The NHL is a league filled with the most talented players in the world. There are so many amazing young players who have just entered the league and are already some of the best players in it. Players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Aaron Ekblad are all pushing the bar of expectation for players entering the league. There are also a bunch of great players who are aging, such as Patrik Elias, Jarome Iginla, and who could forget about Jaromir Jagr. These guys were once faces of the NHL for being the most skilled players in the league. When these aging players were the focus of the NHL, there were many players who were not the most skilled but they could fight. Enforcers were not the most talented, but they could fight. In the NHL fighting has changed over the past 10 years or so and I want to look at how it has transformed.
2002: Stephen Peat vs. PJ Stock
This could be one of the best fights to ever occur. There were so many punches thrown that it is very hard to count the exact number. The energy was absolutely off the charts and the fans after the fight are cheering as if their team just scored a goal.
2003: Francis Lessard vs. Eric Boulton
Once again you can feel the energy from the fighters. This fight was just seconds into the game and they both hoped to give their team a spark. The fight was amazing, so many accurate punches were thrown and it looks as if they both ended with a draw.
Now let’s jump forward a decade.
2012: Ilya Kovalchuk vs. Brayden Schenn
This fight shows that in more recent times fights begin because players are trying to protect their teammates. It also shows that fighting is starting to be done less by enforcers and more by talented players. Kovalchuk in this scenario was trying to show that the New Jersey Devils will not put up with the Philadelphia Flyers' cheap shot on Zach Parise. Brayden Schenn had no clue that getting into a fight with Ilya Kovalchuk could end up with him being tossed around like he weighed nothing.
2012: New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
I remember watching this take place, wondering why the Devils would be starting their fourth liners and why the Rangers would have a defenseman playing forward on the opening faceoff. Three seconds later I would find out. One of the greatest rivalries in hockey is the New Jersey Devils against the New York Rangers and the rivalry is the only reason this kind of fight would happen seconds into the game.
2016: Brad Malone vs. Nick Foligno
Comparing this fight with the first one that happened back in 2002 shows how drastically different the energy levels are. The Peat vs. Stock fight was so energetic and it brought the crowd into the game; this fight got the crowd cheering a bit, but nothing like the old fight. Another place where they differ is the reason why the fights happened in the first place. The 2002 fight was based purely on the fact that both of these players wanted to spark their teams and hopefully get an early edge to win the game, but this modern day fight was based on revenge and trying to protect themselves.
Sadly, the NHL has become a place where these enforcers no longer have place on teams. Of course, safety for players is a must, but fighting in the game of hockey is an aspect that makes the sport so unique. The fights in the early 2000s were filled characterized by high energy and the need to make a statement. Today, fighting has become something where players are frustrated or they feel the need to protect themselves or teammates. I really hope that fighting in the NHL does not die off for good because losing that aspect of the game will make hockey less interesting to watch.
