Big Week for the Gooners

It's been a big week for those who love fighting in hockey.

First, last week Anaheim GM Brian Burke pushed through a small change in the instigating rule as it pertains to suspensions.

Second, the goon crew had a weekend of fantasies fulfilled with the Sabres and Senators dropped the gloves over and over, leaving Chris Drury sidelined with a concussion.

Finally this morning came the news that the highly talented Pittsburgh had surrendered to all the pressure around them and brought in enforcer Georges Laraque from Phoenix.

Laraque is probably the NHL's toughest heavyweight, although more and more you've heard whispers of late that like all tough guys, from Dave Semenko to Tie Domi, he's been less willing to scrap, particularly this season.

He has very limited ability, and probably will only dress for some of Pittsburgh's playoff games.

But the goon crowd has got to be thrilled with this one today, the crowning achievement of a week that dragged the NHL a few steps backwards.

Comments

[Wardo]

I commented a few days ago in your "Fighting Logic" blog entry that the Pittsburgh GM could not be taken seriously when he stated Crosby wasn't being unduly harrassed, and that the Penguins presumably needed no enforcer to safeguard the Kid.

However, to support your argument that fighting isn't a major part of the game, you used this quote in flimsy support of denying an element of the game that is actually a time-honoured tradition, something that has been part of the game from the very inception. Because you used the public comments (that can never be taken at face value) of a GM in support of this idea, whether it is legitimate or not - I reckon it undermined your argument. It was further discredited when the Pens picked up the toughest player in the game today.

I'm not "thrilled" with this outcome, but the fact is, there is no reason to imagine fighting will depart the game anytime soon, no matter what tactic you employ in trying to denigrate it in your columns.

You were wise to ignore my all-in bet on the Pens adding an enforcer to the lineup. They didn't even stop at Big Georges, no doubt Roberts will be riding shotgun with the Kid, who has more than a "little ability" and can throw down when it's necessary, too.

One more thing - Shero didn't "surrender" to any pressure (presumably, you mean knuckle-draggers who nevertheless managed to operate a telephone long enough to harrass him to trade for a goon) to trade for an enforcer. Anyone who watches hockey knows that Crosby is routinely kicked around, and Shero decided enough was enough.

[geoff spriggs]

Damien Cox revising history when it come to fighting in hockey? NO....!!
According to Damiens post, the Sabres/Sens fight(s)left Chris Drury injured.Umm..Saw the game...Chris Neils late blindside hit left Drury injured.The fights happened as a result of that hit.

In Damiens ideal NHL after someone runs your team captain,all players would in an orderly fashion skate to their bench to sit and quietly examine their inner feelings.Hopefully they would then be enlightened (like Damien) and a more peaceful and passive self will be attained while they cart your team mate off on a stretcher.

All I can say is that writers write...players play and protect one another.Who could blame them particularly when we see how the league office handles(or doesn't) these matters?

[David]

Laraque's been reluctant to fight for some time now. I'm not sure a change of scenery will help that, but his heart should be more in the game in Pittsburgh, so who knows... 22 points in 56 games isn't awful by any means, especially when it's on the Coyotes.

Drury wasn't injured in a fight, it's fair to connect the fighting to his injury, but not his injury to fighting. That could have happened whether or not fighting's tolerated in the league.

Also, the instigator rule change is just a suggestion as of now. I'm not sure the board of governors will actually make the change due to PR.

[mark]

Damien, your constant tirade against fighting in the NHL makes you almost as commical as Don Cherry and his pro fighting tirades. What niether of you ever seem to do is offer a solution. So, nows your chance Damien. You are league commission and you get to decide what happens to a player when he participates in a fight. Tell us how you are going to get rid of fighting and still not have guys like Chris Neil shouldering your leagues most valuable assets into the twighlight zone? Hockey is an contact sport and is played with real emotion. You will not rid hockey of fighting any more than you can rid it of cheap shots and whether you want to admit it or not, one does act as an effective counter measure to the other. So, let's hear your ideas on controling this cycle of violence, oh wise exalted anti-Cherry.