What happened to fighting in the NHL?

Question

Is it just me or does it seem like there isnt as many fights in the NHL as there used to be.

Answer 1

don't worry with the new NHL rules allot of smaller players are making the NHL but in the next 5 to 10 years you will see more tough guys in the NHL again to protect this smaller super stars that will start to get pretty banged up in the next few years cause they have know one to protect them but it will come back but not like in the 70's and 80's but it will come back.


cottagsta...>>>well if you are a coach then you should know that fighting is not just two guys going toe to toe just for the fun of it its part of this game and there is reason for a good fight to get your players pump up when your behind and it also gets the fans pumped up and that gets the players going even a good hard hitting body check is great I've also played hockey my hole life and if some a-ss is on my goalie i will be the first to let him know and that wasn't even my job on the ice.


GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 2

i think there's a couple different reasons for fighting being down...the first being the instegator rule which severly cuts down on fights when players know they'll be kicked out for starting one...the next is that with a lot of smaller players in the league due to the new rules it's filtering out the enforcers that every team used to have and with no guys pre destined to fight on the roster theres a lot less chance to have a fight...i blame this all on bettman who is trying to say fighting isn't wanted...yet when there's a fight does it not get the crowd excited...and doesn't a good fight always end up in the game highlites too?

Answer 3

Lot's of great opinions here but yeah, Blame Bettman & the influx of European/Russian players that won't fight...also over expansion...a third of the players in the NHL, should be salesman or in the Minor leagues...it's no longer the North American game...it's become International & that's killed the game, whether it's a fight you want or good up & down action packed game!

Answer 4

I think the fighting is down because the clutching and grabbing hooking and holding days of "garage league" NHL are over. Players are not getting nearly as pissed off and there isn't nearly as much dirty play that eventually leads to frustration and fights. Hockey is a sport of skill and speed and if a fight happens great but I and people who are fans of the SPORT of hockey do not need fights to be entertained (if you want that go watch boxing).

Answer 5

The NHL has increased concequences and more effective rules for fighting in the NHL.

Answer 6

There is just not as much of a place for fighters in Buttman's "new NHL." I hate it! It takes an entire element out of the game because a bunch of suits decided the sport needed some "cleaning up."

Answer 7

Bettman is to blame here like was stated before about the instigator rule. There is also another rule about instigating a fight in the 3rd period results in a suspension (not sure the exact length, something like 1-3 games) just for instigating it in the 3rd. Because of that, nobody wants to fight in the 3rd period just to avoid the risk of being suspended.

Thanks bettman. again.

Answer 8

The NHL changes have been focusing on the more speedy and finesse players and all the old enforcers have been pushed aside. You can thank Todd Bertuzzi and the NHL strike for that.

Answer 9

Gary Bettman

Answer 10

Gary Bettman happened.

I'm a season ticket holder and have seen maybe 3-5 fights this entire season (at home). And its not that they haven't tried.