I'm just being a homer here, but I think Torres really stepped his game up this year. Knocked Michalek out, knocked Doug Weight out, damaged Aaron Ward...
I'm just being a homer here, but I think Torres really stepped his game up this year. Knocked Michalek out, knocked Doug Weight out, damaged Aaron Ward...
He did a pretty good steamroller impression on Iginla too during the last Flames/Oilers bout.
Hit on Michalek? Same hit that Michalek two nights before Torres' on Smyth. Hit on Doug Weight? Umm.... shoulder to shoulder hit? Hit on Ward? Give me a break.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
1. Anton Volchenkov - Biased, probably, but he hits like a tank.
2. Brooks Orpik - He's massive.
3. Vitali Vishnevski - He goes looking for it too much, but when he catches you, you'll feel it.
4. Garnett Exelby - Big hit on Sundin this past year.
5. Doug Murray - Didn't play a ton, but hits any chance he gets, and hard.
What can I say? I like defensemen who aren't afraid to throw their body around.
Regehr should be on every list, there is not a more punishing defenseman along the boards in the NHL. He destroyed Crosby cutting around the net last year and is big, mean, and knows when to pick his spots.
Phaneuf, Gauthier and Exelby are the top 3 for me.
My favourite hit still has to be Denis Gauthier's (Calgary) hipcheck on Matt Bradly (SJ) a couple years ago that almost sent Bradly into the stands. I've been looking for that hit for years.
Okay. Tell me about a borderline hit by Torres last season that didn't involve the Sharks.
The hit after the whistle on Steve Bernier in Game 5 along with the shoulder to the head of Michalek in Game 2 was good enough for me. I don't care what he does against other teams.
What about my statement prompted you to bring in something totally random, like "It was pretty funny the way the Sharks collectively hiked up their skirts and went home after that hit"?
I said Torres is not a top 5 hitter, but that he's a physical player who I've seen throw several borderline hits (Bernier and Michalek). If you can't face the fact that a player on your team makes borderline hits, what can I say? I'd love Torres on my team, he's Darcy Tucker Jr, not that it's a bad thing.
Regehr should be on every list, there is not a more punishing defenseman along the boards in the NHL. He destroyed Crosby cutting around the net last year and is big, mean, and knows when to pick his spots.
Probably the only person to get a real good hit on Sid too. Most players just seem to bounce off him or just flat out miss. I know he's on my list because of that one.
Maybe it's the homer in me, but Brooks Orpik isn't getting enough love here. Oprik and Exelby are probably the most vicious hitters out there.
Man brown likes to lead with that elbow doesn't he? Man alive those were some dirty hits.
The Reasoner and Lang hits are really the only two I have a problem with. The McDonald one if I wasn't a Kings fan . Most of his hits are forearm/shoulder.
He's the first person I've seen really hit Lidstrom like that who I can remember