Why doesn't the NHL get rid of the instigator

[Randall Graves]

I've been talking about this for 6 years.

many others are sick of it, yet the NHL never acknowledges it.

Every off-season comes and goes with nothing done.

Losers are allowed to play dirty, hide behind their visors and the instigator.

What can we do?

[FightingIsGood]

The players want to get rid of it, but most of the GMs and owners do not. Bettman obviously doesn't want to get rid of it, so guess who ends up winning? I've wanted the instigator abolished for the last 15 years. It handcuffs players who want to stick up for their teammates and make other players accountable for their actions. They seem to think getting rid of it means that goons will beat up stars/non-fighters, which may happen maybe once in a blue moon, but they would immediately be held accountable if they tried. If they're serious about reducing the cheap shots and headhunting hits, then they'd be all for getting rid of it.

[TML-Mike]

Not sure, but I think the issue is way overblown. People act as if guys like Avery, Downie, and Ott can get away with murder. Not true. I've seen plenty of times when they've been jumped, pounded, or attacked after something dirty.
If someone wants to do something crazy, like Simon did to Hollweg, the instigator doesn't stop them. And if someone wants to beat someone, as retribution, like Carkner did to Downie, or Moen did to Ott, etc, the instigator doesnt' stop them.
I'd like to see the rule gone, but people on here overblow it. They act as if it prevents anyone from getting jumped. It doesn't. Pests like Kaleta, Avery, etc still get a good beating. The guy who does it just gets an extra 2.

[FightingIsGood]

No, they get an extra 2+10, and that 10 is a huge reason why you don't see those guys taking more of the beatings that they deserve. If they don't want to get rid of the instigator, at least drop the misconduct.

[Skorka85]

Because Gary Bettman and company don't care about what the players and fans want and will continue to force their vision of what they feel the NHL should be on everyone.

That's the end of the thread right there. This has been done a thousand times.

[zdrok]

Originally Posted by Skorka85

Because Gary Bettman and company don't care about what the players and fans want and will continue to their vision of what they feel the NHL should be on everyone.

That's the end of the thread right there. This has been a thousand times.

Bettman thinks it's more lucrative and family-friendly without fighting. Showing that he's aiming for the wrong audience in that aspect, because the demographics clearly prove otherwise.

[LuvMeSumOTT]

Originally Posted by zdrok

bettman thinks it's more lucrative and family-friendly without fighting. Showing that he's aiming for the wrong audience in that aspect, because the demographics clearly prove otherwise.

amen

[fightingfan]

the instigator rules pretty much allows pest to get away with anything they want to do. it makes no sense that a guy can cheap shot one of your players and instead of paying the price, the enforcer who goes after the pest gets punished for it. this is one rule that will never make sense to me.

[Phila26Flyers]

The NHL needs to get rid of the instigator so that dirty cheap shot artists like Mike Richards can't disgrace the game of hockey anymore.

[fightingfan]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

The NHL needs to get rid of the instigator so that dirty cheap shot artists like Mike Richards can't disgrace the game of hockey anymore.

haha knew this was coming

[Randall Graves]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

The players want to get rid of it, but most of the GMs and owners do not. Bettman obviously doesn't want to get rid of it, so guess who ends up winning? I've wanted the instigator abolished for the last 15 years. It handcuffs players who want to stick up for their teammates and make other players accountable for their actions. They seem to think getting rid of it means that goons will beat up stars/non-fighters, which may happen maybe once in a blue moon, but they would immediately be held accountable if they tried. If they're serious about reducing the cheap shots and headhunting hits, then they'd be all for getting rid of it.

They lack common sense, I agree there would be less cheapshots if these *****'s knew that Rypien or May were ready to beat they ass.

[Randall Graves]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

The NHL needs to get rid of the instigator so that dirty cheap shot artists like Mike Richards can't disgrace the game of hockey anymore.

Agreed, if head hunter knew Brad May would destroy that pretty little face for his head shots he'd atleast think twice

[BrianTheAdsFan]

What's the instigator?

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by Randall Graves

Agreed, if head hunter knew Brad May would destroy that pretty little face for his head shots he'd atleast think twice

LOL Brad May. Richards has fought tougher and come out alive. I don't think he's worried and he will continue to send people off the ice with their eyes rolled back in their head.

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by BrianTheAdsFan

What's the instigator?

Otherwise known on here as BigBad.