Scott:

This was certainly a missed elbowing minor penalty at the time on the ice. The referee on the goal line was primarily responsible to make this call, which occurred in and around the action of the puck. The ref failed to do so because he pulled back and retreated deep into the opposite corner and above the goal line which prevented him from gaining the proper sight line to see the play and make a call. The back referee would have been in a straight line to the play and most likely had an obstructed view looking, at the very least, through James Neal's back.

Michael Del Zotto set himself up to contact James Neal with a left shoulder check. Neal threw on the brakes and made a sharp cut behind Del Zotto to avoid the hit. Del Zotto immediately recognized Neal's avoidance tactic and squared and elevated his body back toward his opponent for a reverse hit. With his eyes focused away from James Neal, Michael Del Zotto extended his right arm and threw it back at the last second to make himself bigger in an effort to contact/check his opponent. The quick alteration in both of their body positions combined with Del Zotto throwing his arm blindly back caught Neal in the face. This was a quick reflex reaction by Del Zotto and in no way malicious or a "flying elbow" as was described by the on-air broadcaster.

It is most unfortunate that James Neal sustained a concussion on the play and will not accompany the Penguins on the next three games of their road trip. Beyond a minor penalty for elbowing, which should have been assessed by the referee, Michael Del Zotto deserved nothing more and certainly not a suspension from the Player Safety Committee. While Del Zotto intended to make contact with Neal, there was no deliberate attempt to target the head of his opponent and accidental contact resulted, which unfortunately resulted in an injury to James Neal. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Injury does occasionally result from accidental contact. The hockey community lost a dear friend in Wade Belak in September of 2011. I was involved in an accidental collision with Wade when he was a member of the Calgary Flames that caused him to miss two games as a result of the whip lash and a slight concussion he suffered on the play.

Wade was skating hard along the boards near the red line where I was standing when play was whistled stopped. Wade did not see me standing in this position and continued on a collision course. Just prior to contact I went vertical, braced for the hit and turned my left arm straight down and stiff as a board. My 'tricep' muscle (just above my elbow pad) caught Wade on the bridge of his nose and staggered him. He meandered back to the bench like a wounded deer and was unable to return to action. Wade missed the next game in Calgary (which I also worked) as a result of the whip lash and slight concussion he sustained from the unexpected contact he received in our collision. Wade Belak later told me how much 'razing' his teammates gave him since he was their tough guy and got knocked out by a little referee!

TORONTO, ON -- The I's still need to be dotted and the T's still need to be crossed, but it's almost set in stone that we'll see an outdoor game in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium next season.

According to a well placed source, the parties involved -- the NHL, the Kings, the stadium -- are still putting the finishing touches on the details, but it's "basically a done deal."

In February, we first reported that multiple outdoor games are in the works for the 2013-14 season.

Earlier today, the NHL officially announced/re-introduced the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighted by two alumni games.

This will be the first of multiple outdoor games next season.

The Winter Classic is expected to attract record crowds, with more than 250,000 people anticipated to attend the SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival, which takes place at Comerica Park and begins in mid-December.

For Los Angeles, it'll mark the first regular-season game to occur outdoors in a non-traditional hockey climate. The Kings' opponent is yet to be determined.

Dodger Stadium won't be the only outdoor game, aside from the Winter Classic. The NHL has been involved in endless discussions with the folks over at Yankee Stadium to stage a Rangers' home game in the facility. It's unclear how those conversations have progressed, as the NHL is also considering other alternative venues outside of New York, but their preference is The new House That Ruth Built.

There is some belief that the NHL will stage both outdoor games on the same day, possibly on Hockey Day in America, with the game in the East (likely NYC, around 1pm ET) kicking things off, followed by the game at Dodger Stadium (possibly starting at 1pm PT, 4pm ET).

But wait, there's more!

There is a good chance we'll also witness an outdoor game north of the border.

The Heritage Classic is expected to make its return next season, as well. This too, is not yet final, as every Canadian market has expressed an interest to host this event, but the front-runner is still believed to be Vancouver, with the Edmonton Oilers as the possible opponent.

Minnesota, Denver, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington and other clubs have also tossed their hats in the ring for future outdoor games, including the Winter Classic.

With realignment coming into play next season, plus the Olympics, the NHL won't kick-start the campaign in Europe. As the New York Post reported this morning, the European Premiere Games aren't happening next season and are part of future discussions the League plans on having with the NHLPA about international games (including the return of the World Cup of Hockey).

The NHL is expected to formally announce the games at Dodger Stadium, presumably Yankee Stadium and the Heritage Classic until everything has been finalized. There is no timetable as to when that will happen, though I suspect we'll hear something during the playoffs.

UPDATE: 4:40pm ET

Further to this morning's piece, it appears the Anaheim Ducks will be facing off against the Kings at Dodger Stadium, according to TFP Senior Writer Dennis Bernstein.

As per another source, the games in Los Angeles and Yankee Stadium (providing once they finalize details), will take place in late-January.

The initial plan for the Heritage Classic -- which will occur at BC Place in Vancouver, unless something changes -- is to schedule the game after the Olympic break. There is a chance that plan could change, however, but details are limited at this point.

An NHL source told me earlier today the League is expected to make a formal announcement as early as the end of the regular-season, or at some point in the early part of the playoffs.

The most interesting, albeit unconfirmed, news out of all of this is that the NHL might -- brace yourselves -- hold a FIFTH outdoor game next season.

Yeah, that's right. (Outdoor games for everyone!!)

Again, this is unconfirmed, but there's chatter about Chicago hosting an outdoor game. Discussions have absolutely taken place, but it's unclear if they're simply talking about the Blackhawks being part of the game in New York, Chicago being the backup plan if things at Yankee Stadium fall through, or the team hosting a Winter Classic in 2015, although Minnesota is believed to be next in line for a WC.

The Blackhawks hosted the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, losing 6-4 to the Wings.

Keep in mind, between the lockout, the two-week stoppage in next season's schedule because of the Olympics (which means no All-Star Game, which is big for the League and its sponsors -- fans love attending that event, stop complaining), and no Premiere Games in Europe next season, the NHL wants to capitalize on various opportunities to attract fans, and maximize revenues, in big markets throughout the entire season.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Winter Classic (Detroit vs. Toronto) could go on sale as early as May. The Maple Leafs will have their own special announcement tomorrow at the Air Canada Centre, with various alumni on hand (Wendel Clark, Darcy Tucker, Ron Ellis).