Why do enforcer need to be in hockey ?

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

Sure, fans and viewership of the NHL is up. Participation on the other hand, is down, at least in Canada. It is a trend that Hockey Canada has made attempts to address. Lots of prohibitive factors: cost; other sports; injuries; violence.

You're right that hockey's image has always included goals, hits and fights. I don't entirely agree that those three encapsulate perfectly what hockey is all about. Either way, perhaps a change of that image would aid in increasing participation, and help keep the product that is gaining viewership and fans at its most skilled and entertaining.

Maybe you can sell that snake oil to an American marketing manager with an agenda, but you can't play the "societal aversion to fighting" card when participation, viewership, and general interest in sports that involve nothing except proving who is a better fighter are sky rocketing.

The only real barriers to participation rates in Canada (in particular) are access to ice time and affordability of fees and gear, and everyone knows it. It's the impetus behind just about every community-based endeavour the league is involved in (Kraft Hockeyville, or whatever it's called, for example, the NHLPA Goals&Dreams program for another). The TV/media deals suggest interest in hockey isn't just "fine", but still growing, btw.

 

[Sheppy]

I'd lose a lot of interest in the NHL if they removed fighting.

 

[On-the-Fly]

Maybe you can sell that snake oil to an American marketing manager with an agenda, but you can't play the "societal aversion to fighting" card when participation, viewership, and general interest in sports that involve nothing except proving who is a better fighter are sky rocketing.

It's pretty tough to get a good grasp of whether or not "societal aversion to fighting" will have an effect on the popularity of MMA, which is only just emerging from its infancy. The UFC didn't really start gaining in popularity until it adopted the unified rules, which helped change the perception of the sport. The brutal, bare knuckle, limited rules brawls of the early days were a sideshow. The combat sport it is now little resembles those early shows. Eventually MMA will have to bridge the gap between those people who will watch combat sports and those that may but have little interest. The aversion to fighting will play a pretty significant role then, don't you think?

The only real barriers to participation rates in Canada (in particular) are access to ice time and affordability of fees and gear, and everyone knows it. It's the impetus behind just about every community-based endeavour the league is involved in (Kraft Hockeyville, or whatever it's called, for example, the NHLPA Goals&Dreams program for another). The TV/media deals suggest interest in hockey isn't just "fine", but still growing, btw.

Thats a tough one to respond to. There is no doubt that expense and time are the biggest barriers to new participation, but that doesn't mean that a violent perception isn't also a barrier. To say that hockey doesn't have an image problem that may prohibit new participants is bs man, come on.

 

[sanityplease]

Agreed.....

The state of officiating isn't there, and rightfully so. Fighting is still an element of the game and plays its role. I'm not suggesting eliminating fighting its effects as a deterrent without implementing some mechanism to protect the players from the 'rats'....

You've got it the wrong way around. You're suggesting a punishment for fighting, I'm suggesting harsher punishments for cheap shots.

In that case, what if someone hitting on your wife or daughter excessively carried the 30 day sentence?

I refer to additional 'punishment for fighting', because that is the apparent solution for the majority of fans who want fighting out of the game.

Whether fighting stays or goes, I agree that officiating has to improve. I don't believe that officiating will ever adequately regulate the sport (to the point where fighting could be removed)

I prefer that the machismo culture in hockey to remain intact. I prefer players to play 'on the edge'. I don't think that 'designated enforcers' should remain in the game. I believe that the threat of violence enforces the 'code' adequately in the current game.

There is a risk to changing the culture on the ice in the NHL. You could change the game, but will the fans accept the change? A change likely wouldn't lower the amount of minor hockey or beer league players, but I would bet that it would lower the amount of active NHL fans. That 'mom' that we were referring to probably isn't going to suddenly start buying season tickets. Remove the violence & intensity (which won't remain if fighting is completely removed) in hockey, & the NHL loses it's unique element. Fans that don't like fighting already have Bandy, Field Hockey & Lacrosse to watch (it's not like those sports have taken over the world).

 

[Big Phil]

It is your job to prove it had an effect. You can't do it unless players said that is why they won the series.

At one point fighting did start great rivalries but now they rarely if ever do. Sens/Canadians didn't start one after the brawl in 2013.

Well how many new rivalries are out there? Philly/Pittsburgh has been going a long time. Colorado/Detroit started by fighting. To an extent Buffalo/Ottawa from 2007. Recently? I don't know any new rivalries that started just from fighting because they've been going on for so long. Anaheim and San Jose maybe? That brawl was hectic a couple of weeks ago. We could ask Joe Thornton if Ryan Getzlaf laying a beating on him in 2009 effected their playoff series. I could go on with these really.

With MMA the entire basis is fighting. You can't get rid of fighting in MMA. In hockey fighting can be eliminated because it is very rare in today's game. I don't see how you could be confused with that point

It is just that your basis is that you are worried about people getting hurt. Which apparently doesn't happen in MMA?

 

[MrWilson*]

The game is now full of, as Marv Levy would say, "over-officious jerks.' Its tough to watch...except for the fights and hits. The rest is becoming, um, vanilla. Guess I'm just not into the offensive show. It's not impressive once you make the game like womens hockey. Just isn't. Watching guys skate unmolested and untouched up and down the ice with no fear of getting their heads bashed in or legs taken out from under them or having the guy they slash across the calves turn around and pummel them for 2 minutes is NOT HOCKEY and never will be.

The end is near folks...enjoy what's left. The newest crop of danglers and snipers will be wearing tutus soon and making sure their make up matches their sweater before each game.

