Perhaps you missed all the discussions on Fox or ESPN radio which asserted that NHL would die if fighting was banned. This does not mean the fans who call in view it that way - just that the reporters see it like that. Not surprising, of course, as fights means major headlines, more newspaper sales, and more air time for these critics.
So do I, genius. But I prefer fights that are under controlled situations like martial arts and boxing. As you can plainly see from the video, players are getting seriously injured and their careers (and lives) are getting cut short because they are not controlled in the NHL.
a fight is controlled till one or both of the players obviously have had enough,(that doesn't take long), or until one or both
fall down, there is no punches allowed once a player has fallen, and almost all of the time, a player
will,( of his own accord), never punch a player that player has fallen.
it is a controlled fight fairly quickly after it starts, the linesmen are right there to intervene
at any point they decide is time.
One of the most sensitive parts of a fight is making sure one of them doesn't hit their head on the
ice, when falling down, but I have also seen a player hang onto the other player, preventing him from
hitting his head.
Most times when the fight is finished, (usually well under a minute), they nod to each other, and I
have seen one pat the other on the shoulder, almost a thank-you. Amongst the excitement of a fight,
there is also an element of respect.
Everyone who demands a certain kind of behavior from the players, always forget, it is the players who
play the game, who have played the game from little children, it is their game, not YOURS, or mine,
yet so many want to boss them around like they are still children and tell them how to play, what to do,
don't fight, do fight, just leave them alone, and along with the players association and the NHL, they
will monitor themselves, eg. a very good approach to reducing the concussions. they are all doing
their best to deal with that, and it is noticeably improving.
Brenden Shanahan played the game from a child, retired from the NHL, and now is totally in charge of
suspensions, fines and controlling players who step over the line.
He is NOT a businessman who is trying to make a big profit, he is not an owner, or a manager, he an
EX PLAYER, and has the players safety and good standing in his mind, and will do what he needs to do
to help them do better.
Each time he hands out a suspension he shows a complete video, explaing why the infraction deserved
a certain number of games suspension.
It is very clear to anyone who watches, there is no 'grey' area.
GOOD FOR HIM, he is doing a good job.
