Fighting in Hockey-Can the game live without it?

Good points of view on this question in the following articles.  The first 2 are ongoing points of debate -  obvious and old in my opinion, reflecting the differences between logic and emotion, health vs tradition.

1) End fighting in Hockey - Canadian Medical Association Journal
http://bit.ly/vNnDKF

2) Fighting is integral part of hockey - Josh Aldrich, Nanaimo Daily News
http://bit.ly/v2QF1b

The 3rd perspective I offer to add input to the analysis, is "historical".  Its about why the game came to be in the first place and how that process might serve to guide action on this debate now.

3) 100yrs today Hockey came to Vancouver Island
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/tom-hawthorn/a-centennial-for-ice-hockey-on-vancouver-island/article2288647

Frank and Lester Patrick promoted the game.  They not only brought big league hockey to Vancouver & the Island by opening an arenas in Vancouver & Victoria, they sold franchises and made rules.  The Patricks were credited with introducing forward passing, blue lines and "changing on the fly".

These guys were about money.  They wanted to put people in seats.

They introduced a product to appeal to a mass market.  They looked at the big picture.

I'd be surprised if now, they would not at least try, taking fighting out.

Vancouver is among the top NHL franchises generating approx:   $1.7Million per game in revenue.
The New York Islanders (and recently moved Atlanta) are bottom with approx:  $325,000/game

The point is that there is a big disparity.  The "recipe" is producing inconsistent results.

I sincerely believe that fighting in hockey has a profound and negative affect on minor league players, coaches, parents and refs.  This effect extends well beyond the rinks into daily life.  It conflicts with the positive messages promoted by sports.  But lets forget about this whoossie argument. Lets just think about the money.

I suggest a "non fighting" product would sell better, would reflect modern thinking and be supported better at the box office.

I suggest that if Frank & Lester were here today  - they would do what they had to, to get the game up to the highest level of regard, to a level at or above any other sport on the planet.

Fighting is hurting the game - Hockey can live without it.