More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

[Dean Ambrose]

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is among a group of NHL GMs and executives who believe the time has come for the league and Players' Association to take a more aggressive path towards eliminating fighting.

"Yes, I believe a player should get a game misconduct for fighting," Yzerman told The Dreger Report. "We penalize and suspend players for making contact with the head while checking, in an effort to reduce head injuries, yet we still allow fighting.

"We're stuck in the middle and need to decide what kind of sport do we want to be. Either anything goes and we accept the consequences, or take the next step and eliminate fighting."

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=433262

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: More in GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

I really wish fighting would go away...

[Josh]

Re: More in GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

I'm gonna' say that I'm on the fence, but I'm starting to lean more heavily towards eliminating it. Staged fights are a joke, and if you don't eliminate fighting altogether then you'll always have staged fights. Plus, if we get rid of the goons we increase the quality of the game for everyone...

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

I'm probably in the minority, but I actually enjoy the Olympic hockey a lot because:

a) bigger ice
b) no trapezoids
c) no fighting
d) stricter penalty calls

[_13_]

Re: More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

fighting is a part of the game whether you like it or not. The fans want it and the players want it. Being such a physical sport tempers flare and players are dropping the gloves before they realize what happened, if fighting becomes illegal there will be suspensions every day of the season. Furthermore, if there is no fighting what is going to stop the dirt bags from taking liberties against the elite players. The only way fighting can be eliminated is if all contact is eliminated and that my friends is figure skating with a puck.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

The same thing that stops fights - tough rules and consistency in suspensions.

I agree with you in that it is part of the NHL game...but if the IIHF (and several other leagues worldwide) can do without it, so can the NHL.

[Josh]

Re: More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

What would be nice is if they could somehow do away with the staged fights while leaving in the heat-of-the-moment fights. It would be a better league without goons.

[Alfie11]

Re: More GMs in favour of eliminating fighting

What would be nice is if they could somehow do away with the staged fights while leaving in the heat-of-the-moment fights. It would be a better league without goons.

Agreed. A heat-of-the-moment fight is awesome. A staged fight is boring.