from Travis Yost of TSN,

The minimization of fighting in the National Hockey League is a real phenomenon. Through Sunday, the 2018-19 season has brought just 0.2 fights per game. How small of a number is that? Well, 30 years ago the league was seeing 1.3 fights per game. Since then, it’s been an almost perfectly linear downward trend:

It’s a fascinating development, no question. And although it seems like it’s been a slow death, it’s really been accelerated in recent years. Compared to last season, the NHL has cut fighting’s incidence rate by 20 per cent. Compared to 10 seasons ago, the NHL has cut fighting’s incidence rate by 68 per cent. These are massive reductions, any way you look at it.

It’s worth noting that we are seeing similar trends in other leagues. Consider the Ontario Hockey League, which initiated a major fighting crackdown two years ago. Fights per game are hovering just above 0.2 this season, right around the NHL number. Ten seasons ago, the OHL was seeing nearly a fight (1.0) per game. That’s an 80 per cent reduction in one of the NHL’s most critical developmental leagues.

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