Ban Fighting? Come On, Get Real
Would the NHL really ban fighting?
Probably not, unless the league was committed to fiscal suicide. There are some aspects of fighting that are troubling, including the voluntary removal of helmets.
While this makes for great theater – like two gunslingers lining up on main street – it leaves fighters susceptible to head injuries when the hit the ice. Hockey Guy expects the NHL to ban that practice.
Also, the light could enforce additional penalties for tripping or body slamming during fights. Again, that exposes players to the risk of head injuries.
But here’s what happens if fighting is banned altogether: Retribution would become more medieval, with slashing, spearing and cross-checking becoming more prevalent.
Also, big head-first hits into the boards could be repaid with big head-first hits into the boards. Cheap-shot artists who refused to drop their gloves before would have free reign in the new world order.
Violence would not diminish. It would just take other forms – less marketable, more dangerous forms.
The key is to regulate fighting, which has been part of the game’s appeal throughout the modern era. Eliminating it would be a terrible idea, one that most NHL general managers would object to.
Even in this tough economy, hockey is enjoying a solid year at the gate. So why mess with the product?
Did you anybody booing?
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Agreed on the fighting. Guys have to be able to protect teammates or get their team fired up. I don’t propose going back to the Norris days when half the team was in the penalty box, but trying to eliminate it (like 10-15 years ago when Gretsky convinced the league to get rid of it) only leads to serious stick infractions. Guys settling it with their fists is the best and fairest way to go.
Ban fighting. Wow. I hope that never happens. If it is even being considered, then the continuing sissification of hockey isn’t just a myth as some would like to believe.
Are you pro-fighting types true fans of the sport of hockey or just fans of fighting in hockey? There is no fighting in hockey at any of the amateur levels; high school, college and international competition. I think the whole “they gotta fight to protect their teammates” opinion is a bunch of bunk. As for the increase in stick infractions that can be regulated with game misconducts, suspensions, and hefty fines. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see hard checking and clean bone crushing hits. But do any of you so called hockey fans not watch college hockey or the world juniors because there is no fighting? Pro hockey is still a tough sport even if they do ban the fighting. I say if you are going to have fighting in pro hockey then why not have it like is was in the old Norris days when a team’s fourth line was the goon squad?
PS: Back when I was a kid in the 70’s this was the perfect Saturday; a morning full of Tom & Jerry cartoons, afternoons watching Wrestling at The Chase, followed by roller-derby & finished off by a Blues hockey game. Back then I watched all three for the violence. The 1980 Olympics established hockey as a legitimate sport for me. I was 12 when I was watching that game (US vs USSR) and remember asking my dad why there was no fighting.
If you notice, of course no one was booing in the video…but banning removal of helmets during fights is an awful idea. in fact, you should be given an extra penalty for keeping the helmet on. if you drop the gloves, drop the helmet too. face your opponent like a man. at an early age, guys are taught to tuck the chin in when you are going down to prevent head injuries, be it from a fight or whatever… And frankly, how often do fights result in head injuries from hitting the ice? the helmet being during fights causes hand injuries.
banning fighting is completely insane. its part of the game. get rid of the instigator and return hockey to the pre-Buttman exciting days, where cowardly cheap shots had no place in the league. stick work and dirty hits cause way more injuries than fists of fury.
Buddy, you’re wrong! Fighting in hockey has always been the fairest way to settle a dispute. That said, there is fighting in college hockey. I took part in a few. After my team mate lost two teeth, I had the tough job of going after this guy. Not my best fight, but no one else lost any teeth that night!