Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 The VS folks quizzed Paul Kelly about fighting. A few things he had to say: A vast majority of players believe that fighting has (in his words) an important and historic role in the game of hockey. He believes fights should be stopped/broken up immediately if one player has a visor/face shield. He leans towads Laraque's suggestion helmets should stay on, and fights should stop when a helmet comes off. Interestingly enough (and to his surprise) the demographic which likes fighting the most overwhelmingly is females aged 18-35. This is good news to hear, to me. While I'm not a huge pro-enforcer guy like, say, GMR, I enjoy a good fight (read, a fist fight, not a wrestling match), and heavily agree that it has an important and historic role in hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted February 10, 2009 I'm in the same age demographic, but not gender, and believe fighting should stay anyways, with improvements to the rules such as extra penalties for players fighting with visors, plus breaking the fight up as soon as it's safe to do so if even one of them is wearing it. I don't get why the fight should stop though when the helmet comes off, just because some people fell on the ice after taking one to the face. They should know this is a risk you take when fighting, no different than taking a hard run into the boards, checking players, with the possibility of being hit in the face with the stick or kicked with the skate, plus going down to block shots, players simply get injured playing sports. s*** happens. If the risk was too great they would be playing another sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schmack 1 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Its a physical sport, the only way to avoid harmful stuff like this is to just stop it all together. I watch NHL network all the time and they have that story of the Canadien player that got destroyed from behind and had career ending injuries. Did hockey banish itself? No. What about football? That Everett guy got nearly paralyzed while blocking/tackling on a kickoff, should they get rid of kickoffs? No. Should tackling be banned because a guy gets a helmet to helmet hit and causes Anquan Boldin to be out for weeks? No. People say we need to recycle to save the earth. Really? The earth has been through flash floods, ice ages, been covered in molten rock and we are concerned about plastic. Things are going to happen in the world and in sports and its sad that only at the sad times or when bad things happen that people get these discussion together. Hockey has been around for at LEAST 100 years and guess what, fighting was a big part of it, is a big part of it, and making restrictions on it on top of instigators penalties will just make it all much worse and more dumb. It's sad a sport, like he NFL, can skate by on incidents such as they have dealt with, which is far more and worse than the NHL, and not really have it be fore front because it's more 'widely accepted' in the US and is billion dollar investment. Edited February 10, 2009 by Schmack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 If the Union and the League want to start somewhere to immediately minimize serious injuries, they should take a real, hard look at no-touch icing being introduced as the rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blueliner 69 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Its a physical sport, the only way to avoid harmful stuff like this is to just stop it all together. I watch NHL network all the time and they have that story of the Canadien player that got destroyed from behind and had career ending injuries. Did hockey banish itself? No. What about football? That Everett guy got nearly paralyzed while blocking/tackling on a kickoff, should they get rid of kickoffs? No. Should tackling be banned because a guy gets a helmet to helmet hit and causes Anquan Boldin to be out for weeks? No. People say we need to recycle to save the earth. Really? The earth has been through flash floods, ice ages, been covered in molten rock and we are concerned about plastic. Things are going to happen in the world and in sports and its sad that only at the sad times or when bad things happen that people get these discussion together. Hockey has been around for at LEAST 100 years and guess what, fighting was a big part of it, is a big part of it, and making restrictions on it on top of instigators penalties will just make it all much worse and more dumb. It's sad a sport, like he NFL, can skate by on incidents such as they have dealt with, which is far more and worse than the NHL, and not really have it be fore front because it's more 'widely accepted' in the US and is billion dollar investment. well put Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveyzerman 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 The VS folks quizzed Paul Kelly about fighting. A few things he had to say: A vast majority of players believe that fighting has (in his words) an important and historic role in the game of hockey. He believes fights should be stopped/broken up immediately if one player has a visor/face shield. He leans towads Laraque's suggestion helmets should stay on, and fights should stop when a helmet comes off. Interestingly enough (and to his surprise) the demographic which likes fighting the most overwhelmingly is females aged 18-35. This is good news to hear, to me. While I'm not a huge pro-enforcer guy like, say, GMR, I enjoy a good fight (read, a fist fight, not a wrestling match), and heavily agree that it has an important and historic role in hockey. Now, I believe this whole fighting issue is being completely blown out of proportion. Because of one unfortunate incident, there's a chance that fighting in hockey may be prohibited. Do you think that the kid that died would have wanted this? I don't think so. But if it must be discussed, I can see this as something the players could actually regulate themselves; part of the unwritten code. I can picture players letting up as soon as they see someones helmet off. So, this might be the way to go if any. