If you were a NHL coach...

[no name]

I get the feeling the Goon only player in the NHL is a dying breed. Only a few select left. Seems like the Rupps, Ashams and Averys are what teams are moving towards.

[mikey287]

Good for the minors, fans of minor league hockey (especially older ones) gravitate to the hand throwers. Might keep one down there, but all in all, they aren't necessary today.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Yeah, what mikey said. Waste of a roster spot for the NHL, but has gate attraction potential in the AHL.

[Gaucho]

I can certainly do without.

[ulf]

i think someone like Kunitz is far more effective than a goon. The fighters don't really deter anyone from hitting star players, due to the instigator rule. As a result, the only fights are against the other goons, and I could go without those. Fighting isn't that entertaining to me anymore, unless it's someone like TK that gets into it to get the team going.

[columbia]

I see no use for them, but it remains to be seen if Shero does.
Will Big Mac make the opening game roster over the Nick Johnsons of the world?

[firepower]

Keep them in the minors. Gotta have old fashioned hockey somewhere. Can call them up in case the owners get out of hand. Oops too late

[pressure=9Pa]

They will always have a place in the minors, because guys that can fight need to prove they can skate, and marginal skaters need to prove they can fight to get another shot at the NHL. However until you demonstrate you can do each, you can stay in the AHL.

[mac5155]

Cam Jansen and Ben Eager are 2 that come to mind that can take a normal shift.

[wondermoose]

There seem to be enough players that can play AND fight, so no, goons are on their way out. Gotta be able to at least skate these days.

[no name]

I agree with everyone the Godards and MacIntyers are on their way out.

If there was a total enforcer who could play a regualr 4th line shift and be effective, how much would you pay for that player?? Would you target him as a guy you gotta have or would you save that cap space for another type of role player. I wouild imagine he would be worth 1.5 a season.

[IanMoran]

I've wondered why we've never seen emergence of shootout specialists. If going to have someone that will only play a couple minutes a night, won't play in playoffs, and is useless outside of one thing... I've always felt scoring in shootouts would be more important.

[no name]

I've wondered why we've never seen emergence of shootout specialists. If going to have someone that will only play a couple minutes a night, won't play in playoffs, and is useless outside of one thing... I've always felt scoring in shootouts would be more important.

I think that is why Erik Christinson is still in the league, you can find a guy like him anywhere in the league. His shootout ability keeps him valuable. I guess a shootout guy is going to be a finess type of player and might not fit in on a gritty 4th line.

[MRandall25]

Except Christensen signed in the KHL before the lockout even began.

[Pitt87]

Good for the minors, fans of minor league hockey (especially older ones) gravitate to the hand throwers. Might keep one down there, but all in all, they aren't necessary today.

Minor league fans like fighters, but I think the heavyweights that can barely move the puck have no place in the game today. I think an enforcer needs to be able to 'enforce' with his gloves on as well as he does with gloves off.

[Hawkeynut]

Staged enforcer fights are the NHL's equivalent to a cock fight.

[pressure=9Pa]

I've wondered why we've never seen emergence of shootout specialists. If going to have someone that will only play a couple minutes a night, won't play in playoffs, and is useless outside of one thing... I've always felt scoring in shootouts would be more important.

I've argued for this many times. Many, many points are awarded based on winning a skills competition a dozen or so times a winter. Come playoff time and free agency, those points are forgotten about.

[no name]

I've wondered why we've never seen emergence of shootout specialists. If going to have someone that will only play a couple minutes a night, won't play in playoffs, and is useless outside of one thing... I've always felt scoring in shootouts would be more important.

I've argued for this many times. Many, many points are awarded based on winning a skills competition a dozen or so times a winter. Come playoff time and free agency, those points are forgotten about.

I always thought they should play 3 on 3 in OT until a winner is decided. The shootout still has excitment but I would rather see a hockey play determin a winner than someone who is just good on a breakaway. Also any penalty in OT should be a penalty shot.

I know mine isn't a popular opinion and i have to admit the chance of a shootout does keep people in their seats during OT. In the old days the arena would start to clear when there was 2 minutes left in the game. and by the end of OT the arena was only half full. Now it pretty much stay full to the end if the game is close.

[scals37]

I've wondered why we've never seen emergence of shootout specialists. If going to have someone that will only play a couple minutes a night, won't play in playoffs, and is useless outside of one thing... I've always felt scoring in shootouts would be more important.

I've argued for this many times. Many, many points are awarded based on winning a skills competition a dozen or so times a winter. Come playoff time and free agency, those points are forgotten about.

I always thought they should play 3 on 3 in OT until a winner is decided. The shootout still has excitment but I would rather see a hockey play determin a winner than someone who is just good on a breakaway. Also any penalty in OT should be a penalty shot.

I know mine isn't a popular opinion and i have to admit the chance of a shootout does keep people in their seats during OT. In the old days the arena would start to clear when there was 2 minutes left in the game. and by the end of OT the arena was only half full. Now it pretty much stay full to the end if the game is close.

Definitely would be interested in seeing this format, unfortunately I doubt it will ever happen

[scals37]

There seem to be enough players that can play AND fight, so no, goons are on their way out. Gotta be able to at least skate these days.

make way for the Engellands and Rupps, tough guys that can play the game are way more valuable and IMO are more entertaining to watch scrap