Fighting in the NHL

[timber09]

Went to a wedding this weekend in Calgary with a bunch of guys I played college with and this was a pretty debated point on a couple of instances (after numous cocktails of course) which got fairly heated at times as well.

My take is that the current format and climate of hockey fights in the NHL needs a complete makeover. Watching a premeditated fight between Derek Boogaard and Cam Janssen, two guys who can't skate a regular shift or play a lick of hockey if there isn't a fight invlolved, is just completely pointless to me within the realm of the game. Don't get me wrong, I watch fights like anyone but their is no real hockey rationale for that fight to happen. It doesn't spark either team, it doesn't prevent any cheapshots either way, and doesn't effect the outcome of the game one bit.

Now - fighting should certainly exist - but in my pefect game, it is normally not premeditated and a completely organic event. Two guys battling in the corner, in front of the net, tempers soar and the mitts drop.

To me there is nothing worse that wasting a roster spot for a guy that is going to see three shifts a game and his only job is to go and fight the other teams goon at the agreed upon time. If you can't play a regular shift, you shouldn't be out there. I would much rather have a bunch of Rich Tochetts or Ian Lapierierre out there than a bunch of Sandy McCarthys out on the ice.

But that's just me.

 

[fly4apuckguy]

Went to a wedding this weekend in Calgary with a bunch of guys I played college with and this was a pretty debated point on a couple of instances (after numous cocktails of course) which got fairly heated at times as well.

My take is that the current format and climate of hockey fights in the NHL needs a complete makeover. Watching a premeditated fight between Derek Boogaard and Cam Janssen, two guys who can't skate a regular shift or play a lick of hockey if there isn't a fight invlolved, is just completely pointless to me within the realm of the game. Don't get me wrong, I watch fights like anyone but their is no real hockey rationale for that fight to happen. It doesn't spark either team, it doesn't prevent any cheapshots either way, and doesn't effect the outcome of the game one bit.

Now - fighting should certainly exist - but in my pefect game, it is normally not premeditated and a completely organic event. Two guys battling in the corner, in front of the net, tempers soar and the mitts drop.

To me there is nothing worse that wasting a roster spot for a guy that is going to see three shifts a game and his only job is to go and fight the other teams goon at the agreed upon time. If you can't play a regular shift, you shouldn't be out there. I would much rather have a bunch of Rich Tochetts or Ian Lapierierre out there than a bunch of Sandy McCarthys out on the ice.

But that's just me.

No, it's not just you.

Beautifully put. I could not agree more.

Unfortunately, a lot of the decision makers can't see the difference between the pre-meditated goon scuffle and the organic event. I am afraid a lot of uneducated fans can't, either.

 

[carlyazfan]

Here's a solution:

1) Eliminate the instigator rule and the chance of suspension that it entails.

2) Replace with a two minute minor for delay of game. Think about it - the game was delayed while the fight was on.

3) Have the refs and linesmen step in immediately to halt the staged fight. Such as the two heavyweights go at the start of a game. Give each two for delay, two for unsportsmanlike and a game misconduct. Then we get to see four-on-four to start the game too!

Or, my "out of leftfield" suggestion: Ban fighting entirely. Instead, have a designated fighter on each team for that particular game. This wouldn't have to be the "enforcer" every time either. This way the Cookes and Ruutus might have to actually fight for a change. If the game goes to a shootout, offer a chance of that or a "punchout". They could flip a coin (puck?) to determine which one it would be. Shootout proceeds as now. Winner of the punchout (voted on by on-ice officials and text messages from fans viewing on TV) wins the game for his team. Just a thought...


Dave.