Should fighting be allowed in the NHL?

[topspin]

Hockey season is just around the corner. There is an ongoing debate over whether fighting should be allowed in the nhl. There are die hard hockey fans that say that the game has always included fighting and that it should stay. Yet, it's still fighting and an open act of violence that kids do imitate.

Fighting is often used as an attempt to change the momentum in a match.

Personally, I think momentum can be changed by other means just like it is done in sports where fighting is strictly forbidden (ie: soccer, football, etc). I realize the game is more popular in certain cities because of fighting but this is not an excuse to continue to allow it.

What's your opinion?

 

[J-man]

Sure why the hell not? Its apart of the game. One of the reasons why it appeals to people and players.

 

[maverick66]

i hate the whole what about the kids argument. if a parent cant sit down and explain to a kid whats going on they fail at being a parent. i grew up in a town where hockey was huge and there very rarely fights in the game because parents and coaches would explain that it wouldnt be tolerated.

 

[max]

Topspin. Have you actually played hockey?

 

[topspin]

Topspin. Have you actually played hockey?

I'm Canadian! Of course I've played hockey. Just for fun though but played it extensively. You ask the question as if I need to have played hockey to ask the question though. Sorry but that is simply not relevant.

I live in Montreal which is hockey's mecca. We live and breathe hockey here. Someone that does not live here cannot understand it. I've watched a lot of hockey games in person both at the junior and professional level. I used to think that fighting was 'ok' because it was just part of the game and everyone, including the players, saw it that way and that they'd just laugh about it after the fight. Don Cherry will tell you that this is the case all the time but it simply is not. There are vicious fights where players 'lose it' and keep on beating up on another player. Charges have been laid against some. Most recently in Quebec, Patrick Roy's son has got in trouble for this type of situation. For those that saw the fight in question, they will agree that it was absolutely disgusting and cowardly to keep on beating up on his opponent well after he is down and out.

Hopefully, no one will argue that such cases have no part in the nhl or anywhere else. The fact that you're part of a game does not mean you are exempt from the law. The thread is about fights in general though; so I'm including both the 'regular' fights and the ones that get out of hand.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

of course fighting should be allowed. It is hockey- not tennis.

 

[adams_1]

Wait... you mean you can actually have hockey without the fighting? How do you win?

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Yes, I am a fan of the NHL (go blackhawks!) and I watch it when I can't go outside and play tennis. Fighting is the punchline (no pun intended) of a game. It's the highlight of a good hockey match. The NHL should, however, make it safer for players. There was a goalie (can't remember his name) who got his neck cut up by some jerk player (who btw is the record holder for violence-related suspensions) using his skate as a jitsu blade.

 

[gj011]

No. If hockey needs fighting to make it exciting enough and if it is the highlight of the game, than there is something really wrong with the NHL.

I never understood all these NHL fans obsession with fighting. I love European and Olympics hockey, but NHL just does not do it for me, mostly because of the fighting and small crowded rink.

 

[J-man]

Yes, I am a fan of the NHL (go blackhawks!) and I watch it when I can't go outside and play tennis. Fighting is the punchline (no pun intended) of a game. It's the highlight of a good hockey match. The NHL should, however, make it safer for players. There was a goalie (can't remember his name) who got his neck cut up by some jerk player (who btw is the record holder for violence-related suspensions) using his skate as a jitsu blade.

Richard Zednik and Malrachuck back in the day had their throat cut from a blade of another player

 

[gj011]

Richard Zednik and Malrachuck back in the day had their throat cut from a blade of another player

That was an accident, not a result of a fight or intentional use of a skate as a blade.

 

[topspin]

No. If hockey needs fighting to make it exciting enough and if it is the highlight of the game, than there is something really wrong with the NHL.

I never understood all these NHL fans obsession with fighting. I love European and Olympics hockey, but NHL just does not do it for me, mostly because of the fighting and small crowded rink.

I agree 100%. Very good post. Hockey really is an amazing sport and does not need fighting to survive. The fight-loving fans that would be lost would be more than easily replaced by those who love the actual athleticism and skill in the game itself.

