Iginla: Hockey is better and safer with fighting in it

[transplant99]

Great piece by Jarome as a guest columnist in Sports Illustrated this week.

Does fighting still have a place in today's NHL? My answer is a qualified yes. I temper my response because I don't know of any player who truly loves fighting. Ideally it would not be a part of the game. But the nature of our sport is such that fighting actually curtails many dirty plays that could result in injuries.

One misconception about fighting is that it is for entertainment, a spectacle for the fans. But most hockey players do not see themselves as boxers or fighters. We would all rather be scoring a goal -- or preventing one! While I agree that fighting has entertainment value and is enjoyed by many fans, there is a lot more to it than that. There is a purpose behind almost every fight. I have fought -- and my teammates have, too -- to stick up for myself or to stand up for a teammate who had been the victim of dirty play. And I do acknowledge that fighting can provide an emotional lift for a team. A player who drops his gloves and puts himself in harm's way on behalf of his teammates is selfless and courageous. And those are qualities that all hockey players respect.

Fighting helps hold players accountable for their actions on the ice, even more so than penalties. If it was taken out of the game, I believe there would be more illegal stickwork, most of it done out of sight of the referees; more slashes to the ankles or wrists, and in between pads; and more cross checks to the tailbone. Incidents of players taking such liberties are rare in today's game because fighting gives us the ability to hold each other accountable. If you play dirty, you're going to have to answer for it.

In my opinion, fighting prevents more injuries than it causes. And with the high caliber of officials in the NHL, it very rarely results in significant injuries; the referees step in quickly to help minimize that risk.

Discuss.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl...hockey-fights/

[Ashasx]

The comments section... oh my god. They make me want to tear my hair out.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The comments section... oh my god. They make me want to tear my hair out.

Never read internet comments (this forum 90% exempt of course).

Also, they are probably mostly American fans. I hate to say it, but most Americans don't really understand the game well enough to comment on the intricate nature of hockey fights. I have talked to a lot down here and they have no clue because they haven't played the game let alone watched enough to analyze it well.

[RedMileDJ]

I miss Jarome. We don't have anyone that we'll spoken on the Flames now. Maybe Cammy.

[strombad]

There will always be pundits and people on their computers claiming that hockey has no place in the game, and I'm often curious how many players of different skill levels and positions coming out in support of fighting it's going to take before the pundits admit they are wrong.

Fighting is dangerous, and is it worth the possibly damaging health effects? Probably not to most. But it's also a valuable part of the game that serves it's purpose.

Nobody can deny the negative implications if hits to the head, but it's time to stop denying the value of fighting in hockey. Whether or not the value outweighs the risk is an opinion anyone is allowed to have, but saying it has no value? Garbage.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

My 2 cents on Iginla's comments: I think he pretty much understands what he's talking about and represents the case for it fairly well, but he's also able to stand up for himself. There are players who simply can't and in that case it's good to have an enforcer like McGrattan there to protect a player like Hudler or Baertschi.

And for those who are worried about concussions from fighting? Pat Lafontaine's and Paul Kariya's shortened careers say hello.

[Jake]

This argument seems to work on paper, but when the majority of fights I see seem to be about 1) retaliating after a clean hit or 2) trying to swing a game's momentum, I don't think it applies much to reality.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by strombad

There will always be pundits and people on their computers claiming that hockey has no place in the game, and I'm often curious how many players of different skill levels and positions coming out in support of fighting it's going to take before the pundits admit they are wrong.

The same players who didn't want helmets in the game as being mandatory?
Sorry I don't really care at all what the players say about this issue. No one can argue that fighting in the NHL prevents more injuries because fighting has always been in the NHL.

[Zevo]

No one can say it doesn't either.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Zevo

No one can say it doesn't either.

Huh?

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

My 2 cents on Iginla's comments: I think he pretty much understands what he's talking about and represents the case for it fairly well, but he's also able to stand up for himself. There are players who simply can't and in that case it's good to have an enforcer like McGrattan there to protect a player like Hudler or Baertschi.

And for those who are worried about concussions from fighting? Pat Lafontaine's and Paul Kariya's shortened careers say hello.

The answer to the problem isn't players like McGrattan and Jackman, Scott or Oliwa - the answer to the problem should come in the form of guys like Iginla, Lucic, Backes, Benn and so on.

Big physical players who are good at hockey and can stand up for their teammates and keep the game honest, not guys like Big Ern, Ivanans and McIntyre.

Goons have become this weird sideshow akin to NASCAR (sorry NASCAR fans, but all you're doing is turning left and tuning engines).

I think fighting has it's place, but I don't see the excitement in watching Jackman and McGrattan-like players in the league.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I'll take the word of all current/former NHLer's who believe fighting should be in the game.

MOD EDIT: Deleted over the top comments.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The same players who didn't want helmets in the game as being mandatory?
Sorry I don't really care at all what the players say about this issue. No one can argue that fighting in the NHL prevents more injuries because fighting has always been in the NHL.

Sorry, I don't really care at all what random internet posters say about this issue. They have about zero credibility when they so easily dismiss what credible players say who actually have experience in the game they play.

[TurnedTheCorner]

OK, an opinion from a current player that I respect. This holds more weight with me than with pundits or guys like Burke weighing in.

Fighting stays then. I would like to see fighting for clean body checks curtailed though. And the staged goon shows.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

OK, an opinion from a current player that I respect. This holds more weight with me than with pundits or guys like Burke weighing in.

Fighting stays then. I would like to see fighting for clean body checks curtailed though. And the staged goon shows.

That's one aspect of todays game I really don't like. If they could get rid of any part of fighting, it would be that one for me.

[BBQorMILDEW]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The same players who didn't want helmets in the game as being mandatory?
Sorry I don't really care at all what the players say about this issue. No one can argue that fighting in the NHL prevents more injuries because fighting has always been in the NHL.

I really hope you close your eyes next time there's a fight on the ice... Make sure not to cheer as well.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The same players who didn't want helmets in the game as being mandatory?
Sorry I don't really care at all what the players say about this issue. No one can argue that fighting in the NHL prevents more injuries because fighting has always been in the NHL.

Can't compare this to an equipment debate (mandatory helmets), even if safety is the main concern. There is a cultural and financial aspect to this debate as well

[kn]

I have a problem with staged fights right after the linesman drops the puck. The McGrattan-Bordeleau fight the other night was a waste of time. I also don't know how two goons having to fight makes another player accountable.

Iginla-Lecavalier, and any two players who can actually play, in the heat of battle -- yeah, I have no problem with that.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The comments section... oh my god. They make me want to tear my hair out.

That's how it feels when we read your over dramatic postings too.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jarome Iginla

"Fighting helps hold players accountable for their actions on the ice, even more so than penalties. If it was taken out of the game, I believe there would be more illegal stickwork, most of it done out of sight of the referees; more slashes to the ankles or wrists, and in between pads; and more cross checks to the tailbone. Incidents of players taking such liberties are rare in today's game because fighting gives us the ability to hold each other accountable. If you play dirty, you're going to have to answer for it."

I commend Iginla for this well written, intelligent and insightful piece. He truly is one of the best.

Having said that, my only question for Iginla here is why does he feel so strongly in support of this? Is it because he has seen the terrible effects that the absence of fighting has caused to the game? Or is he merely echoing what he has been told—what we have all been told—all our lives. It sounds reasonable, but then, if it were true, then we should expect to see a dramatic increase in stick work and stick-related injuries in the European leagues, should we not? Is there some sort of evidence beyond a players say so that actually supports their opinion?