Marc Savard knows a thing or two about getting your bell rung.

The former NHLer suffered six concussions during his 14-season career, and was forced to retire in 2011 due to his history of head injuries.

So when Savard spoke Wednesday about headshots and how the league should be addressing them, people took notice. Especially when the two-time former All-Star invoked the league's biggest name.

"As I sit here and I think back to the (Sidney) Crosby situation with (Matt) Niskanen - I know it doesn’t look deliberate but it’s still a headshot and I think there needs to be a suspension no matter what whether it’s deliberate or not," Savard said Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Mike Johnston.

"You still hit the head whether you meant to or not."

Savard also argued that the NHL needs to be making a stronger statement with the number of games handed down for headshot suspensions, sending a clearer message to players that hits to the head won't be tolerated.

"There needs to be time served for that just so players are even more aware so no matter what it’s an area you can’t hit," said Savard. "It needs to start at, I don’t know, seven games. It needs to get up in the big numbers right away so it’s that clear."

Seven games may be a tad extreme, especially for first-time offenders, but Savard may be on to something with his desire for stiffer suspensions.

The NHL has come a long way in terms of player safety over the last decade, but it can still do a better job of protecting its players from serious injury. Implementing mandatory suspensions would go a long way to ensuring that the best players on the planet spend the most possible time on the ice.

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