Fighting might increase because players no longer will be automatically ejected for an "instigator" penalty at the beginning of fisticuffs.

Any player with three instigator penalties gets a two-game suspension.

But are the referees calling more instigator penalties?

In the first 130 games, they had assessed 15 instigator penalties, compared with 11 at the same time last season.

Sometimes, the instigator penalties are rescinded, which limits the risk of suspension for multiple offenders.

Presumably, a rule change to allow for more instigator penalties would increase the number of brawls like this one.

After the fight Brennan was assessed 19 penalty minutes, including an instigator penalty.

Last season, when instigators got only an extra two minutes, only 26 percent of the fights included an instigator penalty.

With the instigator penalty, players are prevented from policing their own.

Expect some stories out of Chicago tomorrow regarding the absurdity of the instigator penalty.