Wysh List: The state of fighting in the NHL in 2026-27 - ESPN

The boys are fighting.

According to the NHL, there has been an uptick in on-ice fisticuffs this season. Through 120 games, there were 34 games with one or more fights. That's up over last season (25) and the 2024-25 season (26).

«Definitely way more fights,» one NHL veteran player told ESPN. «Way more physicality and competitiveness. Which I think is great for the league, because it's something that sets the NHL apart from all the other major sports leagues.»

This is true. I'm not sure how many people tuned into NBA opening night to see if LeBron was going to throw hands with Karl-Anthony Towns to make an impression on his new teammates in Philly. The NHL's biggest stars will, however, punch people in the face.

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche led the NHL with 53 goals last season and was second in ESPN's top 100 player ranking for this season. Last Tuesday, he sat in the Colorado dressing room with stitches across his bloody nose and a throbbing bruise under his left eye after a fight with Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz.

«That was crazy,» said Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers, a noted pugilist that was in awe of MacKinnon-Hintz I. «They were both just chucking there, they were both just throwing bombs. Two skilled guys who were throwing, so it was pretty awesome.»

It was MacKinnon's second fight of the season, having previously traded blows with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke.

«The way we all grow up in the Maritimes is pretty gritty, Most guys from that area are feisty. I think it's good to do it sometimes. I might be done for the year, but I guess you never know,» MacKinnon said after his second bout. «Getting punched is not that fun. But the guys seemed to like it, so maybe I'll do it a