Article on fighting in the NHL

[ritari330]

"I don't think people understand the nerves and the kind of mindset that fighters go through. I've stayed up nights not sleeping a wink because I know I'm going to fight someone the next day. It's one of those situations where it's not natural to go out and fight every day or to have that constant threat of a fight, even though it might not come. ... Some guys might not be able to sleep, and they take some stuff to help them sleep."

-Chicago Blackhawks defenceman John Scott, on the difficulty of an enforcer's life after the accidental substance abuse-caused death of Derek Boogaard

The human toll of fighting in the NHL - Silver Seven

 

[SLY]

I'm sorry, but for millions of dollars, grow a pair.

 

[ritari330]

You just read the quote I put down, didn't you Jeff?

 

[SLY]

You just read the quote I put down, didn't you Jeff?

lol, I'm literally laughing... yes.

 

[ritari330]

They go on to talk about Bob Probert...

 

[jstewismybastardson]

didnt read the link but just want to comment on John Scott ... the notion of banning fighting wouldnt be so contentious if we stopped and realized that a full ban would surely mean the end of John Scotts "hockey" career

 

[awaz]

i read the article.. but i disagree with almost everything in it..

fighting causes brain damage, i'll give you that.. and sometimes it can cause things that are worse, like CTE which from the sounds of it is horrible.. these are terrible things, no doubt

but to say that players dont have a choice is pretty ridiculous IMO.. players absolutely have a choice.. maybe they'll get called pansies for not fighting, or cowards if they are like matt cooke and turtle when people try to give them what they deserve.. but if what fans are saying really bothers you, 1. you shouldn't be in the limelight and 2. you shouldn't be playing in a disrespectful manner that would cause someone to want to beat your face in.. if you cant take the heat, dont dish the heat.. i get that they want to make the NHL and that they've worked hard for it for most of their lives.. but sometimes life's a bitch.. i played soccer in the fall, winter, and spring for the first 18 years of my life and it didnt work out.. so i went to college and settled for real life, they can do it to, sorry its not what you wanted

and the link to substance abuse is the one that i found most ridiculous.. he named i think 5 fighters that had drug problems, and 3 guys that didnt.. i dont have time to look at the whole list, but in an article defining the connection you should have more than 60% of the names you list be fighters.. seeing as how that's not the case, i have a hard time believing the numbers are that overwhelming.. now you may say 'oh but there are so many fewer fighters than regular players'.. well those fighters happen to be the ones behind (and in front of) more body checks as well.. enforcers play a more physical brand of hockey when they're fighting, and when they're not.. i expect enforcers suffer more injuries of all varities than normal skaters do, so blaming fighting isn't going to cover it for me.. hockey is a violent sport, and i would expect thosee involved in the most violence to be in worse shape later in life..

and i dont think getting rid of fighting gets rid of hitting, and i'm sure nobody does.. enforcers will still be in the game, they just might not be as big, but they'll probably be faster.. hitting isn't going anywhere.. if you cant fight to change momentum, people will hit to change momentum.. last time i checked we were trying to curtail huge hits that result in injuries

i'm far more concerned with the blind side hits that are changing lives in split seconds, not fights that build up damage over 20 years.. and getting rid of fighting does absolutely nothing to curb blind side hits.. IF ANYTHING (caps for the fact that this might not be true either) it would lead to them being more prevelant

 

[elocomotive]

I'm sorry, but for millions of dollars, grow a pair.

I'm sure you'd love it if every week you had to fight someone at your job. No other major sport has fighting integrated the way hockey does. It just isn't necessary.

 

[SLY]

I'm sure you'd love it if every week you had to fight someone at your job. No other major sport has fighting integrated the way hockey does. It just isn't necessary.

Ummm... First off I would love to come here and fight people for a salary of say 1.6 million a year.

 

[SLY]

I am also a person who loves to fight...

 

[elocomotive]

I am also a person who loves to fight...

Fighting is an activity that, while necessary in limited circumstances, is generally the domain of lesser minds and even weaker egos.

 

[awaz]

Fighting is an activity that, while necessary in limited circumstances, is generally the domain of lesser minds and even weaker egos.

i whole heartedly agree with that.. but i think it is, maybe not necessary, but i think it is a useful addition to the game of hockey.. it terms of both selling the game as a product (entertainment value), and in terms of gameplay.. a solid fight can change momentum, just like a good penalty kill can, or a good save, etc.

 

[SLY]

Fighting is an activity that, while necessary in limited circumstances, is generally the domain of lesser minds and even weaker egos.

What're you trying to say?

 

[Comeds]

My opinion is the same as it has been, I think the right thing for the NHL to do would be to ban or seriously curb fighting, but I am not certain I want them too. I am leaning closer to that all the time though.

I knew people who liked to fight as kids and teenagers but luckily they grew out of it. Any adult I have known who looked for fights or liked getting into them has been very intellectually challenged or just a very sad person. Or they just liked to grapple with men.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Staged fights have to go. They are rarely entertaining as today's enforcers generally just tie each other up; these fights also add nothing to the game. Two guys who are lucky to score 5 goals in a season battling it out and then sitting out for 5 to 17 minutes means nothing, IMO.

The fights that mean something are when actual hockey players duke it out. These scraps can change the momentum of the game and the mindset of the teams involved. These are also entertaining. Watching Iginla and Lecavalier go at it in the finals was inspirational; same with Foote against Shanny in the 90s. Watching these top notch players and team leaders drop the gloves can certainly uplift teammates.

I have no time for watching Zack Stortini hug Raitis Ivanans for 90 seconds, but I feel there is some place for the odd fight in the NHL. I just want to see the pure enforcers and the staged fights go the way of the Dodo.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

What're you trying to say?

He's dissin' you man!! Kick his ass!!! :ss:

 

[SLY]

lol

 

[TheRobotDevil]

What're you trying to say?

I think he is saying he wants to drop the gloves

 

[awaz]

Staged fights have to go. They are rarely entertaining as today's enforcers generally just tie each other up; these fights also add nothing to the game. Two guys who are lucky to score 5 goals in a season battling it out and then sitting out for 5 to 17 minutes means nothing, IMO.

The fights that mean something are when actual hockey players duke it out. These scraps can change the momentum of the game and the mindset of the teams involved. These are also entertaining. Watching Iginla and Lecavalier go at it in the finals was inspirational; same with Foote against Shanny in the 90s. Watching these top notch players and team leaders drop the gloves can certainly uplift teammates.

I have no time for watching Zack Stortini hug Raitis Ivanans for 90 seconds, but I feel there is some place for the odd fight in the NHL. I just want to see the pure enforcers and the staged fights go the way of the Dodo.

this is good, this is what needs to happen.

 

[elocomotive]

I will fight anyone that disagrees with me!!!!