Leafs worth the most

For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL's most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine's annual survey.

The Leafs are worth $470 million, an increase of 5 percent over last year. They easily are worth more than the next franchise, the New York Rangers at $416 million.

The original six franchises are in the top seven, with only Philadelphia at No. 5 breaking that monopoly. Montreal is third ($339 million), followed by Detroit ($337 million), Philadelphia ($273 million), Boston ($271 million) and Chicago ($258 million).

The Carolina Hurricanes, No. 21 on the list, were valued at $177 million, up 5 percent.

Hits to head targeted: The NHL is getting closer to making a recommendation about how to reduce hits to the head.

The league's 30 GMs and their assistants wrapped up meetings with a discussion of the issue Wednesday and decided to formulate a small committee to take a closer look at it before they get together again in March.