Mueller has concussion -- Out indefinitely

The thing I've yet to figure out is this:

In an interview with the Denver Post's Adrian Dater, Mueller stated that he'd be wearing a new helmet for the coming season:  the Cascade M11 series, which has garnered some significant recognition after being endorsed by Mark Messier, is supposed to be the safest helmet on the market when it comes to preventing head injuries.  In the aforementioned interview, Mueller stated they were still working on getting the helmet properly fitted for his head.

This might surprise a few readers, as many (if not most) NHL players, and professional athletes in general, have their equipment custom fit for performance and safety reasons.

The problem with Wednesday night's game?  Mueller still hadn't had the Cascade M11 helmet fitted correctly, he wasn't even wearing it.  Instead, he was playing in the game (and practicing, etc.) wearing the same helmet he wore last season (and presumably in the seasons prior), which didn't do a very good job at preventing injury when Rob Blake knocked him headfirst into the boards last April.  Obviously, it didn't do a very good job on Wednesday either, as he has another concussion and as I stated earlier, is listed as being out indefinitely.

The question I have is this:

If Mueller wasn't wearing the proper equipment, why was he being allowed to play at all?

Yes, Mueller underwent rigorous testing with team doctors and had been cleared for contact, but I'm at a loss as to why he would be playing against the Kings without his new helmet.  In my experience (and personal opinion), such risks shouldn't be taken, especially when they can be avoided.

So if you were to ask me, I'd say the Avalanche coaching staff (and perhaps to a lesser extent, the management) have some explaining to do.  If Mueller was at risk, and once you've had a concussion, you're never really over it, trust me as I speak from experience, why would you gamble with his health?  And in a preseason contest no less?

I'm not trying to point any fingers here, because obviously nobody expected to lose Peter Mueller (especially this early in the 2010-11 season), but the fact remains that he probably shouldn't have been playing at all.

I'm going to keep an ear to the ground and try to pick up anything new that rolls around regarding Mueller's condition (and hopefully the recovery to follow), but until then, and until we get some answers, I'm more than a little disappointed with the Avalanche's safety protocol, or lack thereof.

The Avalanche play again on Friday against the Dallas Stars in Dallas.  Let's hope that for one, nobody else gets hurt and two, somebody can step up and fill Mueller's skates for the foreseeable future.