I think maybe you need to elaborate on this one. I'm missing the connection between stopping fighting (which you and I agree on isn't usually the cause of serious head injuries) and how that's responsible for the concussion issue, which is serious.
For collision concussions, as I said, not much. For other things, like board checks, falls, getting hit with pucks, helmets do serve a useful purpose. Plus it's fun to see who gets the helmet ripped off first in any fight.
caw
I will argue strenuously and forever that trying to stop fighting has lead to increased injuries, including and perhaps specifically head injuries. The latter yes, but that's not what I meant.
Hockey is a full-contact sport. It's built in to the game.
Often, there's a disparity in size and strength between players of different positions.
It makes logical sense for, say, a large, strong player who is not responsible for scoring (or particularly proactive defense), on one team, to target the more needed, more talented, more responsible for scoring, often smaller and more vulnerable player on another team.
It's not hard for a well-placed, perfectly legal check to smash the hell out of, say, Kane (and who'd complain, really?). Same as it ever was.
It'd have been damn easy for a Howe to demolish Gretzky back in the '80s. Not like they couldn't find the little sucker - hint: look behind the net.
However, that didn't really happen, because had someone done that, it'd have .2 seconds from it occurring or the next puck drop for McSorley or Cementhead or whomever, along with everyone else including Fuhr/Ranford, to proceed to rip Howe limb from limb.
When Buttboy started trying to eliminate fighting wholesale, the league (as it's the North American system by nature), moved into the clutch-and-grab and danger zones. It's not been good for the game or the players. It doesn't benefit anyone to have a star forward at risk of perpetual squashing. It doesn't benefit the league to have the guy actually squashed. It benefits the opposition to squash him, especially if the only possible retribution is a penalty or even suspension leveled at a big guy employed mainly for the purpose of squashing.
Fighting kept things on a more even keel - it kept things on a more respectful level. The increase in the stuff that'd be kept in check by fighting, the increase in clutch-and-grab all led to more frustration which etc.
As to the helmets not helping - of course from puck hits, accidental falls, etc., they help and it's hard to argue against them. However, there's an argument to be made, that has been made, though not quantified, as there wasn't the same level or type of record-keeping, that the presence of helmets makes people careless.
When people knew there weren't helmets, sticks weren't as high, people weren't as quick to check up. LaFleur played how many years without incident? McTavish? It's anecdotal, as again these stats don't exist, but the people who played in both eras have said as much.
