The Top 15
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| AP |
If you ever saw Wayne Gretzky fight, and this clip is your chance in case you missed it, then you understand why god created enforcers and bodyguards. But not all skill players in the NHL automatically deserve a tomato can label on their heads. In fact, more than a few can hold their own, and then some, in fistic battle. Consider them part of a proud legion that includes such illustrious Hall of Famers as Rocket Richard (right) and Gordie Howe at the high end. Here's a list of 15 current players with hockey skills that range from good to excellent who also pack enough punch to not be pushovers in the clinches.
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Jarome Iginla
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| Getty Images |
Calgary's captain is the quintessential power forward. He scored 50 goals last season (he hasn't lit the lamp fewer than 30 times since 2000) and seems to relish dropping the gloves. According the meticulous folks who maintain the fight cards at Hockeyfights.com Iginla is a whopping 14-3 since January '04 -- the season in which he led the Flames to the Stanley Cup Final.
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Zdeno Chara
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| Getty Images |
SI's Pierre McGuire rates Boston's towering (6-9, 251-pound) workhorse backliner as one of the five best fighters in the NHL, period. Chara scored a career-high 51 points last season, kills penalties with dispatch, mans the point on the power play, and played through a postseason series with a torn labrum. Obviously, he's not to be trifled with, as David Koci of the Blackhawks learned while being pummeled into pulp last year.
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Joe Thornton
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Jumbo Joe, so named for his 6-4, 235-pound frame, is a top scorer and passer who led the NHL in scoring in 2005-06 but is not thought of as much of a roughneck. When he does get into a scrape, his size and superior reach make him a load. In recent years, he's given Steve Ott, Tim Gleason, Luke Richardson, Bryan McCabe, Eric Desjardins and Brendan Witt the what-for. The last to beat him? Eric Lindros in January 2004.
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Vincent Lecavalier
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Tampa Bay's elite scorer boasts an impressive 5-1-2 mark the last three seasons, dispatching Shaone Morrisonn and Scott Hartnell among others. Lecavalier fearlessly flailed at Zdeno Chara in the 2006 playoffs and most memorably exchanged heated pleasantries with Jarome Iginla in Game 3 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Neither outcome was favorable, but you have to admire him for trying.
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Chris Pronger
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| AP |
A truly bruising blueliner, this 6-6, 220-pounder won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for 1999-2000 and was a key component of the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup champions. He's notorious for dishing devastating hits and isn't much more enjoyable in a dust-up. He's had only three fights since '02, but he's won all of 'em. Obviously folks know enough to keep back 500 feet.
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Mike Komisarek
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| AP |
The big (6-4, 240), nasty Habs backliner is a fearless shot-blocker and dispenser of dizzying hits, yet he's skilled enough to cover an opponent's top scorer. When it comes to the Sweet Science, Iron Mike was 4-1 last season while establishing himself as a force on what is now the Eastern Conference favorite to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
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Sheldon Souray
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According to the stone tablets at Hockeyfights.com, Edmonton's 6-4, 227-pound power play specialist with the wicked shot is a spotless 10-0 since 2003-04. Keith Ballard, Byron Ritchie, Matt Greene, Derian Hatcher, Colby Armstrong, Chris Clark, Darren McCarty, Ryan Malone, Andrew Alberts and Corey Sarich bear the welts to prove it.
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Milan Lucic
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| Getty Images |
The 20-year old left wing endeared himself to the Boston faithful last season as a hardy throwback to the days of the big, bad Bruins. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Lucic has loads of power forward potential for putting up points. In the meantime, he's displayed a hard nose for corners, big hits and mixing it up. He lost only three of his 13 bouts last season.
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Brent Burns
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| AP |
The 6' 5", 219-pound Wild blueliner is only 23 and steadily improving. He scored 43 points last season, his fourth NHL campaign and many observers believe he has All-Star in his future. He's also held his ground in the trenches where he is undefeated in four outings, including a triumph over Dion Phaneuf last April.
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Sean Avery
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| AP |
The NHL's notorious fashion magazine intern and superpest chipped in 15 goals and 33 points with the Rangers last season. The Stars are counting on him to continue driving opponents over the edge. When foes drop the gloves to vent -- they often do; Avery has been in 54 fights during his eight-season NHL career -- he's a fistful, as Darcy Tucker can attest.
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Dion Phaneuf
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| AP |
Yet another premier punisher on the blueline, Phaneuf delivers thunderous hits and thus ends up in more than his share of scraps. The Calgary bruiser had 10 last season -- going 4-3-3 with bouts against such grizzled veterans Todd Bertuzzi and Keith Tkachuk.
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Ryan Getzlaf
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| Getty Images |
The Ducks won their Stanley Cup a year ago by employing a particularly black and blue brand of hockey. Getzlaf, the 23-year old wide-bodied (6-4, 221) center who continued his development by scoring 24 goals and 82 points last season, fits the mold. He beat Dion Phaneuf in a 2006 stemwinder and has been bested only once in five bouts since.
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Mike Fisher
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| AP |
One of the game's finer two-way forwards, Fisher plays all-out and is a master penalty-killer. His skill with the dukes adds yet another painful dimension to his game. Fisher's had seven fights since the start of the 2003-04 season and has yet to lose. Among the vanquished: Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker.
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Ilya Kovalchuk
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| Getty Images |
The electrifying Russian who scored 52 goals for the second time in his six-year career last season is one of the NHL's most formidable offensive threats, but one might think of him as being the sort who might make a good punching bag. Not so. He's acquitted himself well against the likes of Drew Stafford, Sean Avery and Mike Comrie.
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Brenden Morrow
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| AP |
The Stars' 5-11, 207-pound fireplug can score (career-high 32 goals last season) or dish the vengeful lumps when need be. He's been in 50 donnybrooks since 1999, serving shiners and giving as good as he gets.
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