I believe fighting has its place in hockey. The players want to do it. The coaches want to see it. The fans enjoy it.
More than that, players have often said, as Harley Haggarty did in the Players Tribune, that there’s a purpose behind fighting. Players don’t hate each other. The ones who fight do it because that’s part of their job. Fights are meant to set a tone, get your team riled up or to warn opponents against taking runs at your skill players.
That’s New Jersey Devils right wing Jordin Tootoo’s role in the NHL.