R.I.P. The pure NHL fighter

Star Tribune ^ | November 27, 2005 | Michael Russo

[wallcrawlr]

In the past, he sat on the bench simply as a means of intimidation. Once or twice a game, a coach tapped him on the shoulder, he hopped the boards with a snarl and hunted for heads.

But these days, the pure heavyweight -- that one-dimensional, slow-footed goon who plays two or three minutes a night -- isn't just endangered.

He's going the way of the dinosaur.

The New NHL is sending the pure heavyweight into extinction.

Krzysztof Oliwa was dumped by New Jersey. Andrei Nazarov never got a chance with the Wild. Ken Belanger retired from the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Worrell, who led the NHL with 354 penalty minutes in 2001-02, is playing in the East Coast Hockey League.

Feared Edmonton brawler Georges Laraque is convinced his role is a thing of the past: "If you're going to fight now, it better be memorable," he said.

Scan rosters, and there's no longer a spot designated for the resident goon.

[Axeslinger]

Couldn't disagree with you more. I'm a long time fan and I love the hockey that the NHL has put on the ice this year. I say this as a defenseman and father of a goalie.

[airborne]

You mean Sid the "diver"??? :-)

I saw the stick he dove into, when he got his mouth busted open.

You must be a Flyers fan!

[Texas2step]

I'm a long time fan and I love the hockey that the NHL has put on the ice this year.

Ditto for me, bump! A much better game than the grabbing, impeding, hooking, interfering game that was on the ice the last 6-7 years. Now they have to play real defense, and the players who have real skills can shine.

[SoothingDave]

A much better game than the grabbing, impeding, hooking, interfering game that was on the ice the last 6-7 years. Now they have to play real defense, and the players who have real skills can shine.

They've gone from one extreme to another. All the clutching and grabbing was bad, but the new regime where physical contact is frowned upon is too extreme from the other direction.

SD

[Texas2step]

They've gone from one extreme to another.

IMO, they had to. They've tried 2-3 times recently to get rid of the clutchy-grabby-hooky NHL, but it didn't last because they were too inconsistent with how it was called from one officiating crew to another. Before you knew it, it was back to the same-old, same-old.

The current "zero tolerance" is a little strict for my taste, but I think it's absolutely necessary to improve the game.

It's kind of like the way the "block in the back" is being called in the NFL. If your hands touch the player from the back on a return, you're gonna get called, whether there was any real block, or not.

Everyone is going through a learning curve right now, and I predict that by the end of the season most of the players will have adapted/adjusted to the new calls, and we'll see less penalties and better hockey. It's a phase we're just going to have to go through for now.

[GeorgeW23225]

Divers sometimes hit the bottom of the pool, and get bloody lips.

He's gotten 10's in several NHL cities so far this year. And not just in Philly......

You won't like this, but actually Washington has the rookie of the year on their team.

[GeorgeW23225]

I agree.

6-5 games sure beat 1-0 games anytime!!

[airborne]

I saw Ovechkin. He's an awesome player.

The local AHL team, the Heshey Bears, is the Caps farm team, so I follow them tto.

All in all, it's been a good start to the return of hocke, IMO.

Still like Sid!!;^)

[Nexus6]

I don't care if you're Ray Bourque, this new NHL sucks. They've lost my business and a LOT of hockey fans I know with their "MY NHL" nonsense. The rules changes are terrible, their pathetic excuse of a TV contract is laughable, and they will continue to struggle to keep this league afloat IMHO.

[GeorgeW23225]

I agree. The sport has been speeded up, and is more exciting. With the rule changes, no team is out of the game until the final whistle blows. I like that. It sure beats the old clutch and grab New Jersey Devils style of hockey!!

P.S.

I've spent many a Saturday night at the "old" Hersehy Bears Arena.

[GeorgeW23225]

If you don't like the "new" game, say goodnight. There are 2 people waiting to buy your tickets for every "one" of you who don't like the new style.

If you doubt my statement, just check the average attendance. Up. WAY up!!

[Holicheese]

I agree with you. Previously, if a team went up by a goal, the game was pretty much over. Just stand on the blue line and gum up the middle.
Now, you can have a 2 or 3 goal lead and its not a done deal. Especially when you are the Bruins.

[smith288]

I have yet to see Jody Shelley lose a match (I am a passive BJ fan so dont watch each and every game).

[smith288]

6-5 games sure beat 1-0 games anytime!!

Unless you are a blue jacket fan...then its 6-0 in favor of the opponent. lol (im really crying on the inside)

[GeorgeW23225]

Hang in there. It can only get better.
Afterall, you could live in St. Louis!! :-)

GO FLYERS!!

[GeorgeW23225]

I'm a Flyers fan thru and thru, but I always admired the Bruins for being a great oganization. I thought they had a lot of class, UNTIL what they did to Joey Thorton.

Hiss Boo!!!

[1L]

>> fighting has been been and should always be part of the game<<

This is simply idiotic and one reason why nobody missed hockey when it was gone last year. If and when this alleged fighting is completely eliminated from the game, hockey may return to some respectability.

The NFL doesn't allow fighting when there's very little chance anyone would be actually hurt due to the equipment worn. Besides, calling what these morons do fighting is a huge stretch. Someone that actually knows how to fight and can halfway balance themselves on skates would seriously injure one of these so-called goons by slamming their face into the ice.

They all better thank God that one of their peers hasn't gotten smart and actually learned how to fight.

[Nexus6]

If you don't like the "new" game, say goodnight. There are 2 people waiting to buy your tickets for every "one" of you who don't like the new style.

Really?...attendace is up 100%?...care to back it up?...I'll be waiting...yawn.

[MikefromOhio]

the Ottawa LA game was nice tonight.

There was something like 200 PIMs handed out.

It's just a matter of time and adjustment before the heavyweights can come back.

[MikefromOhio]

and they will continue to struggle to keep this league afloat IMHO.

Well keep that IMHO becuase it's wrong. You can't get a Columbus ticket these days and THEY SUCK. It's the same with just about every other team except Florida. Expect it to continue.