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LeBrun: Why is bare-knuckle fighting still allowed by the NHL?

It occurred to me the other day as I observed the fuss in Montreal over whether the Canadiens had properly followed concussion protocol with Nathan Beaulieu after he took a hard punch in a fight with the Columbus Blue Jackets' Nick Foligno. (The NHL said the Habs properly followed protocol.)

What I couldn't help but think in the days afterward was that the wrong debate was being held. Shouldn't we be asking why the NHL still allows bare-knuckle fighting?

At a time when we know so much more about brain damage in sports, are we really still debating the merits of fighting in hockey?