After five years of ongoing legal battles between the National Hockey League and over 100 players regarding concussions, a tentative deal has been reached.
The settlement is reportedly worth around $19 million, with the NHL not acknowledging any liability for the players' claims that the league failed to better prevent head trauma and warn players about long-term risks.
Attorneys for the over 100 players say the deal will provide a cash payment to players who choose to participate, which works out to about $22,000 each, as well as $75,000 in medical treatment for players who test positive on two or more tests.
Neurological testing and assessment for players will be paid for by the league and players have 75 days to opt into the deal.
CTV NEWS Legal Analyst Ed Prutschi of Criminal Law Canada said the refusal to take responsibility is normal.
"It's always a concession from the plaintiffs that they don't get to actually hear a party take responsibility," he said. "But what they benefit from that is it means the litigation closes down, they don't have to take any of the risks that are associated with the trial, they don't have to spend any more money on legal fees and they get whatever the agreed upon settlement is."
At least one player who joined the lawsuit in June doesn't want the settlement.
Former NHLer Daniel Carcillo slammed the deal on social media.
"To all former players, do not accept this settlement for the concussion lawsuit," the Stanley Cup winner said on Twitter, citing players will be looked at by league and player association doctors to determine eligibility.
He even called on Wayne Gretzky to weigh in on the issue, saying "lack of pressure from former players is a direct result of this insulting attempt at a settlement."
Ironically the settlement news came down on the same day as the NHL's Hockey Hall of Fame induction in Toronto.
Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald said the settlement is positive.
"I think it's fabulous, you find common ground and you move forward," he told CP24. "It's a very important issue and needed to be addressed."
The payouts to players pale in comparison to the billion-dollar agreeement reached between the National Football League and its former players.
"It sounds like a small figure, it sounds like something the league certainly can latch onto and pay relatively easily," Prutschi said. "But clearly someone in the players law firms offices said, this is the best we're going to do."
Along with medical expenses, the league will also set up a "Common Good Fund" which will be set up for retired players in need.
Those players can be those who did not participate in the lawsuit.
Dr. Nick Reed is the clinician scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, which has partnered with the Greater Toronto Hockey League on its concussion policies and said a positive is head injuries getting attention.
"We need to make sure that all those involved in activities of any nature including hockey where there are risks to concussion are well aware of what concussion is," he said. "No longer are we trying to knock on people's doors and get the opportunity to perhaps share this knowledge, we're being invited."
With files from CP24 and the Associated Press