Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

GMs have “no desire” to ban fighting

Derek Dorsett, Jonathan Ericsson

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Derek Dorsett (15) and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (52), of Sweden, fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

AP

If you’re worried about the NHL banning fighting, don’t be.

At least, not yet.

According to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun, there’s “no desire” among NHL general managers to outlaw fighting, despite a push from certain members of the media to do so.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirms the lack of interest among team bosses in taking scraps out of the game.

“I don’t think it’s on the front-burner with GMs in terms of issues we need to discuss,” said Daly. “It’s obviously something we look at and are always monitoring and maybe at some point it will be raised in a GM meeting.”

Even Red Wings GM Ken Holland wants fighting to remain part of hockey, which presumably is like Switzerland coming out in favor of war.

“I’m not against fighting – I think it has a place in the game,” Holland said. “I’ve never heard of anyone pushing to eliminate it.”

Francis also references a recent study by Georgetown University doctor David Milzman that concluded fighting isn’t a serious health risk for NHL players. After all, punches on the ice don’t have nearly the power that punches on the ground do.

“When you’re on ice,” Milzman said, “you get all the power off your front foot. Whether you are holding a jersey or not holding a jersey, you just don’t get the transfer of power because your front foot is moving and the thing you are hitting is moving.

“The doctor makes a good point,” Jay Beagle didn’t say.