Once upon a time ago, before MMA and when boxing was in its prime hockey was truly a unique sport. Sure it was already unique in a way that you played in skates instead of shoes and on a playing surface that was ice instead of grass, concrete or wood. But something that really stood out with hockey among all the other sports was that face that fighting was a mainstay in the game. Now fighting also periodically happens in baseball, football and basketball, however unlike these other three major sports in North America, fighting in hockey didn’t automatically get you thrown out of the game (in most cases). Fast forward to today where fighting hasn’t totally been taken out of the game but has been very much hindered.
As far as to why’s it’s hindered the reasoning is going to vary depending on who you ask. It seems like if you ask the majority of the fans it is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s fault while someone like Don Cherry might say it’s the European influence that’s becoming more prevalent in the game. Some fans even favor the new NHL and its lack of fighting believing that the old NHL only promoted unnecessary violence.
However as the Stanley Cup Playoffs progress it’s becoming clear that hockey not only needs fighting but it’s a concept that should be embraced.
Now I’m not saying that the league needs to be an offshoot of the UFC and Gary Bettman should start hanging out with Dana White more but its time for the NHL to allow bouts between players to persist.
As far as fighting goes, not only does it have the capability to quell any further hostility and possibly take the head hunting out of the game, but it could be great for ratings and help in individual player development, two areas which the NHL has struggled in under Bettman’s watch.
So far the Pittsburgh/Philadelphia playoff series has been spectacular which can be attributed to the high scoring games between the two teams as well as the high levels of emotion. Allowing the emotion that comes from dropping the gloves or a nice clean opens up the NHL to market not only players like Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin gut the enforcers and grinders in the league as well. In turn this could eventually lead to a larger fan base and more lucrative television opportunities.
Now is it really a coincidence that the league was much more popular in the 70’s, 80’s and the early 90’s when guys like Bobby Clarke, Bob Probert, Joey Kocur and Tie Domi were household names? I don’t think so.