 

[Big Phil]

The game is now full of, as Marv Levy would say, "over-officious jerks.' Its tough to watch...except for the fights and hits. The rest is becoming, um, vanilla. Guess I'm just not into the offensive show. It's not impressive once you make the game like womens hockey. Just isn't. Watching guys skate unmolested and untouched up and down the ice with no fear of getting their heads bashed in or legs taken out from under them or having the guy they slash across the calves turn around and pummel them for 2 minutes is NOT HOCKEY and never will be.

The end is near folks...enjoy what's left. The newest crop of danglers and snipers will be wearing tutus soon and making sure their make up matches their sweater before each game.

Well, I mean I wouldn't go that far, the players are still as big and fast as ever before. There are still hits, they get hurt. It is a physical game. However, we do have to remember that the physical aspect is an important part of the game and an enjoyable part as well. Hopefully that always stays intact. Sometimes people think hockey should be a game for the shrinking violets and for the faint of heart, and it isn't.

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

Might as well play ringette without fighting. I don't agree with stage fights they are stupid and no passion but if someone takes a shot at your stars they better be willing to fight.

 

[JETZZZ]

I think that fighting will stick around but not in the same form that you see it now.right now, the quality of hockey fights is pretty poor compared to fighting in other sports. 2 guys drop the gloves and just grab eachother and swing away untill they trip or get tired 30 seconds later. then the refs step in and thats all. most times there isnt a clear winner cause they are both able to get up and skate to the box. If you are gunna interupt the play with a fight, go ahead but dont stop untill somebodys KOed or taps out. otherwise you may as well be inturupting the play by having a tickle fight at centre ice. maybe if nhl players took time to practace their fighting skills like they practace...well...hockey, they could learn to try some mma moves or at least learn to throw effective elbows or knees instead of throwing blind punches.

 

[ChexLeMeneux]

I think that fighting will stick around but not in the same form that you see it now.right now, the quality of hockey fights is pretty poor compared to fighting in other sports. 2 guys drop the gloves and just grab eachother and swing away untill they trip or get tired 30 seconds later. then the refs step in and thats all. most times there isnt a clear winner cause they are both able to get up and skate to the box. If you are gunna interupt the play with a fight, go ahead but dont stop untill somebodys KOed or taps out. otherwise you may as well be inturupting the play by having a tickle fight at centre ice. maybe if nhl players took time to practace their fighting skills like they practace...well...hockey, they could learn to try some mma moves or at least learn to throw effective elbows or knees instead of throwing blind punches.

Do you want them to stop and set up the octagon while their at it? Seriously elbows and knees. This is hockey not MMA.

 

[theButton]

Enforcer need to be in hockey because he no do well on office job or construction. Plus hockey you skate which he like.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think that fighting will stick around but not in the same form that you see it now.right now, the quality of hockey fights is pretty poor compared to fighting in other sports. 2 guys drop the gloves and just grab eachother and swing away untill they trip or get tired 30 seconds later. then the refs step in and thats all. most times there isnt a clear winner cause they are both able to get up and skate to the box. If you are gunna interupt the play with a fight, go ahead but dont stop untill somebodys KOed or taps out. otherwise you may as well be inturupting the play by having a tickle fight at centre ice. maybe if nhl players took time to practace their fighting skills like they practace...well...hockey, they could learn to try some mma moves or at least learn to throw effective elbows or knees instead of throwing blind punches.

The hell are you talking about? Players should be able to knee each other till one of them can't get up anymore? Jesus.

 

[CornKicker]

I think that fighting will stick around but not in the same form that you see it now.right now, the quality of hockey fights is pretty poor compared to fighting in other sports. 2 guys drop the gloves and just grab eachother and swing away untill they trip or get tired 30 seconds later. then the refs step in and thats all. most times there isnt a clear winner cause they are both able to get up and skate to the box. If you are gunna interupt the play with a fight, go ahead but dont stop untill somebodys KOed or taps out. otherwise you may as well be inturupting the play by having a tickle fight at centre ice. maybe if nhl players took time to practace their fighting skills like they practace...well...hockey, they could learn to try some mma moves or at least learn to throw effective elbows or knees instead of throwing blind punches.

yeah im with you man, but instead of dropping their gloves they should just hit each other with their sticks until someone gets ko'd or taps out. Really they should be able to kick and slice each other as well. if they are really out to prove who is tougher then they need to get a little more real.

 

[Your Boy Troy]

Give me a John Scott over the many boring passionless scrubs that play on the fourth line today. Obviously you would want an enforcer that is capable of playing a regular shift, but if you can't get a hybrid-enforcer, I'd still settle for a 'two-to-three minute goon'. The vast majority of enforcers have great personalities. Teammates enjoy having their presence. Although they have little to no talent, they will always provide their best effort.

Looking at names like Marc-Andre Cliche, Craig Adams, and Matt Halischuk. Those are bland forwards that bring close to nothing. Killing penalties, my ass. Penalty killers are easy to find. They don't provide energy or scoring. Useless. At least an enforcer brings size and grit.

 

[Sheppy]

I'd take McGrattan on my team ANY day of the week. He's been on record to saying he's the baddest man in the NHL and no one has come close to beating him since he lost to Derek Boogaard.

 

[Dalagaze]

I'd take McGrattan on my team ANY day of the week. He's been on record to saying he's the baddest man in the NHL and no one has come close to beating him since he lost to Derek Boogaard.

I'll take McGrattan if it means no Glass.

 

[YoSoyLalo]

They don't.

 

[Ghost Bear]

Out of all the players in the NHL I respect most the guys who are talented but still ready to drop the gloves when needed. Simmonds and Hartnell are prime examples.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I'd take McGrattan on my team ANY day of the week. He's been on record to saying he's the baddest man in the NHL and no one has come close to beating him since he lost to Derek Boogaard.

I was about to put up the Orr scrap - but it was a month earlier, didn't feel that long ago.

You are right.