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The plague of professional hockey, concussions have also cut other stars' careers short. An injury unlike a torn muscle or tendon, more common within other sporting associations such as the NFL and NBA, concussions never fully diminish in effect. After the first case of head injury, an athlete is much more likely to be subject to a second or even third subsequent case. As a result, measures are often necessary to reduce the likelihood of such a instance being realized.

Demonstrated in the past, many superstars have had to completely alter their playing style to suit their newfound liability. Big names like Eric Lindros and Pat LaFontaine top a list of players who have had hall-of-fame talent relegated to the history books because of injury worries.

With the new season upon us, it is unclear as to whether the new rule changes will continue to promote or reduce the likelihood of concussion incidents. While the removal of hockey's red line endorses more skillful play through the open ice and thus cutting the number of collisions, it alternately increases the possibility of substantial forechecks in response to speedy forwards booking to receive a two-line pass. It is truly an issue demanding resolution that lies with the protection of our player's who skate onto the ice each-and-every-day for the fans.

Deadmarsh fits in the mold of a player who might've had 5-10 more years of professional hockey within him. Unfortunately, we will never know what the Colorado legend might've had to offer. As we move into this new NHL era, we close the book on several of the names that we have come to identify with hockey objectively. I end my report in bidding farewell to one of the sport's true enforcers -- an athlete on the ice and a gentleman off.