| The NHL has allowed fighting pretty much since the | | | | such a violent sport. Another reason is that it slows the |
| league's inception. Now the NHL general managers are | | | | game down, the NHL is trying to speed up games by |
| going to take a look at whether they should keep it or | | | | cutting out time stopping or slowing rules. Another is |
| change the rules about fighting. | | | | the image, some people may not watch hockey |
| Lets look at the positive and negatives of fighting in the | | | | because it encourages fights and doesn't try to stop |
| NHL. One positive is that many fans enjoy watching | | | | them. They may consider it "barbaric" or "not civilized". |
| the fights and it gets everyone riled up. In many games | | | | Furthermore, there is the offhand chance it could be to |
| a goal is not scored every period so there is not a ton | | | | prevent injuries from occurring. If you punch someone |
| of action in between scores. Many hockey fans I talk | | | | in the face multiple times there is always a slight |
| to enjoy the fights and might not go to games or | | | | chance it could prove fatal. So far the NHL has been |
| watch them if they were banned completely. | | | | lucky and hasn't had any deaths. I remember when |
| Another positive is that it gives hockey a unique | | | | Bertuzzi clipped a guy from behind and nearly killed |
| characteristic that other sports programs don't have. | | | | paralyzed him. It wasn't a fight, it was a cheap shot, but |
| You can't see all out fights in basketball and football | | | | because of the "let loose" realm of hockey, players |
| without players getting suspended for long periods of | | | | think along the lines of "how can I really hurt my |
| time. That and they rarely occur. Hockey has always | | | | opponent". |
| embraced fighting, and claimed to be the toughest and | | | | I think however, that despite all the negatives, the sport |
| most rugged of the four main sports. If the NHL got rid | | | | of hockey would lose a lot of fans if they cut out |
| of fighting, the NFL would then take over as the | | | | fighting. It is a much a part of hockey as peanuts are |
| roughest sport of the four. Even if no fight occur in a | | | | at a baseball game. Just look at how much popularity |
| game, just the sheer fact that "it could happen" keeps | | | | UFC has been gaining, Americans want more violence, |
| some people entranced waiting for it to happen. | | | | not less. You cut out fights and hockey becomes as |
| Some negatives are that parents watching hockey | | | | entertaining to an American as a soccer game. |
| and see fights might not want their children playing | | | | |