Honestly, genuinely, intrigued by the thinking of the fans on toughness this year.
Last year we fought less and won more.
This year we have so far fought more and won less.
Some say the guy who fought twice all year last season would have been the answer and terrified teams into pacifism.
Some say the ex NHL enforcer who hardly fought (twice) was a disappointment and didn't do enough.
Last season, unless I remember incorrectly, we were all overjoyed at our recruitment, and this was all prior to Bordeleau.
McGratton Scored around twice as much and took double the penalties of Bordy last year. Remind me how the Panthers' season panned out?
We constantly talk about how the League is getting better, better, better - how does intimidation and toughness feature as an aspect of that?
I'll take a Hotham over a Fitzgerald every day. I'll take a Martin over a Desbiens too. We all see this differently. I'm no more right than anyone else, but to say we have no intimidation or can't protect our skilled guys is simply disingenuous.
I'm not saying anybody is right or wrong here it's just a forum for opinion and hockey fans but I'm intrigued as to whether you and many others think it's a coincidence that 2 of the toughest guys the EIHL has seen resulted in less fights across league.
2014-15 Devils had 46 total fights
2015-16 Devils 43 fights
IMO shows guys were not afraid to take liberties or fight any of our guys. Noble submarine hit, Captain getting stone cold KO'd. Valibik jumping Douce.....
2016-17 We had 17 fights TOTAL.....most successful season ever.
Even Fitzy had nearly 50% less fights that season compared to 2015-16.... was it because of 2 NHL big guns in conference.......possibly. In fact I'd say definitely.
Having a top tough guy does give the rest of the team a huge boost and they can play without worrying about the cheap shot artists like Noble etc.... why was Gretzky so good. Would he have clocked up the points without Semenko, Mcsorley.....
I really don't want to see 2 fights a game at home that end in 2 losses to Flames and Giants. I want to see 2 points on the board in all games with 4 trophies in the cabinet at the end of the season.
I not for one minute saying Bordy and Mcgrattan would completely stop everyone in their tracks but Bordy seemed to help us last season. Having a go to guy who is as hard as nails will certainly help the team and take the pressure off the likes of Hotham having to drop the mits. I'd rather lose an enforcer for 5 minutes than A Hotham.