Bob Smizik Is Out of Touch

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published on article on how fighting is detrimental to the popularity of the NHL. With all due respect to Mr. Smizik, I found two glaring faults in his argument.

1) It's basic human nature to gravitate towards fights. There's a reason UFC is the fastest growing sport in America today. For every fan that will turn off the TV set when two guys drop the gloves, there will be another three that stay because of it. If Hollywood is any indication, violence sells.

2) You're trying to remove a facet of the game that has been around since it's inception. Fights aren't the result of an argument about who has the more stylish hairstyle. They are due to the fact that skilled players (athletes who bring in the most revenue for the league) have been roughed up. I prefer not to use the term "hockey goon" because I don't think a majority of hockey teams have goons. A guy like Jody Shelley isn't a goon. He's a policeman. He makes sure that skilled players such as Michalek, Setoguchi, Marleau etc. have space to work with out on the ice.

The day you remove fighting from hockey is the day Sidney Crosby is unable to produce at the level he is capable of. Hockey fights aren't just a facet of the game that draw fans directly- they indirectly draw fans as well, by making sure the stars are able to do the job they are paid to do. Put pucks in the net and put butts in the seats.

It's painfully obvious Smizik didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night.