Hockey sucks just as much as basketball, and I think the fighting is pathetic.
I think those guys are assholes
I love hockey, the core sport that is.
I think it takes a great amount of skill and athleticism to play the game and do it well... Certain players, like Cam Neely, Gretsky, Fedorov, Yserman, Lemieux, and so on are amazing... These are not the goons who get into fights, which, in my opinion bring the sport down.
The core sport is fantastic, but the fighting really does detract from the game to me.
Unfortunately, that is what the "casual" hockey fan is looking for.