Pix and 46 Versus The World

[IPostedWhat]

My dad tried that. It gave my mom a seizure...

 

[Automattic]

There would be no Boogaard if there was no fighting. Who would want this taken out of the game and the atomospere? Not a single one of these fans...



Awesome.

 

[SLY]

If you get rid of fighting, then you get rid of enforcers/goons. Why not just get rid of the enforcers/goons and not destroy the sport? How hard is it to weed them out over the course of 2-3 years? Not hard at all.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Would getting rid of fighting destroy the sport.....honestly......

 

[flyersfan4706]

If you get rid of fighting, then you get rid of enforcers/goons. Why not just get rid of the enforcers/goons and not destroy the sport? How hard is it to weed them out over the course of 2-3 years? Not hard at all.

How do you do that? If there is still fighting then the enforcers/goons will fight, which keeps their play types alive and gives them a purpose on teams.

 

[IPostedWhat]

One of the main beliefs of fighting in the NHL is that it can help change the momentum of the game.

How many times do you see a team losing and then a player start a fight to try and create a spark for their team to come back?

 

[SLY]

Would getting rid of fighting destroy the sport.....honestly......

Destroy the sport? No. Destroy the NHL? Yes.

How do you do that? If there is still fighting then the enforcers/goons will fight, which keeps their play types alive and gives them a purpose on teams.

If there was pressure from the top to not sign these types of players they would be weeded out. And those types of players would be forced to actually play hockey and not just box their way into the league.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Destroy the sport? No. Destroy the NHL? Yes.



If there was pressure from the top to not sign these types of players they would be weeded out. And those types of players would be forced to actually play hockey and not just box their way into the league.

Alright, but still even if their is pressure coming down on GMs, what stops them from just signing these guys anyway? Jeff, Id to keep fighting in and take the dangers out but I just dont see it being possible.

 

[SLY]

It is. Make a test that players must qualify to be in the league for their respective positions. Goons/enforcers straight up cant play, they will not pass. That is just off the top of my head and not going to work, but still there is a way for it to be done. Just needs serious thought.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

The Olympics are a lot of fun to watch, as is college hockey.

 

[SLY]

Yes they are. But NHL is "funner".

 

[flyersfan4706]

Well whatever happens I hope GMs act sooner than later.

 

[flyersfan4706]

The Olympics are a lot of fun to watch, as is college hockey.

Maybe not college, but the Olympics do have teams consisting of all superstars. Typically that is fun

Yes they are. But NHL is "funner".

lulz

 

[IPostedWhat]

You want to stop fighting in the NHL? You make it so that any players fighting get kicked out of the game, and receive a fine that increases with each fight. Start at 20k, and work it up to 50k.

After a player fights 3 times, they are done for the year.

 

[filosofy29]

Alright, but still even if their is pressure coming down on GMs, what stops them from just signing these guys anyway? Jeff, Id to keep fighting in and take the dangers out but I just dont see it being possible.

It is tricky and I don't know if their is a fool proof way of doing it. Some ideas I can think of off the top of my head (and I isn't no genious):

1.) Fines/Suspensions - The NHL could fine GM's, Coaches and Players (all 3, not just one or the other) hefty amounts for players who have a certain ratio of fights/minutes played or fights/games played. Or in obvious situations where people fight right after a faceoff, last couple of minutes in a lost game, etc. If a coach gets suspended from behind the bench for a few games and players get suspended for a few games along with the fines.....

(Trick is to find the appropriate ratio)

2.) TOI - a player can only average 1 fight per 20 minutes on the ice. If a player has to fight more than 1 time per 20 minutes to prove their worth.....why are they in the NHL?

I'm sure there are other smarter people who can come up with more suggestions. It wouldn't be easy, but I think it could be done.

***Think about it, when leagues install rules/equipment that should make things safer, in a lot of cases, they make the sport more dangerous. Players have more respect for each other when they know they can be the next one who takes the large fall.

Better helmets and shoulder pads - players now hit harder because they feel safer than before. More issues with injuries even though the equipment is light years better than it used to be.

 

[SLY]

It is tricky and I don't know if their is a fool proof way of doing it. Some ideas I can think of off the top of my head (and I isn't no genious):

1.) Fines/Suspensions - The NHL could fine GM's, Coaches and Players (all 3, not just one or the other) hefty amounts for players who have a certain ratio of fights/minutes played or fights/games played. Or in obvious situations where people fight right after a faceoff, last couple of minutes in a lost game, etc. If a coach gets suspended from behind the bench for a few games and players get suspended for a few games along with the fines.....

(Trick is to find the appropriate ratio)

2.) TOI - a player can only average 1 fight per 20 minutes on the ice. If a player has to fight more than 1 time per 20 minutes to prove their worth.....why are they in the NHL?

I'm sure there are other smarter people who can come up with more suggestions. It wouldn't be easy, but I think it could be done.

See... This is a good start.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Honestly, if the NHL is worried losing fighting loses the casual fan then theyre just being way to lazy to promote the NHL. This season's Winter Classic would have been a great time, but they just dont have the nuts to go up against the NFL and a downtown Mummer's Parade. Try something new, "Rival Week" where teams go against 3 rivals in one week, or playing a random game in February, hell even a pre-season game, in Oklahoma City or Little Rock. Fighting may attract new audiences, but I for one dont really get a kick out of it anymore, and Id like to know how many people really tune into a hockey game just to see a fight. Youtube exists for a reason

 

[IPostedWhat]

I'm sure there are other smarter people who can come up with more suggestions.

From the looks of it, it sure as fuck isn't me.

 

[SLY]

Hockey is hockey, first and foremost. But I enjoy the fighting that is alive in the NHL. Of course I do not watch it just for the "fights" (most of them arent even fights anymore, just tug of war). There are plenty of games with no fights, but like IPW stated, it can change the momentum of a game when used properly.

 

[flyersfan4706]

It is tricky and I don't know if their is a fool proof way of doing it. Some ideas I can think of off the top of my head (and I isn't no genious):

1.) Fines/Suspensions - The NHL could fine GM's, Coaches and Players (all 3, not just one or the other) hefty amounts for players who have a certain ratio of fights/minutes played or fights/games played. Or in obvious situations where people fight right after a faceoff, last couple of minutes in a lost game, etc. If a coach gets suspended from behind the bench for a few games and players get suspended for a few games along with the fines.....

(Trick is to find the appropriate ratio)

2.) TOI - a player can only average 1 fight per 20 minutes on the ice. If a player has to fight more than 1 time per 20 minutes to prove their worth.....why are they in the NHL?

I'm sure there are other smarter people who can come up with more suggestions. It wouldn't be easy, but I think it could be done.

I like these ideas, as you said the ratio may be difficult to find, but these are a very good start. Id like to see a case that has an arbitrator or whoever make a case for an enforcer saying thaty since they fight so much and have only so much point production that can so for only so much money, until theyre ratio drops and/or point productions goes up. It gives thema reason to play