As described last year: The NHL has become so accustomed to enforcers fighting on behalf of skilled players that it is so rare to see the best players in the league drop the gloves. Although there is NO ONE like Cam Needy or
Wendel Clark or
Rick Tocchet anymore, there still are superstars who show enough heart, passion, and leadership to get involved periodically. This award recognizes these players, who embody everything hockey should be about
: The Total Package.
Nominees
Kevin Bieksa - Vancouver Canucks
The rugged blue-liner continued to be an offensive force while proving to be a physical presence on the blue-line. He scored a career high 43 points while adding 5 fights and 97 penalty minutes. Bieksa only had one slight loss in his fights, that being a great fight with
Ben Eager. Otherwise he had four solid victories, including Mike Richard and
Dan Hinote.
Scott Hartnell - Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers got a steal when they picked up
Scott Hartnell two years ago, who put up career numbers for his new team. He scored 60 points (30-30), 143 PIMs and a +12 rating. Hartnell and his crazy red hair dropped the gloves 7 times and one more in the playoffs beating the likes of
Ian Laperriere,
Brandon Dubinsky, and others.
Jarome Iginla - Calgary Flames
Iginla tallied 89 points, including 35 goals in Calgary while adding 3 more fights to his impressive career. He drew with
Cody McCormick, edged out
David Hale and knocked down
Willie Mitchell in a solid 08-09 campaign.
Milan Lucic - Boston Bruins
Lucic started to blossom into the premier power-forward we expected last year, netting 42 points (17-25) with a +17 rating for one of the best teams in the East. He was even more impressive in the playoffs with 9 points, 43 PIMS, and a +12 rating in the playoffs. His 11 regular and post-season fights were nearly all wins, bookmarked with wins over rival Mike Komisarek. He scored big wins over
Nick Boynton (badly bloodying him), Brendon Witt, and
B.J. Crombeen. Lucic also went toe-to-toe with
Chris Neil,
Eric Boulton and knocked down Melichar.
Dion Phaneuf - Calgary Flames
Slightly down year for the all-star defenseman who tallied 47 points from the blueline. He also put up his second consecutive 100 PIM year while adding four fights, most interestingly against
Jason Spezza!
Mike Richards - Philadelphia Flyers
Career high 80 points (30g, 50a), career high +22, and chipped in great leadership and 5 fights. Had his annual fight with
Brandon Dubinsky while also going against
Kevin Bieksa,
Troy Brouwer,
Dan Hinote, and Dan Girardi
My Pick
I think
Milan Lucic took things to the next level this year. There is no one that talented that fights like he does. He's one of the few non-Rangers that I'd pay to see play.
Previous Winners
2007-08:
Jarome Iginla