[mikeecho]

If I let my employees beat the day lights out of each other and allowed them to engage in activities that are inherently unsafe without the proper controls and safety measures in place, I'd more than likely see a right to refuse dangerous work claim along with a visit from the labour board and some pretty significant penalties.

Now, if I paid them $600,000-$1,000,000 a year specifically to do these things, they'd probably turn a blind eye to keep the gravy train rolling. That's what we have here. The players are sacrificing their future health and well being for a pay check. That's why you're not seeing them bring this issue to light yet.

If the league isn't going to do anything to be accountable for the players safety like any normal business needs to be, then I find myself in a place where I'm starting to believe that I should care less what happens to these players. Parros is on life support... Who cares! McGrattan can't put together a coherent thought in his mid 40's? Big whoop! They knew that was the risk going in to that role

The reality (in my mind) is that somewhere, the lawyers and insurance people are looking at this (particularly in light of the NFL law suit and settlement) and will pressure the league and the NHLPA to eliminate fighting or increase the sanctions associated with it.

I also wouldn't take the comments today from some GMs lightly. I don't doubt some are going on record like this to protect themselves in the future. If this ever becomes a legal issue, these guys are going to say that they have tried to take steps to eliminate fighting, but within the parameters of the agreement between the NHL and NHLPA, they were powerless to effect the needed change.