Next Step – Let Refs Police The Game

Some fight fans believe that the NHL is slowly and methodically changing their rules to remove fisticuffs from hockey.  That may be giving the league too much credit but let’s assume the premise is correct – what should their next step be?  Something stealthy of course and a subtle change that they could claim wasn’t a change at all.

The End Of The Enforcer?

This past week several articles appeared that asked that question and then reported on the number of enforcers who are out of work or were put on waivers and sent to the minors.  There was wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the fight fans and former enforcers were quoted saying the direction was a mistake.  However, although in my opinion these player moves were positive for hockey, I suspect the NHL fight culture didn’t change overnight.

Rat PIM Update – Fighters Versus Rats

The popular opinion of those who support fighting is that it controls the Rats in the game.  There is the contrary position that some of the enforcers are also the biggest Rats.  But if we compiled a list of the top fighters and the top Rats – what would the statistics tell us.

Beating a Dead Horse – Fighting Increases Cheap Shots

Of all the myths associated with why fighting is “part of the game” the perception that it somehow controls the rats in the game is the most pervasive.  Common sense, or simply being a hockey fan for an extended period of time, would tell you that the opposite is true.  And then of course you could simply rely on the facts.

Olympic Hockey Proves Fighting is Stupid

A lot of anti-fighting hockey fans will use the Olympics as an argument of why fighting is not needed in the sport. The rebuttal from pro-fight fans is that Olympic hockey is too unique and cannot be used as a comparison to the same sport played by the NHL.   I think the pro-fight fan may be correct.

NHL Has Very Little Control Over Their Sport

“Celebrate The Game!” is displayed prominently across the webpage for ScotiaBank Hockey Day In Canada.  This is a major promotion for the CBC and the NHL and it was appropriate that the final game of the night showed the type of play that the league has ignored, tolerated and supported.  Vancouver and Calgary waited an entire 2 seconds after the opening face-off to give us “Slapshot 2014”.

It’s Not Part of the Game – Second Anniversary

On January 1, 2012, at 12:56 PM, I published my first article on this blog.  If you merely look at the status quo in the NHL you may not think much has changed.  But I believe that over the past 24 months there has been tremendous progress in removing fighting from hockey.

Rat PIM Update – A Month of Fighting

I’ve been busy over the past few weeks, watching a lot of hockey fights.  Not exactly my favourite thing but necessary in order to collect some additional data on fighting, enforcers and the impact on Rat PIM.  As always when you look beyond the general perception of an activity you get a better sense of what is really happening.

Thornton Attacks Orpik – What Went Wrong & Who’s At Fault

By now any hockey fan has read 2 or 18 articles that covered Shawn Thornton’s assault on Brooks Orpik.  Everyone has an opinion on what occurred, who should have done what and when they should have done it.  Speculation on discipline and fan comments filled blogs, Twitter, website comments and actual pages that still use ink.  But who was really at fault here.

Rambling Thoughts on the NHL Concussion Lawsuit

I was surprised by my reaction to Monday’s announcement of retired players filing a lawsuit against the NHL.  If you have read any of my posts over the last 2 years it’s obvious that I’m no fan of fighting and I always expected a lawsuit would be brought against the league at some point.  Still I was disappointed to finally see it happen.