The NHL has seen fighting majors drop significantly over the past 10 years. Here is the decline:
Season - Fights per game
2008-09 - .60
2009-10 - .58
2010-11 - .52
2011-12 - .44
2012-13 - .48
2013-14 - .38
2014-15 - .32
2015-16 - .28
2016-17 - .30
2017-18 - .23
Source: hockeyfights.com
Cultural evolution and some subtle rule changes have resulted in fighting majors hitting an all-time low in the NHL this season.
And yet...
The Stars and Panthers combined for six fights and 138 penalty minutes on Tuesday in a game that could serve as a Petri Dish on the value of fighting and its future role in the league.