Darren McCarty? Why would you bring him up? He’s not an enforcer, never has been. i say enforcers fight, and you counter with Darren McCarty? He takes regular shifts and contributes offensively. He will fight on occasion, and generally gets soundly beaten and bleeds a lot whenever he fights someone not named Claude Lemiuex.

Goon is a dismissive term, period. If you didn’t MEAN it that way, fine. But you used it. If readers have to “know you” to understand what you mean, you don’t fully understand this writing thing.

Darren McCarty did more than just fight when he played for Detroit. He does more than just fight for the Flames, too.

let me point out that your dismissive use of “goon” strongly implies that you are anti-fighting.

BZZZZZZZZZZT! Incorrect! It implies nothing, nor was I \”dismissive\” of anything except the fuckheads that call themselves \”hockey fans\”, yet bitch and whine when there isn\’t a fight every game–you know, kinda like your buddies on Fried Chicken\’s Fight Site.

The day of having a player on the roster that can\’t do anything but fight is over. Fighters are expected to actually be able to contribute more than pugilistic skills in this day and age–it\’s why guys like Darren Langdon don\’t have jobs anymore. It\’s why Jesse Boulerice has an extremely slim chance of ever playing in the NHL again unless he learns to do more than just chuck knuckles.

But hey, what do I know? I\’m just obviously anti-fighting, according to you.

In lieu of an enforcer, who do you propose to protect the other players - Mike Commodore? We need him on the ice, and he’s a terrible fighter anyway. Although newcomer Scott Walker can fight, he’s a middleweight at best, and again, too good a player to be taking 5 minute breaks.

Since you “sheeshed” me, let me point out that your dismissive use of “goon” strongly implies that you are anti-fighting. Supposedly you are not - fine. But you can hardly expect that to be evident from what you wrote.

I’m sure you’re a nice person, so don’t take all this personally.

Also, go easy on the quotes key.

“Sheesh!”

If you knew me at all, you would know that I’m not “anti-fighting”. But please, don’t let me keep you from trying “to claim the moral high ground”.

I’m not talking about making somebody answer for being a cheap-shotting dirtbag–I’m talking about expecting the team to have a guy on the team that does nothing BUT fight. I’m talking about the toolbags who are the hockey equivalent of Neckcar “fans” that go to races and then piss and whine because there wasn’t a multiple-car pileup on Turn 3.

Sheesh.

That isn’t the point - goons aren’t around to win games, they are there to protect star players who don’t fight, i.e. Eric Staal and Erik (bad neck) Cole.

Look at it this way - AT THE VERY LEAST, when someone takes a headhunting run at Cole next season (and it’s gonna happen a lot, as Ethan Moreau demonstrated), having a goon to square up with the guy would at least get him off the ice for 5 minutes. Some guys will still run him, but better players like Moreau would likely think twice if they knew they had to tangle with an enforcer and then sit for 5.

As of now, there is no-none-zero-zipp- price to be paid for anyone who wants to take a free shot.

Also, fighting has always been a part of the game. You don’t have to like it, but don’t try to claim the moral high ground about being anti-fighting.

Give me enough mead and dose me up with enough Tramadol, and we might could discuss your proposition.

Love,

The Acid Queen

Screw you.

Sincerely,

Wade Brookbank

Has anyone heard if there are any feelies out there for Recchi. He’s a quality addition at 2.5M or less. Curious to see where he winds up.

Who did you have in mind as a Cup winner without a goon? I think I can guess at a bunch.

A slew of Habs teams. Not ‘86, there was Nilan and Kordic. If you consider John Ferguson a goon or not, you can debate ‘65, ‘66, ‘68, ‘69, and ‘71!

Two years ago, TBay had Dingman and Roy, who didn’t add up to much. In 2003, the closest NJ had was Turner Stevenson was hurt much. Only goon on the 02 Wings was Hasek!. The Avs, the previous year had Dingman and Scott Parker.

Nothing will ever compare to the 74-75 Flyers where the ratio was reversed!

Your point is well taken about their usefulness (or lack of) these days. In the regular season, they are needed, I believe, primarily in divisional rivalries and that’s pretty much it.

A couple more good seasons down there and they’ll be no worries about the overall hockey intelligence. Just remember you are a work in progress yourself!

That’s how it used to be in Detroit, then the team got good and the asshats crawled out of the woodwork, slapping stickers and flags on everything they could find, talking smack as if they actually had knowledge of the game.

Watch out, another Cup win or 2 and your beloved Canes along with the bandwagon that comes with such championships will become what you hate most, the Red Wings.