Checking is definitely a part of the game of hockey and that should never change. But over the last few years there has been an attempt to remove unnecessary headshots from the game of hockey. With the rise in information about concussions it makes sense.
But this hit from today's KHL action is the exact sort of hit people are trying to remove from the game. On this play Buffalo Sabres prospect, Prokhor Poltapov, approaches a defender who had already moved the puck. Poltapov then leaves his feet and drives his should directly into the defender's head.
On the play Poltapov was given a 5-minute major and a 20-minute game misconduct. He's also likely to hear from the league's player safety department.