The NHL wants to adopt a new rule against blindside hits to the head before the end of this season, according to two reports Wednesday.

The league is hoping to fast-track the proposed rule and is preparing a DVD package after a number of players suffered concussions this season.

"It's a process that has never been done before in the season," NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell told the Globe and Mail in a story published online early Wednesday. "But this is so important an issue that if we can possibly avoid just one concussion, we should do this." [READ]

The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that they have signed free agent defenseman Jake Newton to a three-year entry-level contract.

Newton, 21, just completed his freshman season at Northeastern University (Hockey East).

He played 34 games for the Huskies this season, scoring 22 points with 10 penalty minutes. The 6-3, 200-pound blueliner led all team defensemen in scoring.

"We are very happy to announce Jake's signing," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "He has a combination of size and skill, making him one of the top offensive defensemen at the college level this season."

A native of San Jacinto, CA, Newton played youth hockey in Southern California. [READ]

The Ducks announced on Wednesday that the club has reassigned left wing Kyle Calder to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Calder appeared in 14 contests with Anaheim this season, collecting two assists (0-2=2) with eight penalty minutes. Calder tallied his first point as a Duck on Nov. 25 vs. Carolina in a 3-2 Anaheim win. He was originally assigned to Toronto on Dec. 30 and recalled on Mar. 15. With the Marlies, Calder has scored 11-13=24 points in 31 games, including three goals (3-1=4) in his last two AHL contests. [READ]

Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson will be out up to three weeks with an undisclosed upper body injury during Tuesday night’s loss to the Islanders, according to an Associated Press report. [READ]

Flyers goalie Michael Leighton is day-to-day with an ankle injury.

The team said Wednesday that Leighton is scheduled to have an MRI exam Thursday.

He is 16-5-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .918 save percentage since joining the Flyers on Dec. 15. [READ]

Stars center Mike Modano will miss two weeks of action following an aappendectomy.

Barring any setbacks, Modano would return before the end of the regular season.

"We're going to miss him," Stars coach Marc Crawford said. "You think right away with Mike is his ability to settle things down in intense games and to make a big contribution on the power play. Our power play has struggled here of late and we'd love to have him on that unit. He'll be missed." [READ]

The NHL has fined Tampa Bay's Steve Downie an undisclosed amount for his incident with Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby on Sunday, a source told ESPN.com.

The league opted not to suspend Downie.

Downie received a two-minute penalty for roughing 40 seconds into Sunday's game after taking down Crosby in a play that saw both players' legs lock. [READ]

The gold-medal puck is being sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Canada's Sidney Crosby used it to score the game-winner in the 3-2 overtime thriller Feb. 28 against the United States at the Vancouver Olympics.

"I am happy to see that the puck is going to the Hockey Hall of Fame," Crosby said in a statement Tuesday.

"I feel very lucky to have been part of that team and that game as well, and I am glad hockey fans will get the chance to share the moment by seeing things like the overtime-winning puck up close." [READ]

The Blackhawks announced Tuesday that defenseman Brian Campbell will be out approximately seven to eight weeks with a fractured clavicle and fractured rib.

Campbell suffered the injuries Sunday when Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin hit him into the boards.

"He will likely avoid surgery, and we anticipate a full recovery," Blackhawks physician Michael Terry said in a statement. "He should be ready to play in approximately seven to eight weeks."

Ovechkin issued the following statement:

"I am very sorry that Brian was injured, and I hope he is able to return to his team soon. NHL hockey is a physical game. We all play hard every time we are on the ice and have battles each shift in every game we play, so we can do our jobs and win. As players, we must accept responsibility for our actions and I am no different, but I did not intend to injure Brian and that is why I was disappointed with the NHL's decision yesterday.

"Every time I have the honor to play for my team, I will continue to do what I have done since I was taught to play. I will play hard, play with passion and play with respect for my teammates, opponents and fans. I look forward to returning to my team and doing everything I can to be the best player I can be." [READ]

Lightning forward Ryan Malone underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on his left knee today, Executive Vice President and GM Brian Lawton announced. The procedure was performed by Lightning Medical Director Dr. Ira Guttentag.

Malone is expected to be out for 10-14 days. During that time he will also continue to receive treatment for an upper body injury that has caused him to miss three of the previous four games. [READ]

Mike Modano of the Stars is out indefinitely after the star center underwent surgery to remove his appendix.

The 39-year-old Modano, who holds the NHL career scoring record for U.S.-born players, underwent the surgery on Monday, according to an Associated Press report. [READ]

The NHL has suspended Alex Ovechkin two games for his boarding hit on Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell.

Ovechkin, who was suspended for two games on Nov. 30, 2009, now is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

He will miss Washington's next two games -- March 16 at Florida and March 18 at Carolina. [READ]