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Somebody like Prust comes out and says "I'm not going to run a guy because I know I'll have to answer the bell at some point". Does that comment hold a lot of weight coming from a guy who is technically lobbying for the existence his own job? I give a lot more weight to a guy like Barnaby who says fighting didn't stop him. Fighting is supposed to be the answer to the Barnaby, Burrows, and Cooke type players. A lot of chicken-**** players that fighting is supposed to solve don't fight anyways.
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The thing is Barnaby etc. was or is protected by the Instigator rule. When that was brought in it spelled the end of for a lot of retribution or self policing. I'm not saying it wasn't needed as the brawls were getting out of hand but life changes and so does hockey. The hockey goon is a dying breed and will probably be completely gone in almost all leagues in a couple of years. One reason is there is just too many skilled players for a team to devote a space to a 5 minute enforcer.
Fighting will probably be gone in a few years because the concussion problem will force the NHL to stop it. The refs and the cameras are going to need to get more proactive to protect the players. For me the entertainment value will go down but that's how it goes and nobody wants more players ending up like Steve Montador.