The NHL says it has no agreement to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Winnipeg or anywhere else if owners cannot be found to keep the team in Arizona, according to an ESPN.com report. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says that the league's focus remains on keeping the team in Glendale and "based on the communications and information" the NHL is receiving, those involved continue to be highly confident that the transaction can be completed.

Blindside hits to the head are a thing of the past in the NHL, according to an Associated Press report. The executive board of the players? union voted Thursday to accept a new temporary rule that will ban hits to the head against unsuspecting players. The decision takes effect immediately, starting with the league?s 11 games Thursday night. ?We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players,? NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ?The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game.?

NHL GM's will recommend a rule change on blindside hits to the head, looking to protect players and punish those responsible, according to an Associated Press report. The unanimous decision Wednesday came at the end of three days of meetings in which player head injuries was the predominant issue. The GMs will recommend to the competition committee that referees call a minor or major penalty for any hit where the primary point of contact is the head. Such a violation would be reviewed for possibly further discipline.