New OHL Fighting Rule Has Watchers

Through Saturday, the league reported 156 fights compared to 217 at the same time last season, down 28.1 percent, a trend that, if it continues, surely will become part of the ongoing debate about fighting’s role in the game.

It is enough the NHL will monitor how things progress, though Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, who has served on several league rules and competition panels, said there is no impetus to follow the OHL’s lead.

“I’m not necessarily a big proponent of fighting, but I don’t think it’s a real issue in the sport right now,” Yzerman said. “I think everyone is pretty comfortable with the way the rules are, but we’ll see how it develops.”