Fighting words

ByABC News
December 4, 2013, 10:11 PM

— -- "This is a physical game. The players want it physical, that's how they make their livelihood. The fans want it physical, that's the nature of the game, but we want to make it as safe as we can.

"I don't make the [game's] rules. I don't have unilateral decision-making authority and there are people on both sides of the discussion that are very well dug in on their positions."

-- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman ( The Globe and Mail)

The NHLPA told ESPN.com that fighting is among the topics being discussed during Donald Fehr's fall tour with all 30 dressing rooms, but otherwise the players' union declined comment on the subject at this time.

Scott Burnside, Craig Custance, Pierre LeBrun, Joe McDonald, Scott Powers and Katie Strang contributed to this report.