Major update to the NHL's Department of Player Safety

NHL fans have long been critical of the NHL's Department of Player Safety (DoPS) and, in particular, of DoPS head George Parros. Well, buckle up hockey fans because Parros and his department just earned themselves a lot more power.

According to a report from ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski, the DoPS will now rule on fines and suspensions who violate any league rule, not just on-ice infractions.

This, of course, now explains why Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander received a $5,000 fine for flipping the middle finger at cameras while he was in the press box. In the past, Parros and the DoPS wouldn't have any say over Nylander's penalty... now they call the shots.

From Wyshynski:

The NHL Department of Player Safety will now determine supplemental discipline for players who violate all league rules rather than just those who commit physical infractions, the league told ESPN on Tuesday.

It's a significant change in protocol for the NHL on fines and suspensions. Since the Department of Player Safety was formed prior to the 2011-12 season, it had been responsible for supplemental discipline for in-game physical fouls that violated NHL rules and/or caused injuries.

Players that violated other league policies -- inappropriate language, obscene gestures, abuse of officials and the like -- were disciplined by Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice president and director of hockey operations. Now, those punishments will be determined by Player Safety.

Honestly, taking power away from Colin Campbell is probably a smart move. But, giving that power to Parros is mostly just a lateral move.

In truth, the league's entire governing body needs an overhaul and it has for the better part of a quarter of a decade.