Matt Kassian and Shawn Thornton square off. Cal Sport Media via AP Images

Instigator Rule Opinion Swaying Among NHLers

The NHLPA and CBC conducted a player poll with a variety of questions ranging from fastest shot (in case anyone wants to disagree with a machine) to which player would you start a franchise with. Also asked: Should the instigator rule be abolished?

A slight majority of players still favor the rule: 53% of players polled said no. However, this is down from 66% of a no vote last season.

Each season 98% of players said fighting should not be completely banished, the phrasing taken directly from the question.

America sees some bouts

Sunday was Hockey Day in America, so says the NHL & NBC Sports, and fans witnessed a few good scraps.

In one of the early games, Ryane Clowe out-matched a very willing Justin Abdelkader in a spirited bout. This was the 13th fighting major of the season for the Detroit Red Wings, matching their 2010-11 total. Seven of those fights have come within the past month.

Shawn Thornton took on the much larger Matt Kassian. At first the fight looked like it was going to be all Kassian, but Thornton was able to hang on, get position and the two started going back and forth. It was a long one, testing Kassian's stamina, Thornton's being well-documented.

Later in Florida, Krys Barch went with George Parros. Barch was able to land a few shots as the two spun around over and over.

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