NHL General Managers and coaches have always mixed feelings when it comes to fighting in the NHL. At the start of the 1992-193 season the instigator rule was first used. The rule awards a 5 minute fighting and a game misconduct penalties to the player to starts a fight. This rule was later amended at the beginning of the 1996-1997 season to also include a 2-minute penalty and increased the game misconduct to a 10 minute penalty. While these rules curbed fighting for a couple of years in the NHL, recent years have seen a steady increase in fighting. As players are getting bigger and faster with each year so are the hits and tempers flare. Players see fighting as a way to police themselves but protecting teammates. While new rules may try to curb the level of fighting, it will always be a part of the NHL.
References:
Website: NY Times - Despite Changes in the N.H.L., Fighting Rises: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/sports/hockey/25fight.html
Website: St. Petersburg Times - NHL's non-fight rule may be hurting players: http://www.sptimes.com/2002/05/04/Sports/NHL_s_non_fight_rule_.shtml
Photo: rumorsandrants.com: http://rumorsandrants.com/2009/03/fighting-may-be-seeing-its-last-days-in-the-nhl.html
When I first went to watch a Flyer's Game, I would have to say, half of the game was all about fighting. I love watching a hockey game, i can get into it, but what I don't understand is the courage and the enthusiasm that the fans get when these players fight with one another. It's good to know though that the fighters get a penalty. Like you said no matter how many rules there will be added or how many penalties the player's get, the fighting will always be a part of the NHL. I guess that's what makes it more exciting. :)
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