recently, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has talked about possibly changing the preseason setup, indicating that a 'trimmed-down' preseason may be discussed. In fact, this issue would probably be deliberated on by the league's board of governors in future meetings with their growing concern about unnecessary injuries and aggressive play before the actual season starts.

Also included in those discussions is the expansion of the regular season from 82 to 84 games. The way things are going, especially with the likelihood of more teams joining the NHL within the next few years, the possibility of such expansion is quite likely. Whether these changes will create a preseason that is both safer and more effective, only time will tell, but what is clear is that the league needs ways to fit player safety with competitive intensity.