Hockey is supposed to be a fast game, but there’s nothing speedy about the way the National Hockey League has dealt with the problem of players hitting their opponents in the head.

The league’s general managers have had this subject on their agenda several times in the past, including at their meeting last year, but to their discredit did nothing about the problem. At that time, the general managers thought they couldn’t reduce the number of hits to the head while maintaining a physical style of game.

Sadly but not surprisingly, having chosen not to solve a problem, the general managers still had a problem this year — which became painfully evident when Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins delivered a heavy hit to Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins, knocking him out of the game he was playing on Sunday. Cooke used his shoulder to hit Savard’s head. Savard left the ice on a stretcher. He remains under medical observation and may well miss the rest of the season. Incredibly, this was his third concussion of the season.

Cooke’s hit was technically legal within the rules of the game. There lies the problem. The National Hockey League’s rules are unacceptable. When the league’s rules are so loose that a player can suffer three concussions in a single season, there clearly is a need to change those rules.

The general managers discussed the subject of hits to the head again at their winter meeting in Florida this week, and, belatedly but wisely, decided to change the league’s rules.

A group of general managers has recommended that referees impose a penalty on a player whose hit primarily lands on another player’s head. The league’s competition committee still has to approve the penalty, but let’s hope that will just be a formality. Even so, it’s doubtful the tougher rule will be in place this season or during the playoffs. More players like Savard could be concussed during that time.

Of course a player should be penalized for hitting a player’s head. A stronger rule is obviously needed. Furthermore, all amateur sports leagues should review their rules to make sure their players are reasonably protected.

The National Hockey League might have thought that hitting other players was part of the game’s appeal but hits to a player’s head cannot be justified on any grounds. The concussions caused by these hits are serious and may have a long-term effect.

Speaking before the general managers made their decision, Nashville Predators’ general manager David Poile seemed to understand the problem. “Even if we only have a few of these every year, we’re trying to get it down to zero,” he said.

That’s the attitude the league should take toward hits to the head and other violent acts that are sometimes accepted as “part of the game.”

But does the league really get it — even now. We have serious doubts it does not. The new rule only penalizes blindside hits to the head — that is a hit a player cannot see in advance because he is looking the other way. But why not outlaw all hits to the head? Moreover, the league refused to suspend Cooke for his nasty blindside shoulder to Savard’s head earlier this week. Such leniency sends out a bad message.

Hockey players should not have to risk their health just because they want to put a puck in a net. The sooner the NHL realizes it, the better it will be for players and fans alike.