Betmaster,
Thank you for a very reasoned post. I would take issue with a couple of your points. First, the game is not now, nor should not be, self-policed. The players should play and the officials should officiate.
Second, you say fighting serves a purpose, and from your post above I gather that you think it's a dual purpose..."There was an unwritten code as to what was acceptable to do to another guy and if you crossed that line you knew you had to answer to fists. Not only did this protect star players from injury and harassment, but it also provided additional entertainment from time to time with relatively few injuries as a result."...Now, the first purpose can also be accomplished by the officials calling penalties against players who "cross the line", as you say. I repeat players should play, and officials should officiate. The second purpose, the additional entertainment fighting provides to the hooligan element of the hockey fan base, is the real reason that nothing has been done by the NHL to eliminate fighting. I agree that the focal point of the sport is putting the puck in the net and stopping the opposing team from doing the same. But you are incredibly naive if you think that fighting (just like car crashes in motor racing) isn't the focal point for many hockey fans. The difference is that car crashes can not be completely eliminated in motor racing, whereas fighting could be, and should be, completely eliminated from hockey.