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Interestingly enough (and to his surprise) the demographic which likes fighting the most overwhelmingly is females aged 18-35. That's me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 That's me! And I look at you avatar, aaaand.... Fight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HkyTwn 5 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 That's me! Me too! I agree with it as well. I go to a lot of college hockey games and a lot of the girls I go with absolutely love the fights. A lot of them think a game isn't as interesting without a fight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) What prick was it from the Preds that hurt Jiri's ACL, and then he turned around walloped him the next time they were on the same sheet of ice together? EDIT: It was Scott Hartnell. Edited February 10, 2009 by Heroes of Hockeytown Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ManLuv4Clears 7 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 He also touched on something along the lines of players body slamming each other and that leading to serious injuries and if there is anything they can do about preventing that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 All you have to do is SUSPEND, players who drag other players to the ice.. The reason why we've had 2 bad incedents is because the players were pulled down to the ice, momentum smacking there head on the ice.. For every incident where that happens, bad or not, you give a 10 game+ suspension.. make a statement. and you know what will happen?problem solved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spyder 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 If they do anything to fighting, I will stop watching hockey forever, I am already boycotting the NHL for the post-lockout league pussification bulls***. I only watch the wings because well they're the wings, and am usually disgusted enough by the weak ass penalties they call to turn the game off. My guide to getting the NHL back on track 1. Remove the f'ing trapezoid s*** 2. Bring back the 2-line pass 3. Get rid of the stupid protective mesh 4. Get rid of the s***ty composite sticks that break every 5 minutes 5. Stop sucking Sidney Crosby's dick 6. Get rid of worthless expansion teams in areas where people dont even like hockey. 7. Lower ticket prices so real fans can afford tickets, not just the corporate slugs. 8. Broadcast games on cable channels people actually have 9. Stop changing the rules, they were fine the way there were back in like 1995 10. Most importantly, stop trying to push hockey into areas that never get snow. 11. STOP CALLING ******* WEAK ASS PENALTIES FOR TOUCHING A PERSON. 12. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BAN FIGHTING. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveyzerman 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 If they do anything to fighting, I will stop watching hockey forever, I am already boycotting the NHL for the post-lockout league pussification bulls***. I only watch the wings because well they're the wings, and am usually disgusted enough by the weak ass penalties they call to turn the game off. My guide to getting the NHL back on track 1. Remove the f'ing trapezoid s*** Bring back the 2-line pass 3. Get rid of the stupid protective mesh (I just don't really see how this plays a big role. If anything, make the puck playable off the mesh. I don't know.) 4. Get rid of the s***ty composite sticks that break every 5 minutes 5. Stop sucking Sidney Crosby's dick 6. Get rid of worthless expansion teams in areas where people dont even like hockey. 7. Lower ticket prices so real fans can afford tickets, not just the corporate slugs. 8. Broadcast games on cable channels people actually have 9. Stop changing the rules, they were fine the way there were back in like 1995 10. Most importantly, stop trying to push hockey into areas that never get snow. 11. STOP CALLING ******* WEAK ASS PENALTIES FOR TOUCHING A PERSON. 12. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BAN FIGHTING. FIXED. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Me too! I agree with it as well. I go to a lot of college hockey games and a lot of the girls I go with absolutely love the fights. A lot of them think a game isn't as interesting without a fight Well it's effing sexy. Boys like watching girls wrestle right? Two hockey players fighting is kinda the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Leave it alone. Only 3 widely noted incidents, bad incidents in a long time. Of course, 2 happen this year and everyone panics. It's funny Kelly gives his opinion on the subject, in a game where Eric Reitz and David Clarkson rip the buckets off and have a great go. Leave.It.Be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HomeNugget 2 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 I'm of the opinion that players should be fighting without helmets; especially now since so many players wear visors. It's like Schmack mentioned, no one suggests that the NFL ban tackling when players get paralyzed. And what about Mixed Martial Arts? Those guys beat the hell out of each other, and no one seems to care. The only problem I have with fighting in NHL is the way it goes down. Two guys who have no problem with each other agreeing to fight to justify their place on the team. I wouldn't mind seeing the NHL adopt a rule that ejects a player for fighting if he averages less than 10 minutes of ice time per game. Another rule could give players an extra penalty for fighting with a visor. Then just get rid of the instigator and fighting, in my opinion, will be fixed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 All you have to do is SUSPEND, players who drag other players to the ice.. The reason why we've had 2 bad incedents is because the players were pulled down to the ice, momentum smacking there head on the ice.. For every incident where that happens, bad