The Daily: Has Fighting Run Its Course in the NHL?

An interesting question posed in today’s Daily – has fighting run its course in the NHL? A story from San Jose Hockey Now investigates the claims former Shark and Barracuda Martin Kaut made about being told to fight certain players before the puck even dropped. Peng bypassed Google Translate and went right to Czech native Tomas Danicek to help him fill in the gaps.

He did. The Sharks released a statement yesterday denying that Kaut was instructed to fight pre-planned players. Kaut insists that it was the case, and Peng translated the interview between Robert Rampa of iDNES and Kaut. Of the interesting interview, here’s one that stands out:

RR: What if you listened and actually played in the NHL because of it?

MK: I thought about that on the flight home. It is possible, I don’t know.

I told them during the exit interviews. I’ve played against them for five years, they know me and I’ve never fought. Why are they suddenly asking me to do this? They said they wanted to get something more out of me.

No More Fight Club?

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dave Molinari writes that perhaps fighting needs to go the way of extinction. Aside from both, the NHL has had a “fighting issue” on its hands for some time now, between toning the violence down to the link to CTE. Regardless of where anyone stands on it, fighting still rouses the crowd at a game and is, according to some players, a way for their peers to police one another.

Again, it’s a matter of opinion. But the Kaut situation is an interesting one, in an NHL that now emphasizes speed and skill.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The Blackhawks and Connor Bedard agreed to a three year entry-level deal
• The signing is another step out of the rebuild with Bedard leading the way
• Fan Duel Canada sets Bedard’s goal total at 32.5. History shows why you should take the over
• Puckdoku’s Profiles look back at three Blackhawks netminders from the 90’s and 2000’s

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Anton Strahlman is not a fan of the new NHL – Boston Bruins

Colorado: Ross Colton is signed to a four-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche

Detroit: Is the goaltending situation set for the Detroit Red Wings?

Florida: Ryan Lomberg is finally healthy and ready for the Florida Panthers

Montreal: Prospect potential is one of the main topics in the latest Montreal Canadiens mailbag

Nashville: A look at prospect Collin Graf’s journey from college and then to the Nashville Predators development camp

Philadelphia: Grading out the top 10 Philadelphia Flyers draft picks from recent years

Vegas: A Vegas Golden Knights profile on defenseman Alex Pietrangelo