No doubt fighting in the NHL is embedded to the point that it is used as a strategy and intimidation factor. Junior leagues do the same. But things are slowly changing; there are newer stricter rules in Quebec this year following that ugly incident mentioned earlier. I'm not sure if other junior hockey associations are following the lead.

 

[J-man]

That was an accident, not a result of a fight or intentional use of a skate as a blade.

Read the post I quoted. Making it safer for players

 

[YULitle]

How'd did this idea come about?


"Hey! Does anyone have any ideas for how we could get rid of what little fan base the NHL has left?"

"You could, errrr.... stop them from fighting."

"genius"

 

[mrDamien]

Let's fight. Its a part of the game. You need to fight for the ball in order to score a goal. The Sens :twisted:.

 

[James Limborg]

Hockey, Fighting

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Hockey is NOT a fighting sport game... There IS 'checking' involved (the act of one player pushing the other player into the wall boards) which leads to the fighting. And so it would be very hard NOT to fight due to the consistant checking involved. If there IS fighting... It should be immediately STOPPED... and a MAJOR penalty involved... one that will make ALL players NOT want to even BOTHER fighting. Perhaps the referee should get more involved deciding if a check was appropriate or way out of hand. I don't watch hockey ever... because OF the fighting. It seems to be a fighting game... rather than a nice hockey game like I'd like to see. If the sport of hockey could somehow get rid of the fighting... and show us some great hockey talent instead... I would start going and be happy to go. I think they 'game' of hockey is great and fun to play. There are lots of talented hockey players out there that don't get seen by fans like me because of the fighting. I love the sport of hockey... just not the fighting. There is TOO MUCH fighting going on in hockey for me to want to watch it. I hope someday that changes.

 

[topspin]

How'd did this idea come about?


"Hey! Does anyone have any ideas for how we could get rid of what little fan base the NHL has left?"

"You could, errrr.... stop them from fighting."

"genius"

that 'fan' base knows very little about hockey, they just enjoy watching a few big guys pound each other. It's must like the racing fans that go to the track waiting for a crash. The sport will survive just fine without them.

 

[El Diablo]

I don't understand what you mean by "allowed." Fighting results in a penalty in hockey; are you asking whether the penalty should be eliminated? Or made more severe? Hockey fans will recall that some assaults with a stick have led to criminal prosecution, and I'm all for that. Fighting in any sport other than those in which players AGREE to fight (boxing, MMA) is unacceptable and should be penalized harshly, including criminal prosecution.

 

[YULitle]

that 'fan' base knows very little about hockey, they just enjoy watching a few big guys pound each other. It's must like the racing fans that go to the track waiting for a crash. The sport will survive just fine without them.

I dunno.... if you found a way to eliminate crashes in Nascar, I'll bet they would notice it in the ticket booth.

 

[dpfrazier]

Semi-regulated fighting keeps the low-value goons from going after the high-value stars...

P.S. Go Sharks!

 

[Hot Sauce]

As a long time hockey fan, I believe that fighting is a part of the sport. I don't feel it is absolutely necessary, and I would continue to watch the sport with or without the fights. Generally, hockey fights are ones where the scrap ends when someone falls down, or they tire out. What is NOT accepted, and should not be accepted are cheap shots like Bertuzzi on Moore, Mcsorley on Brashear, and even huge beatdowns like Cloutier on that other goalie. If one player is clearly just destroying the other, then I think that should be broken up right away. But there's nothing wrong with a little friendly scrap here and there.

 

[tbini87]

not a big hockey fan, and the best part for me is a good fight (or two!). i don't really agree with the whole "it is a bad example for the children" argument. just seems pretty weak. not to mention there have been some good fights and poor behavior in all types of sports (probably all of them at some point).

