Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciccarelli
No I did read his post, and I'm aware of the automatic game misconduct if you instigate a fight. So basically my guess is we'll see the refs not handling out instigator penalties for "star" players who fight (unless he jumps his opponent), and enforcers or known "problem" players will get the instigator.
The officials definitely have more power to completely control the game and they now have a good control of every game and fighter to not let get out of control any game. So my guess is this rules will especially avoid any kind of brawls and games with more then 1-2 fights.
I misunderstood the meaning of staged fights maybe, for me a staged fight is a fight without a reason, just a fight that happens because two enforcers or fighters agree to test each other out because they are not going to see more ice-time anyway. If there is a reason behind and both guys agree to go I have no problem with it. My guess is most enforcers/fighters now will agree to go before they drop the gloves and as long as the refs are not complete idiots they'll avoid to handle out instigating penalties.
I think you are wrong with the 50% drop of fighting overnights just because the NHL implemented the new rules. We had less fights the first season after the lockout but we had more fight again last season. We have less fights in general compared to the early 90's mid 90's but not really much less then before the last lockout.
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Thats basicaly what I was getting at, refs will control the way the games played and any player with any type of toughguy reputation will be looked at very closely when engaging in a fight and could be given a gamer at any moment. That has to play into the coaches and players minds, I dont see how it cannot. I guess it will all depend on just how much the Q wants to cut back on fighting as to how the "instigators" are called.
When I was talking about the drop in fights I was mainly talking about the drop in fights pre bettyman to his first season as commisioner and when he really put teeth into the instigator call. Before he took office fight totals were generaly ranging from 1,000-1,300 fights a season. His first year the total was barely over 700 fights hence my nearly 50% drop statement. But in fact upon looking at the stats the fight total for the 03 season (the last before the lockout and new rules) was in fact nearly 900 fights and the first season after the lockout was only 510 so that was in fact nearly a 50% drop. The next season was about the same but last year the total nearly reached 700 so yes it did get a bit better last year but still far from the totals pre intstigator penalty.
My whole point here, and the numbers do show it to be true, is that if there was such a big drop in fights with players getting a extra 2 and maybe a 10 min misc. there would be a equaly big drop now that they get a extra 2 and a possible gamer.
I hope your right though and theres not because the way the games played today is boring enough, you take out what little fighting there is and you can forget this sport ever making it back to mainstream.