NHL Officials Try to Dilute the Punch : Hockey: Legislation to get tough on players involved in fighting will be considered at meetings.

The seemingly docile exit of NHL President John Ziegler was the first major surprise of hockey’s traditionally quiet off-season.

Now, less than two weeks later, the other shoe could drop during the NHL’s Board of Governors meetings as legislation is considered that would essentially mean the gloves will be dropped for the last time--figuratively speaking.

Fighting will probably never disappear from hockey, but there has been a slow, steady evolution among hockey’s old guard. And Harry Sinden, general manager of the Boston Bruins, has emerged as the leading architect of legislation banning fighting.

Sinden’s proposal is simple: a game misconduct for those who engage in fighting and additional sanctions for players who instigate them.

Howard Baldwin, owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has taken it one step further, putting forth a creative six-point plan. In addition to a game misconduct for fighting, a fight in the last 10 minutes of the third period would result in a game misconduct for the next game. Also, among other things, Baldwin calls for a swifter resolution of disciplinary cases and increased authority for linesmen.

Under current rules regarding fighting, there are two ways a player can receive a game misconduct:

--Receiving a two-minute penalty for instigation in their second fight of a game.

--Earning three fighting majors in one game.

At these meetings, any change in the rules must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the board of governors. Naturally, there is a wide range of opinion. The hierarchy in Hartford is split--the Whalers’ new general manager, Brian Burke, does not support the new legislation, while owner Richard Gordon is against fighting. King owner Bruce McNall says it is time for a change.

“We’ve got to protect the stars of the game--Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux,” he said. “Could you imagine the NBA not protecting Michael Jordan?”

Ziegler’s successor will also be considered, and an interim president could be named. Gil Stein, the league’s vice president in charge of legal matters, is the front-runner. A succession committee for a permanent replacement will be appointed in Montreal.

Also, the board of governors are looking for someone to succeed its longtime chairman, Bill Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks. McNall could be the successor, although he has indicated he would be interested only in a short-term position.

NHL Notes

Among the notable Kings’ players who have been left unprotected in today’s expansion draft are right winger Dave Taylor, forwards Scott Bjugstad, Sylvain Couturier, Jay Miller and defenseman Tim Watters. Each NHL team can protect 14 skaters and two goaltenders and players with less than three years of professional experience are exempt. The Kings aren’t in serious danger of losing Taylor, 36, who has spent his career in Los Angeles. Officials from the Ottawa and Tampa Bay expansion teams have said they don’t want to select any aging, high-salaried players. And Taylor intends to play only one more season. Watters, 32, could slip away because he could provide experience and a relatively low salary. Teams can’t lose more than two players in the draft.