If an idiot like Hansen knew ONE thing about the game of hockey or had grown up in Canada or even the Northern U.S., he might have a clue about the reason fighting is necessary in hockey.

It's a release valve from men playing a physical game using weapons. They don't have that in other major sports, Einstein. Learn the game.

Of course, how many times did we hear you call a Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy (Hansen's version rhymes with boy).

Seriously? whats happening to the good ol days? Did they even play with 'helmets' back when hockey first started? My goodness! Some people have too much time on their hands.

How can you seperate hockey and fighting? Its a full contact sport. The players know this when they sign on the dotted line. The players defend their own and thats the way it should be! I'm questioning Hansen and all the sportscasters/ NHL commisioners who say fighting "can't" or "shouldn't" be condoned. Why not? This isn't like soccer or baseball or any other sport for that matter. Its HOCKEY-thats the beauty of hockey. If the players complain about too many hits to the head then sit on the bench and quit fighting! It takes two consenting players to "engage" in a fight. GET REAL!! It boosts the team morale and the fans. I love seeing OTT play because he just goes out there and gives it his best, he definately defends his playmates and thats how its supposed to be. Quit making these lame rules and find something better to do with your time than contemplate some dumb helmet rule.

Wow, Dale. Do you even watch enough hockey to know what you're talking about? Fights are part of the game but no one is obligated to participate in one. Plenty of finesse players leave the fighting to the guys that really know how to do it. Accidents happen but banning fights in hockey won't change that.

Sports reporter you may be, aficionado you are not.

Is Hansen dumb now? Hockey is a rough and tumble sport - all this protecting players, etc. is wrong. If they want to fight, then so be it. It keeps the game fun.

Keep fighting, and keep on pressing on Stars!

I personally think it is a bad choice for players to fight and for teams to encourage it. Say to yourself is that truly how you want to influence kids and teens. To fight when ever they get mad of just to make them look cool. To do that to retaliate (and I don't mean every time) is not the answer for getting mad. Instead I think you should retaliate by making a good pass, a good steal, a good shot, or a hard check (but NOT hitting the snot out of a guy). Sometimes I see kids at recess starting to fight but not a real fight. Then they start hitting harder and getting mad and eventually getting into a fight and getting in huge trouble. That happened at my school with the fifth and sixth graders but instead of 2 people it was a lot of kids. I hope one day professional hockey coaches realize that and not encourage it. I also think that is such an issue that the penalty for fighting should be 4-15 game suspension like almost all other sports.