Fighting in the NHL, your take

[Konnan511 1,736]

Hey peeps. Answer these questions honestly, I don't care if you debate them, but I'm trying to get the sentiments from the LGW crowd on this. Please be honest!!!

[Williams29fan 6]

I love fighting in hockey, it makes the game that much more interesting, come on who didn't love the Avs vs Wings fights the past decade!

If it were removed, would i stop watching? Hell no its the best sport in the world w/ or w/o fighting.

Fighters or an enforcers brings energy to the team when needed. IE Downey knowing when to fight when not too...

*he may not always fight when needed but 85% of the time, it works out fairly well for the team.*

[Konnan511 1,736]

This is great, keep the votes coming!

[Datsyerberger 279]

Answers:

1. No, I watch a fight and hope a hockey game breaks out (ba dum ttshhhhh... seriously though, I voted Yes)

2. No, but I'd be quite irritated.

3. No, but on a team that doesn't have the skill that far down the roster, a fighter can be more useful than just another scrub. I certainly don't mind having a fighter, but I like them to have NHL skill, as well.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Answers:

1. No, I watch a fight and hope a hockey game breaks out (ba dum ttshhhhh... seriously though, I voted Yes)

2. No, but I'd be quite irritated.

3. No, but on a team that doesn't have the skill that far down the roster, a fighter can be more useful than just another scrub. I certainly don't mind having a fighter, but I like them to have NHL skill, as well.

Rodney Dangerfield eh, well played.

[TheBigRedMachine 2]

Call me an old-fashioned Canadian boy but damn I like a good fight. Would I stop watching hockey if fighting were removed? Hell no, but I most certainly would be ranting to the young'uns in a drunken stupor about how in the good ol' days a scrum could become a scrap and the opinions of politically correct soccer moms had no place in Canada's game! At that point I'd probably pass out and piss myself. :beerbuddy:

[Frozen-Man 144]

1. Yes, I love when there is a fight during a game. It adds excitement, energy, and enjoyment to the overall experience. Plus its nice to see a sport where guys walk the walk rather than just talk the talk like the NBA where the players mouth off, bow up, might take a pansy swing, and then backpedal fast. Plus, I love getting on the internet each day and seeing the fights I missed from the nights before.

2. No, but I would be seriously pissed. It is an integral and important part of the game and shouldn't be removed just to appease a bunch of whiny politically correct pansies who probably wouldn't watch the game anyway.

3. Yes, I found this one really hard to answer because I don't think yes or no really fit. Some teams and some fighters greatly benefit a team. Some I think hurt a team because of their overall ability. Some help a team but it is on a rare (although important) occasion (i.e. momentum change). Finally, some fighters help the team draw a crowd, which financially helps a team and therefore helps overall.

[Nicholonio 9]

Do you watch a game and hope that a fight breaks out?

• No, and that's stupid. As much as I like the fights and s***, I don't just watch a game hoping it happens.

Would you stop watching hockey if fighting was removed?

• No, and that's another stupid question. I watch Hockey because I love the sport, not because fighting is involved. I'd of course be dissapointed if it was gone, but I wouldn't stop watching the sport I love.

Does a fighter make your team better?

• I answered no, but in a way it does as well. It could either make or break your team, really. If you fight it could give your team a confident boost.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Do you watch a game and hope that a fight breaks out?

• No, and that's stupid. As much as I like the fights and s***, I don't just watch a game hoping it happens.

Would you stop watching hockey if fighting was removed?

• No, and that's another stupid question. I watch Hockey because I love the sport, not because fighting is involved. I'd of course be dissapointed if it was gone, but I wouldn't stop watching the sport I love.

Does a fighter make your team better?

• I answered no, but in a way it does as well. It could either make or break your team, really. If you fight it could give your team a confident boost.

You need to relax, no need for personal attacks. If you're going to insult a couple of my questions, at least back up why they are "stupid", when one of them the majority of the people on LGW disagrees with you on.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

I love fights, and i anticipate a fight everygame. But its not a necessity. Well.... in the NHL its not a necessity for me but in the IHL it kind of is.

If fighting was taken out of the game, I would put up a hissy fit for sure.. But i would still watch.. HOPING for the game to become more physical.. Players wouldn't be policed so i'd almost expect a more college style game. Players with more backbone since they dont have to back up what they do or say.

Do fighters make your team better? Depends. You look at Philly, they are relatively tough, have Carcillo,Asham and Cote playing most games. And they are a top team, so it doesn't seem to be a hinderance. You watch Carcillo and Asham on the ice and there isn't anything that makes me say wow, Draper and Maltby are so much better. Where Drapes/Malts get the edge is they are more defensivly sound.. Offensively i'd go with Asham and Carcillo.

A team like Philly benifits from fighters in the intimidation sense where they make other teams second guess whether or not to play there stars hard or not, where as if Detroit had downey or mac up, Detroit would benefit from our stars taking less punishment. Because the team tough guys would put more attention torwards the scrapper then they would the star.

--

Overall, I think fighting is still a huge part of the game.. But what i wouldn't mind is the Super Heavyweight type players being taken out of the game.. They tend to have the least skill and there fights are the pre-determined. Smack on the but wanna drop the gloves type.. and thats boring.

I think we'll see alot more BJ Crombeen, Adam Burish type fighters who can play a solid 2-way game and drop the mitts.. Which i would fully enjoy. They dont drop the gloves for the sake of fighting, they drop out of emotion and dedication for there team.. and thats what i think makes a real hockey player. Having your teams back at all times.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

I'd also like to add.. I went to a D-III hockey game earlier this year between Davenport/Hope and even without fighting, It was by far one of the most exciting hockey games i've seen in along time. Alot of emotion, very physical.. What you LOVE to see in a hockey game.. is emotion

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'd also like to add.. I went to a D-III hockey game earlier this year between Davenport/Hope and even without fighting, It was by far one of the most exciting hockey games i've seen in along time. Alot of emotion, very physical.. What you LOVE to see in a hockey game.. is emotion

I just got done coaching at Delta College, those games are fun to be a part of.

[Hank 0]

Get your flames ready.

I like fighting in the NHL, but not the staged crap. Most goon tilts are boring and too defensive. Plus there's very rarely any hate or emotion involved with them.

But when two guys, who normally don't fight a lot, go at it, it's awesome. I still remember the Richards-Mara fight from 2 seasons ago. It was a beauty.

Anyway, I'm of the opinion that there should be ZERO fighting in minor hockey. Kids should not be afraid to get their teeth kicked in during a midget or bantam hockey game.

I've been to some of those games and it was embarrassing to see grown men salivating at the thought of two 14-year-old's duking it out.

Anyway, keep the emotion and the ability to keep players honest at the NHL level.

Basically, if players earn a paycheck, they should have the rights to scrap and entertain the crowd. I think if you removed fighting from all levels of hockey the IHL, CHL (Central league) and ECHL would be gone the next day.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I don't like the first question. I love watching fights when they happen, however I don't watch a game unsatisfied if one doesn't happen.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

I voted Y, N, Y. Too lazy to explain myself.

[Guest tini]

I love fighting in hockey, it makes the game that much more interesting, come on who didn't love the Avs vs Wings fights the past decade!If it were removed, would i stop watching? Hell no its the best sport in the world w/ or w/o fighting.Fighters or an enforcers brings energy to the team when needed. IE Downey knowing when to fight when not too...*he may not always fight when needed but 85% of the time, it works out fairly well for the team.*

i agree. i love when you have two teams with a rivalry and they just brawl. '97 and '98 when we fought a gainst the avalanch was awesome. You had everyone in in it. It was great when the goalies went at it.