NHL fighters find innovative way around new rule

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It's a stupid stupid stupid rule. I'm glad they found a way to show just how stupid it is. Stupid NHL.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

You need to see more things.

Well he's trying. I mean he watched the video, give the guy a break already.

[Flashpoint]

So is banning the dropping of your gloves (literally) next? To prevent the risk of hand injury?

If guys are willing to fight, and willing to drop their own helmets, I don't see the problem. They are already accepting the risk of fighting, so let's get on with it.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

This is the dumbest rule yet. Let the fighters decide for themselves whether they would prefer to fight with no helmet. If they like that better and are willing to risk smacking their head on the ice, so be it.

It's one of those issues where the question is whether players need to be protected from themselves. The concern over head injuries and player safety is at the forefront these days and current research suggests that it's safer for players to fight with helmets on.

From the NHL perspective, having this rule in place helps limit their potential liability because you just know that if a tragic accident does occur whereby a fighter falls headfirst onto the ice and suffers a traumatic head injury his family will sue the NHL and one of the main points of contention will be that the NHL encourages players to fight and fight in such a reckless and dangerous manner.

[browna]

Originally Posted by FAN

It's one of those issues where the question is whether players need to be protected from themselves. The concern over head injuries and player safety is at the forefront these days and current research suggests that it's safer for players to fight with helmets on.

From the NHL perspective, having this rule in place helps limit their potential liability because you just know that if a tragic accident does occur whereby a fighter falls headfirst onto the ice and suffers a traumatic head injury his family will sue the NHL and one of the main points of contention will be that the NHL encourages players to fight and fight in such a reckless and dangerous manner.

Then, fights should stop if helmets come off during the fight....however, they don't under this rule.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by browna

Then, fights should stop if helmets come off during the fight....however, they don't under this rule.

Maybe they will amend the rules and have refs stop the fight if the helmets pop off?

I'm not arguing for or against the rule itself. But how do you keep fighting in hockey but make hockey fights safer? That's the question facing the NHL and the NHLPA. Is it possible to make fighters wear protective mitts inside their gloves? Have fighters wear soft protective helmets underneath their hard-shelled helmets? Visors will be on every helmet soon enough what can fighters do if they are fine with the helmets but not the visors?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FAN

Maybe they will amend the rules and have refs stop the fight if the helmets pop off?

Pretty sure they tried that in the CHL for a bit. One of David "Look at me, I'm a hero and I'm saving hockey" Branch's pearls of wisdom, I believe. They backed off on it when officials decided they weren't terribly interested in getting their own brains beat in.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Pretty sure they tried that in the CHL for a bit. One of David "Look at me, I'm a hero and I'm saving hockey" Branch's pearls of wisdom, I believe. They backed off on it when officials decided they weren't terribly interested in getting their own brains beat in.

Yeah, I can see that being terribly dangerous for officially to have to enter a fight when the two guys aren't even close to finished just because a helmet popped off. You're going to see a few refs eat one for sure.

[Madman]

The helmets aren't the problem, it's the ice's fault.

They should probably ban the ice and replace it with playground grade rubber pellets.