 

[tbini87]

I don't understand what you mean by "allowed." Fighting results in a penalty in hockey; are you asking whether the penalty should be eliminated? Or made more severe? Hockey fans will recall that some assaults with a stick have led to criminal prosecution, and I'm all for that. Fighting in any sport other than those in which players AGREE to fight (boxing, MMA) is unacceptable and should be penalized harshly, including criminal prosecution.

i think hockey kind of fits in with boxing and mma when it comes to players AGREEING to fight, haha! half the time it is mutual. i think it would be ridiculous for criminal prosecution for two grown men throwing blows because of dirty play (whether it be hockey, baseball, football, whatever). HOWEVER, i have seen some cheap shots that i think some people should have gone to prison for. hitting someone with a bat or stick is obviously not fair or mutual and someone who pulls a stunt like that should be kicked out of the league. but simple clean fighting shouldn't warrant criminal prosecution imo.

 

[YULitle]

not a big hockey fan, and the best part for me is a good fight (or two!). i don't really agree with the whole "it is a bad example for the children" argument. just seems pretty weak. not to mention there have been some good fights and poor behavior in all types of sports (probably all of them at some point).

Even something docile like ice dancing!

 

[tbini87]

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Hockey is NOT a fighting sport game... There IS 'checking' involved (the act of one player pushing the other player into the wall boards) which leads to the fighting. And so it would be very hard NOT to fight due to the consistant checking involved. If there IS fighting... It should be immediately STOPPED... and a MAJOR penalty involved... one that will make ALL players NOT want to even BOTHER fighting. Perhaps the referee should get more involved deciding if a check was appropriate or way out of hand. I don't watch hockey ever... because OF the fighting. It seems to be a fighting game... rather than a nice hockey game like I'd like to see. If the sport of hockey could somehow get rid of the fighting... and show us some great hockey talent instead... I would start going and be happy to go. I think they 'game' of hockey is great and fun to play. There are lots of talented hockey players out there that don't get seen by fans like me because of the fighting. I love the sport of hockey... just not the fighting. There is TOO MUCH fighting going on in hockey for me to want to watch it. I hope someday that changes.

i hate the idea of getting referees involved to decide if a check is appropriate or out of hand. i think they already get involved enough if a player breaks a rule, but deciding if a check is "too rough" or something along those lines is way too wishy washy. whats wrong with being allowed to hit as hard as possible? it kind of reminds me of how the NFL has made the QB practically impossible to hit. they are still football players, and should be allowed to be hit imo.

 

[tbini87]

Even something docile like ice dancing!

haha, i was just thinking about something like... curling or golf (i guess it depends who you ask to know whether those are sports or "games"). hasn't there even been some foul play (off the ice... of course) with ice skating?!? craziness.

 

[topspin]

I don't understand what you mean by "allowed." Fighting results in a penalty in hockey; are you asking whether the penalty should be eliminated? Or made more severe? Hockey fans will recall that some assaults with a stick have led to criminal prosecution, and I'm all for that. Fighting in any sport other than those in which players AGREE to fight (boxing, MMA) is unacceptable and should be penalized harshly, including criminal prosecution.

Good question. By 'allowed' I mean that it is a part of the game. If it wasn't 'allowed', then there would not even be a system for issuing major or minor penalties or instigator rules etc. By not allowed, I mean like in football or soccer, where fights are immediately broken up (if possible) and players ejected from the game and later possibly suspended.

 

[topspin]

I dunno.... if you found a way to eliminate crashes in Nascar, I'll bet they would notice it in the ticket booth.

Probably so. I do think that hockey is very different, well at least in Canada. I know it is seen as a bit of a 'freak' thing in the USA, mostly due to a very very bad movie made by Disney a long time ago. In either case, look at F1 racing; f1 fans continue to attend and watch the races and they certainly do not wish for any crashes. I've been to many f1 events in Montreal and can tell you that the mood of the crowd dies completely if there is a serious crash. I know without a doubt that fans would continue to attend live f1 events and watch it on tv if there were never another accident in f1. Maybe the same can't be said of Nascar. I'm hoping hockey is more like f1 than Nascar in that sense.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Probably so. I do think that hockey is very different, well at least in Canada. I know it is seen as a bit of a 'freak' thing in the USA, mostly due to a very very bad movie made by Disney a long time ago.

