Here's where I am coming from: I am not a 'real'  NHL fan.  I watch hockey only during the playoffs because the regular season is boring and much much too long. But I did play hockey from the time I was 6 until 16.  I loved playing hockey.  Even today, the sound of blades on freshly Zambonied ice is one of the most wonderful sounds in the world to me.  I was the smallest kid on the team and I loved to hit and throw  body checks but I was so small that I don't think anybody noticed or I could possibly have hurt anybody!

I quit because I couldn't stand how the overly competitive parents of the other kids transmogrified a fun game into a win at all costs battle.  And we weren't even playing competitive hockey.  I played in the lowest level house league!

Having said that, I think both Todd Bertuzzi and the NHL need counselling.

Both seem to be a bit off.

The NHL is the only professional sport where fighting is tacitly condoned? Why? In my opinion, there is no reason why  in 2004.   The only possible reason could be because of the hockey culture of violence is so ingrained that like an addict, it doesn't see that it's time to give it up.

Todd Bertuzzi is a gifted player who obviously needs anger management counselling for abusing the magnificent physical attributes that nature has blessed him with.

What's my armchair quarterback prescription for the NHL?

Easy, get rid of the hockey culture of violence and make the game more entertaining!

First and foremost, enforce the rule book.  Whether it's the pre-season, the regular season or the Stanley Cup Game 7, enforce the rules at all times!  Ban fighting by having an automatic game misconduct for fighting.  And automatic penalities for stick work above the knees.  Finally,  get rid of the rule where a penalty is cancelled if the other team scores.

I really don't have suggestions about making the game more entertaining.  I don't watch enough NHL games to have any insight into why the games are so boring! But anything that increases the flow of the game such as getting rid of the red line should be considered.