The Boston Hot Spot

The Art and Strategy of Fighting in the NHL

by: Tyler Murry: Majority Writer: Hockey (Boston Bruins)

One of the most exciting yet controversial subjects in hockey today, fighting is not simply an eruption of emotions, but a strategical boost to a team’s energy and morale. It attracts all ages with its excitement and restoration of “Old Time Hockey”.  If you look around the league at players who are considered ‘fighters’ or ‘goons’ you see players like Chris Neil, Ryan White, Daniel Carcillo, Ben Eager, and even Boston’s own Shawn Thornton.  The reason players like these fight is for two reasons.  One is to stick up for a teammate and the other is to pump up their own team. 

Many times during games players target the other teams star players with bone-crushing hits to throw them off their game.  That is when a player like Shawn Thornton steps in and picks a fight with someone to stick up for that teammate or protect him.  Many star players in the NHL are small and fragile and their team’s season could be destroyed if they were to be injured.  Therefore, having a tough guy who can fight and protect your players is essential to the team and the game of hockey in the NHL.  In reality, goons help keep players on the ice, which ultimately makes the game better for everyone involved.

The next reason players fight is to help boost a team.  Often times when a team is down 2 or 3 goals or is playing poorly, a player will go out and pick a fight to try and boost the players on the bench.  This “boost of energy” caused by the fight has often times turned the game around and been exactly what the team needs to win the game.

Top Free Agents Still Out There

by Tyler Murry: Majority Writer: Hockey (Boston Bruins)

For my third article here with The Boson Hot Spot I decided to take a brief look at some of the free agents around the league that are still available for teams to sign and where they might go.  This article will only pertain to unrestricted free agents. This is because you can count on your hands the number of restricted free agents that have gone to different teams in the past decade or so. Therefore I want to focus on free agents that will likely be changing locations.  Lets get right to it.

5. Kyle Wellwood: Previous Team- San Jose  Last Year Stats 35 GP: 5G-8A-18P

Once again injuries have sidelined Wellwood but with that being said, he is one of the best two-way centers available that will shut down opposing offenses and still be able to contribute in the offensive zone.  I think a contender like Detroit could use his services to shut down opposing teams.  Detroit struggled at keeping the puck out of the net and this caused their early exit in the second round and would be stronger defensively with Wellwood in the lineup.

Possible Destination: Detroit Red Wings

4. Chris Campoli: Previous Team- Chicago  Last Year Stats 77 GP: 4G-17A-21P

I am still shocked this guy has not been picked up.  He is 27 years old and is a very productive defensemen that can play well in the defensive zone and put up the numbers on the score sheet.  A team like Nashville could use a guy like this to strengthen the back half of the blue line.  They have the cap space and with Weber and Suter already in the mix, Nashville will be a team to watch next season.

Possible Destination: Nashville Predators

3. Bryan McCabe: Previous Team- New York Rangers  Last Year Stats 67 GP: 7G-21A-28P

At age 36, McCabe still has a booming shot and good vision, which allows him to move the puck very well.  He would be a great pickup for a team looking for a puck-moving defenseman.  Montreal would be a likely destination as they are searching for someone to fill the spot left by James Wisniewski.  The Canadiens have been known to sign players late in their careers at a large price (Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Erik Cole) and will do it again if they have too.

Possible Destination: Montreal Canadiens 

2. Ray Emery: Previous Team- Anaheim  Last Year Stats 7W-2L GAA 2.28

Emery has been haunted by injuries the past few years but when healthy, he is a top 15 goalie in the NHL.  He has great fundamentals, stays square to the shooter and never gives up on a play.  Although he has not played much, his numbers are great and many teams could us his services.  Teams that might be in the mix include Chicago and Winnipeg but the most likely destination would be Phoenix.  There is a gaping hole between the pipes for the Coyotes and they signed Mike Smith to fill it.  Smith simply won’t make the cut as a starting goalie and has proved that in his prior tenure with Tampa Bay.  Therefore, Phoenix should look to Emery for support in net.

Possible Destination: Phoenix

1. Teemu Selanne: Previous Team- Anaheim  Last Year Stats 73 GP: 31G-49A-80P

This 41 year-old winger is a hall of famer without a doubt.  He put up great numbers last year even at over 40 years old.  He is coming off knee surgery so we will have to see how that affects him and has considered retirement, but I believe we will see him lace up the skates for at least one more year.  If he decides to play, where will it be?  The answer is Anaheim.  He has played there for the majority of his career and will likely return but you never know if a real dark horse could sweep in and entice the superstar.  Selanne wants to win again so maybe just maybe a team like Detroit with a legitimate shot at winning could make a good pitch, but other than that he will likely return next year as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.