Hawks' GM Tallon: Fighting is a necessary evil
When NHL general managers begin the discussion on fighting during their meetings that run through Wednesday in Naples, Fla., everyone will know where the Blackhawks' Dale Tallon stands.
The league has been exploring ways to possibly curtail fighting even more, or at least making it safer, ever since the death of Don Sanderson of the Whitby (Ontario) Dunlops in a Major Hockey League game in December.
Sanderson hit the back of his head on the ice during a fight and never regained consciousness.
"I don't think taking fighting out of the game is the answer," Tallon said.
"I think it's necessary evil. I think if we take that out then there's going to be more violence, stick swinging, and like that. I think they're talking about the gratuitous fighting when it's planned or choreographed."
The NHL already has ruled that players no longer can throw their helmets aside during scraps.
"There have been some adjusted because of what happened to that young man in Whitby, Ontario," Tallon said. "Helmets are mandatory. You have to wear them throughout the game and I don't think it's right to take it off to fight. Now, with the visors, there will obviously be some complications there, so it will be interesting to see what the discussions are."
Perhaps something else the NHL should look at is outlawing the wrestling-like takedowns that often end fights and could lead to head injuries.
Injury report: There was no news from the Hawks on Monday regarding the injury Martin Havlat suffered in Sunday's 5-1 loss to Colorado.
But the Hawks still haven't admitted that Adam Burish broke a toe in November, or that Patrick Sharp has a knee injury.
Nikolai Khabibulin, who has been out since Feb. 11 with a groin issue, might return to practice this week. According to Dale Tallon, Sharp also is close to skating again.
"We look forward to all three of them, Sharp and Khabby and Sammy (Pahlsson) coming back here at the same time to give us a boost of energy and get us to the playoffs," Tallon said.
Watch your back: The Hawks look at the standings and know very well that Vancouver, Columbus and Nashville all are making a push to catch them for fourth place in the Western Conference.
"We need to realize we're playing for home ice advantage," Duncan Keith said. "Vancouver is right there behind us."
The loss to last-place Colorado opened the door even more for the Canucks.
"We've got three more games here at home and they're all big points," Keith said. "We have to come out with a lot better effort (Wednesday against Carolina)."