In the NHL prior to bett turd, players stayed on a team sometimes for an entire career. They played for each other, and come playoff time they played for the love of the game. Also there was a code, and if you breached it, you dealt with 20 other guys. A simple body check wasn't outside the code like it is today. Today, an NHL team is 25 independent contractors. Would you work well in an environment where 4 guys make 40 to 50 per cent of the payroll and the scrubs split the rest?
Also, today there is no disputing the players are faster, but not bigger, and they are in better shape, which isn't all good. These modern players train so hard and the game is so fast there is very little tolerance for their bodies to absorb the impacts. And lastly, and IMHO, there is no consequence to their actions. In an 82 game season, these guys have no problem sitting a 2 or 3 game suspension. The NHL has zero interest in lessening traumatic head injuries, so the cheap shots will go on and on.