from Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun,
Try out this scenario: The Leafs have banished fighters Frazer McLaren and Colton Orr and are embroiled in a match where they lead by a goal or two. The opposing coach sends out his tough guys in an effort to physically manhandle one of the Leafs’ skilled guys (like a Phil Kessel) or spark a fight to give his team a boost, which still happens in the NHL on a regular basis.
Instead of having McLaren or Orr to counter this move, the Leafs have to depend on one of their more skilled players to step up and face the other team’s enforcer and answer the bell.
Until the NHL bands physical contact altogether, teams simply can’t turn the other cheek. If Kessel gets pushed around, somebody has to step up in his defence. Team toughness? Okay, but do you want Kessel fighting back? Without Orr or McLaren, who steps up? David Clarkson (who fought nine times last season)? Joffrey Lupul (who fought four times)? Neither are heavyweights and could easily get hurt fighting a bonafide enforcer. Besides, does Carlyle want Lupul, one of the Leafs’ best goal scorers, serving a fighting major?
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