Fisticuffs in the NHL

[Lines]

http://www.nhl.com/rules/rule56.html

The basic point of this thread is to understand forum members'
feelings regarding fighting in the NHL (hockey in general).
How do people in the forum feel about the rules regarding
fighting in the NHL?

Obviously, there is not right or wrong answer.
I would be interested in any any links/videos
you may post on the subject.
The posting of a link/video does not necessarily
mean you agree with that link/video, it just is providing
information about view of the subject.

Jody Shelley

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090106_161746_4580

David Branch

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090106_185341_31876

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=2724254

[habsrule]

My thoughts on fighting in hockey is that it's needed. You have big men skating around very fast with light, but very protective equipment carrying sticks in their hands that are at times flying all over the place. I think you need fighting in the game to stop people from being reckless. Fighting makes you somewhat accountable for your actions. The only problem I see with fighting is the instigator rule. Getting rid of the instigator rule would make players even more accountable for their actions.

As far as rules in the fights go, well I guess their probably isn't any specific rules for the fight itself, but for the unwritten ones - I don't like to see guys taking shots at guys that are already down. There's nothing that makes me happier during a fight then seeing a guy hold back whne his opponents knees touch the ice for a brief moment.

I'm also starting to think something needs to be done about the whole taking your helmet off thing. As I suggested in another thread (something I heard from someone else) I think they should have a "tear-a-way" visor if that's what you're choosing to do. I don't see a point in guys trying to protect the hands instead of the heads. With concussions being as common as they are nowadays, this might help prevent a few more a year.

[JBissell]

current rules are fine

to be fair fighting is a big selling point in non-hockey markets... why cripple it even more than it is

[PatSox]

Fighting is a very neccassary very enjoyable part of Hockey. I'm glad fighting is becoming more common again.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/063HgmTg2sa7N/340x.jpg

[habsrule]

Just because I love seeing "stars" drop the mitts, here's one of my favorite vids....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkCW-QyXATc

And here's what I think the new #1 for that vid should be seeing as it took place in the Stanley Cup Finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_c5fj0r3uk&feature=related

[DoomKroom]

i think its just fine the way it is, really who doesnt enjoy a good fight every now and then.

[airjasper]

Fighting is a necessity in the NHL. There is no point on penalizing people more.

[bigystyle]

fine the way they are.

[Lines]

When I was younger, at times I would watch hockey just for the fights.
As I grow older, I tune into the hockey to see the skills of the players (bascially to watch a hockey game); and for fights I watch MMA. Not sure of what exact rule changes should happen, but I wouldn't mind seeing some changes to limited the fighting to the bare minimum.

[HellsAngel]

Why change it now?

It is a part of the game.Some of my favorite players of all time were goons,Probert,Domi,Mcsorely,etc etc

[Jen Zwain]

It is nto only NEEDED but it serves a purpose too. It acts as a blow off valve in a very dangerous sport. Also, it helps protect the players that are not 6'5 245lbs from the ice enforcers.

Most fights, are very balanced between two men around the same size, and style of play.

[Jabberwocky Supafly]

Fighting in hockey is awesome!

The ONLY thing I want to see changed is this:
I think the league should make it mandatory for fighters to keep their helmets on while fighting. Bruising knuckles on helmets are part of the bargain, we'd all rather see that than more people going into comas and dying, or getting serious brain injuries.

I think helmet/visor makers should look into making helmets that have visors that can slide up and out of the way should a visor-helmet player choose to fight.

Besides that, keep up the fights!

[habsrule]

Fighting in hockey is awesome!

The ONLY thing I want to see changed is this:
I think the league should make it mandatory for fighters to keep their helmets on while fighting. Bruising knuckles on helmets are part of the bargain, we'd all rather see that than more people going into comas and dying, or getting serious brain injuries.

I think helmet/visor makers should look into making helmets that have visors that can slide up and out of the way should a visor-helmet player choose to fight.

Besides that, keep up the fights!

They already have a removable visor. Now I don't how simple it would be to just pull off before the fight, but it's not somethign that would have to come a far way to get.

Some guys around here where them because in some men's leagues around town you have to wear a visor and in others you don't. Played against a guy last night that was playing with his removed.

[Lines]

Georges Laraque

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090121_130813_44200

[reezykeezy]

25-1 wow! Well .. it is an MMA forum. What did you expect?

[habsrule]

Looks like the league is going to start enforcing the instigator rule more to try and curb the rise in fighting n the NHL. Not that I like the Instigator rule, but I'm getting sick of every big hit turning into a fight these days. I get it if it's your star player, but Joe Third-Liner is getting stuck up for it's getting out of hand.

Also read something on TSN that the GM's are considering a 10 misconduct penalty for "planned fights". This one seems to have a real big gray area the way they've talked about it so far. And I'm really not fond of the idea at all.

[KINGofLA]

NHL has become a league for fast Euro players.


Where are the Tie Domi's?? Donald Brasheers? Marty Mccsorleys??


You don't see guys like that anymore... if anything they should reduce the penalty for fighting to encourage more of it!

[A.H]

NHL has become a league for fast Euro players.


Where are the Tie Domi's?? Donald Brasheers? Marty Mccsorleys??


You don't see guys like that anymore... if anything they should reduce the penalty for fighting to encourage more of it!

to what end?

Listen, im far from anti fighting and I agree that gone from the league are the Tie Domi's, Donald Brasheers, and MArty McSorleys.

Instead we get ALOT more Bob Proberts and Cam Neely type players. Players that are just as talented in fist i cuffs as they are in playing the game of hockey.

I personally dont see a down side to that, to be honest! So what, we got rid of some fighters that couldnt play the game and could only fight, whats so wrong with that?

Id rather watch players that score and get assists and know their position on the ice when they not fighting, if we being honest here.

I always respected Bob Probert and Cam Neely and Gary Roberts (in his prime) more then any other fighters in the league when they were playing because they could do more then just drop the gloves.

As I said, im not against fighting but I like the fighters in the league ALOT more then when Cement head was protecting Gretzky or Tie Domi was stinking up the arena when not fighting!

Just because your a fighter does mean you should also be talentless.

I cheer the loudest when Im watching Edmonton play and someone like Strudwick or Stortini get a goal because they actually helping the team out in more areas then just dropping the gloves (which they still do with regular frequency I might add).

You really can have your cake and eat it to regarding this topic!

Im glad the days of the PURE GOON are gone, because first and foremost I tune in to watch a hockey game!

[habsrule]

Not sure the days of the goon are gone yet, but that may be what they are working towards with this 10 min misconduct thing they're talking about. Brashear's still around and so are the likes of Laraque, Boogaard, Koci, Orr, Cote, Roy, MacIntyre, and I could go.

That being said, I have no problem with these players in the league. I think they keep some players honest and the game a little less chippy. If a team is willing to put a guy in their lineup that they know will only be getting 3-8 mins of ice time all the power to them. Not what I'd do if I were a coach, but I get why it happens.

I think if you get rid of the "goons" the league will get worse then it already seems to be as far as dirtiness goes. If you think guys like Avery, Ruutu, and Ott (that one's for you PatSox) are dirty know I think they would only get worse if the chance of having their face caved in by Boogaard isn't there.