Fox Sports previews this year's tough guys and includes Derek Boogaard and Brandon Prust...Derek Boogaard (NYR)
They don't call him the "Boogey Man" for nothing. Derek Boogaard has the ability to scare the bejeezus out of the opposition without even dropping his gloves. While Boogaard only took part in nine fights last season, it wasn't from lack of trying — it was from lack of willing opponents. No NHL Tough Guy wanted any part of the former Minnesota Wild forward. But with a division filled with pugilists such as Philly's Daniel Carcillo, Ian Laperriere and Jody Shelley, New Jersey's David Clarkson and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Pittsburgh's Arron Asham and Michael Rupp and Islanders forwards Zenon Konopka and Trevor Gillies, expect Boogaard to get his hands dirty a lot more often this coming season.
Brandon Prust (NYR)
Rangers' forward Brandon Prust is an in-your-face type of player any team would love to have. But Prust doesn't only like to get in the opposition's face, he also likes to smash it in when the opportunity calls for it. The gritty 26-year-old finished third in the NHL in fights (25) and major penalties (25). Prust appeared in 69 games with the Rangers and Calgary Flames last season, registering career-highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, penalty minutes and game-winning goals.
...i tell you what, I am itching to see Boogaard pound on someone after not even sniffing a scrap in the preseason.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at nyrfan94@yahoo.com.
6 comments:
Please. Do you think Clarkson's going to go anywhere near Boogaard?
I hope the coaching staff doesn't tell him that he is a "regular" player. He is a goon and he needs his role defined.
Did Shelley even drop the gloves last year?
During the latter part of the 08-09 season Orr did not fight.
Staff has a funny way of not defining roles on this team.
Nov. 4, Rangers v. Flyers. I believe Dan Carcillo has already planned to have the flu.
i like how we have a much more physical team this year...avery, callahan, dubinsky, boyle, prust boogard..and staal can play a pretty physical game on D and delzotto seems he has a nasty edge on him...
thats six fowards that can lay out the body extremely well and play with grit (and in avery, cally and dubis cases are also expected to put some points up)
like the original post said - he's SO big and such a force that no one wants to drop the gloves with him. I like that we've got 'that guy' on our side as much as i miss Colton Orr.
When Boogard's on the ice officials expect him to start something- he was tossed from a preseason game for pushing someone during a face-off. Hopefully Torts can get him on the ice to do his job when no one's looking but it's hard not to notice Andre the Giant on skates..
Boogaard needs to consistently play physical to be effective since he won't find many willing combatants. I hope they don't neuter him. He's a good tough guy. Rarely see Boogaard continue to punch a guy who's down on the ice. He respects "the code".
Post a Comment