Slapshot? Or The Mighty Ducks?

 

[Hot Sauce]

Probably so. I do think that hockey is very different, well at least in Canada. I know it is seen as a bit of a 'freak' thing in the USA, mostly due to a very very bad movie made by Disney a long time ago. In either case, look at F1 racing; f1 fans continue to attend and watch the races and they certainly do not wish for any crashes. I've been to many f1 events in Montreal and can tell you that the mood of the crowd dies completely if there is a serious crash. I know without a doubt that fans would continue to attend live f1 events and watch it on tv if there were never another accident in f1. Maybe the same can't be said of Nascar. I'm hoping hockey is more like f1 than Nascar in that sense.

I hope you're not referring to the Mighty Ducks. I loved those!

 

[YULitle]

Probably so. I do think that hockey is very different, well at least in Canada. I know it is seen as a bit of a 'freak' thing in the USA, mostly due to a very very bad movie made by Disney a long time ago. In either case, look at F1 racing; f1 fans continue to attend and watch the races and they certainly do not wish for any crashes. I've been to many f1 events in Montreal and can tell you that the mood of the crowd dies completely if there is a serious crash. I know without a doubt that fans would continue to attend live f1 events and watch it on tv if there were never another accident in f1. Maybe the same can't be said of Nascar. I'm hoping hockey is more like f1 than Nascar in that sense.

Right. I was definitely just thinking of the US. I realize that while the NHL was on strike, hockey was still doing well in Canada. But here, it became even more of a second-rate sport than it already was.

 

[max]

I"m a hockey fan and I used to play it; defense. It's an essential part of the sport. I think the question's been badly framed here, with the heavy suggestion that all fighting is bad or is simply a device to get an audience.

Sure, this happens. But much of it is just defending turf or your player or preventing a goal. Some of it is grandstanding, etc.

I think one big problem with hockey's popularity as a televised spectator sport is that it's tough to spectate: small puck, harsh white surface glare.

Big Blackhawks fan. They're certainly doing all the necessary things right, and adding good moves on top of this! Looking forward to it all.

 

[dpfrazier]

Yes, I am a fan of the NHL (go blackhawks!) and I watch it when I can't go outside and play tennis. Fighting is the punchline (no pun intended) of a game. It's the highlight of a good hockey match. The NHL should, however, make it safer for players. There was a goalie (can't remember his name) who got his neck cut up by some jerk player (who btw is the record holder for violence-related suspensions) using his skate as a jitsu blade.

I"m a hockey fan and I used to play it; defense. It's an essential part of the sport. I think the question's been badly framed here, with the heavy suggestion that all fighting is bad or is simply a device to get an audience.

Sure, this happens. But much of it is just defending turf or your player or preventing a goal. Some of it is grandstanding, etc.

I think one big problem with hockey's popularity as a televised spectator sport is that it's tough to spectate: small puck, harsh white surface glare.

Big Blackhawks fan. They're certainly doing all the necessary things right, and adding good moves on top of this! Looking forward to it all.

Wow, this board is teeming with Blackhawks fans! Unfortunately for them, these are also Shark-infested waters...

I'll be in Chicago on Nov 16 to visit Northwestern with my daughter. But the real reason for the trip is to watch the Sharks shred the Blackhawks. CHOMP

 

[topspin]

I got some interesting news: the amount of fights in the Quebec junior league has gone from 55 to 9 compared to last year. So far so good. The owners and fans have also mentioned that the games have featured a good level of intensity and skating speed.

 

[baek57]

No. If hockey needs fighting to make it exciting enough and if it is the highlight of the game, than there is something really wrong with the NHL.

I never understood all these NHL fans obsession with fighting. I love European and Olympics hockey, but NHL just does not do it for me, mostly because of the fighting and small crowded rink.

nothing wrong with watching hockey for the fights. its the same as people who watch nascar for the wrecks.