or not, you give a 10 game+ suspension.. make a statement. and you know what will happen?problem solved. Agreed. Fists to the face isn't the problem, it's the dragging to the ice that is the problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Leave it alone. Only 3 widely noted incidents, bad incidents in a long time. Of course, 2 happen this year and everyone panics. Leave.It.Be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Its a physical sport, the only way to avoid harmful stuff like this is to just stop it all together. I watch NHL network all the time and they have that story of the Canadien player that got destroyed from behind and had career ending injuries. Did hockey banish itself? No. What about football? That Everett guy got nearly paralyzed while blocking/tackling on a kickoff, should they get rid of kickoffs? No. Should tackling be banned because a guy gets a helmet to helmet hit and causes Anquan Boldin to be out for weeks? No. People say we need to recycle to save the earth. Really? The earth has been through flash floods, ice ages, been covered in molten rock and we are concerned about plastic. Things are going to happen in the world and in sports and its sad that only at the sad times or when bad things happen that people get these discussion together. Hockey has been around for at LEAST 100 years and guess what, fighting was a big part of it, is a big part of it, and making restrictions on it on top of instigators penalties will just make it all much worse and more dumb. It's sad a sport, like he NFL, can skate by on incidents such as they have dealt with, which is far more and worse than the NHL, and not really have it be fore front because it's more 'widely accepted' in the US and is billion dollar investment. If I can play devils advocate though, severe football injuries are sustained through legal means on the field. It's completely in the rules to tackle and hit players in certain situations. To give a fair comparison, it would be like saying that in football sometimes you have to pile-drive players after thew whistle if they hit your QB or WR too hard. And then after someone breaks their neck, you say "Well, pile-driving has been in the NFL since 1920, so it's hard to get rid of it. And players like it because it protects your best players and sends messages. Besides, the fans love it". Look at what happened in the NBA with 'The Punch' incident. Kermit Washington nearly, and literally speaking, killed Rudy Tomjanovich. At that time, fighting in the NBA was not uncommon. In fact, it took place quite a bit. After that incident the league realized how dangerous it was and how it was keeping down the sport. So they started handing out much stiffer fines and suspensions for fighting. Now look at it. It's much cleaner. And don't tell me it's easier to take an elbow from a 295 lb power forward than a slash and not want to punch someone in the face. The fact is, fighting only serves to entertain. It doesn't prevent a lot of the shenanigans that take place on the ice. Ulf Samuelsson, Mikael Samuelson, Claude Lemieux, Esa Tikannen, Sean Avery, Steve Ott, etc, etc, etc. all play on the edge and play dirty. And yet despite taking some beatings or engaging in fights they didn't or haven't changed their game. Not one bit. I'm not against fighting in the NHL. I enjoy a good tilt between guys who are genuinly angry with each other. But I'm tired of people thinking that it really does act as a deterrent. It doesn't. And what I'm really, really sick of, is fights that break out from a clean hit. Dany Markov had to fight twice in 2007 for a clean shoulder-to-chest hit on Stoll. Why? If anything, someone could make the argument that fighting is making the game less physical, because nobody wants to be jumped after laying a completely and legal hit. So in essence, many of us are fighting to keep an illegal aspect of the game alive, while driving out a physical play that is actually allowed in the rule books. That doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, fighting will probably always be in the NHL to some capacity, I just hope it stays for the right reasons. But I whole-heartedly agree that fighting has no place in amateur sports. Not even major junior. Those kids should worry about playing hockey and not about getting jumped by some meathead in front of his fans, friends or parents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HomeNugget 2 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Anyway, fighting will probably always be in the NHL to some capacity, I just hope it stays for the right reasons. But I whole-heartedly agree that fighting has no place in amateur sports. Not even major junior. Those kids should worry about playing hockey and not about getting jumped by some meathead in front of his fans, friends or parents. They actually spoke about this on NHL Home Ice a week or so back, and it brings up a good point. If fighting is banned in the major junior leagues then eventually you'll start to weed out the hockey players that can't play hockey in the NHL. Guys like Derek Boogaard and Eric Godard. I'd be in favor of this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) how about when Paul was talking about how woman love fighting and they cut to a shot of a blonde in a white sweater with HHHHHUUUUGGGEE fake boobies .. awesome Edited February 10, 2009 by PROBIE4PREZ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) how about when Paul was talking about how woman love fighting and they cut to a shot of a blonde in a white sweater with HHHHHUUUUGGGEE fake boobies .. awesome LOL! Link please??? Edited February 10, 2009 by Hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 how about when Paul was talking about how woman love fighting and they cut to a shot of a blonde in a white sweater with HHHHHUUUUGGGEE fake boobies .. awesome I think more than anyone else on the forum, your avatar fits your personality Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 FIXED. It wasn't broken. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
