Connor McDavid will miss approximately 5-6 weeks after he fractured a bone in his right hand during a fight, as reported by the Erie Otters. The injury, one which will force McDavid to miss a significant amount of time, has resulted in a firestorm of anti-fighting arguments from a huge number of fans and analysts. Meanwhile, several NHL players have come out in support of McDavid’s decision to drop the mitts.
Here’s video of McDavid’s fight where the injury occurred:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIAXoESvfyw
Early reactions to McDavid’s injury ranged from a movement to ban fighting at all levels to ones which urged a ban in the minors. The reaction was expected seeing as the NHL’s top prospect suffered a serious injury in a situation which could have been avoided. It took a bit longer, but other outlets defended McDavid’s decision to drop his mitts.
To be clear, the McDavid situation is an unfortunate one which could have been avoided. The issue is that had McDavid won this fight by a significant margin, fans and analysts would be praising his intensity, his drive and his ability to stand up for himself.
Some NHL players chimed in to defend McDavid:
At this point take fighting out of hockey just to shut up writers who have never been involved in a competitive sport in their life.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
McDavid had a kid playing hard and finishing hits on him. Probably had been in his hip pocket all night. He wanted it. It's a conflict sport
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
Are the days of just lining up off faceoffs and fighting just for fighting on there way out. For sure. A good thing. Maybe not for me.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
But a fast, hard hitting game where there is conflict @ every corner & writers who never been in that situation in their life want it gone?
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
How about you let the guys putting on their equipment decide? McDavid did. He didn't have to.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
Here’s what Nazem Kadri had to say, as seen in the Toronto Sun:
“The kid stood up for himself. With the enforcer role kind of dying down in hockey, sometimes you have to take things into your own hands. It’s unfortunate that that happened but it seemed like he got the best of (Cianfrone), and I’m sure that if he didn’t hurt himself people would be saying, ‘Good for him for standing up for himself.’ You don’t like to see it, but there’s that compete level in every young star that ‘enough is enough’ and that you’re sick and tired of getting abused.”
Puck Daddy may have summed this whole thing up the best. Electing to fight may not have ended well for McDavid, but it was his decision to make. The result was a poor one, which means McDavid will likely think twice about fighting in the future. Still, the decision is – and will continue to be – his.
Let’s stop trying to connect one incident and make a rash decision which influences the sport. Writers are vocally against fighting in hockey and that’s fine. The players, the ones actually out on the ice, are in favor and it’s not even close. In 2012, 98% wanted to keep fighting in hockey. Fighting will likely also be a polarizing topic, but it’s one the players have a say in. No one is forced to fight. However, the option is there and it should continue to be there as long as a majority of players support it.
