2007-08 Neely Award: Skilled Fighter of the Year

[Merlin401]

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

Zdeno Chara - Boston Bruins
After a disappointing 2006-07 year in which the hulking defenseman recorded zero fights, Chara promised Bruins fans he would be more involved in 2007-08. The elite defenseman went on to record a career high 51 points (17-34), grabbed an All-Star nomination, and helped lead the Bruins to a surprising post-season berth. Meanwhile, he lived up to his promise, dropping the gloves four times, including with top tier heavyweights Georges Laraque and Donald Brashear. Those were poor fights, but the bloody beating he put on Chicago's heavyweight, David Koci, is one of the highlights of the season.

Mike Commodore - Carolina Hurricanes / Ottawa Senators
Along with a career high 29 points (7-22), this rock-steady defenseman also added nine fights including a win over Ryan Malone, a gutsy challenge of Colton Orr in defense of teammate Matt Cullen, a nice slugfest with Rick Rypien, and a pair of battles with rookie David Clarkson.

Jarome Iginla - Calgary Flames
The NHL's quintessential power forward had a career-year, scoring 50 goals, netting a career-high 98 points, and captaining his team and the Western Conference All-Star team. His aggressive play led to five fights, including a nice battle with Ed Jovanowski, a solid win against Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, and a draw with up-and-coming rookie Jared Boll. Many NHL'ers consider Iginla to be the best all-around player, and so it is refreshing to see him still leading by example in dropping the gloves.

Ryan Malone - Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing alongside superstars, Malone chipped in 27 goals and 24 assists while also hitting career highs in penalty minutes and fights. He obviously worked on his fighting to protect his high-profile line-mates as he transformed himself from a punching bag into a capable fighter who broke Mark Bell's face, had a good two-fight series with David Clarkson, had a great fight with Jason Smith that he won, and beat on agitator Matt Cooke.

Brenden Morrow - Dallas Stars
After a injury-plagued 2006-07, Morrow played in all 82 games and recorded career highs in goals (32), assists (42) and points (74). He was also a +23 while adding five fights, none of which he lost. He notched wins over Aaron Voros, Adam Burish, and Ryan Suter while earning a draw with Nathan McIver.

Dion Phaneuf - Calgary Flames
Phaneuf, under aggressive coach Mike Keenan, became an even meaner, nastier defenseman while continuing to add prolific offense from the blue-line. He scored a career-high 60 points (17-43). In his first two years combined, Phaneuf registered 191 penalty minutes and 7 fights in the regular season. In 2007-08 he had 182 PIMs and 10 fights! He had a great draw with Shane Doan while also taking on the likes of Travis Moen, Keith Tkachuk, Ethan Moreau, Todd Bertuzzi and others.

Mike Richards - Philadelphia Flyers
'Canon' stepped up from a solid forward with good leadership abilities to elite status in 2007-08. His 75 points (28-47) were more than his first two years combined. Richards fought five times including pre-season, three of which were against the hated Rangers (Chris Drury, Sean Avery, and Brandon Dubinsky). He also beat Brooks Laich and took on Nathan Paetsch.


My Pick

There are some special players on this list and Mike Richards and Jarome Iginla top the list in my mind. Their lower fight totals though, tips the scales to Iginla's teammate Dion Phaneuf who is the nasty defenseman everyone wants to have. With him collecting double digit fight totals and 60+ points, I give this one to him. Hopefully more great players keep dropping the gloves in the seasons ahead.

Previous Winners

none - first time awarded

[skacore]

It's tempting to pick Phaneuf or Malone based on the fact they doubled their season most fights, but I'm gonna go with Chara. 6 scraps on the year, up from 1 last year. He only had one entertaining bout but it really said a lot about the type of captain he wants to be when he squares off with Laraque and Brashear to change the momentum of a game. His bloodying of Koci also shows that he does have punching power and the ability to use his reach when he doesn't lose balance early in a tilt. He got himself involved all year long and really sets the tone for the entire Bruins' squad.

[NJDevils17]

I'm going to go with Phaneuf on this. He was a pretty active fighter and one of the best defensemen in the game.

I have a feeling that next year we'll see Milan Lucic on this list.

[Rugged]

Voted for Chara because not only is he one of the best D-Men in the NHL, he could absolutely destroy his opponent in a fight if need be.

If I could pick one guy I'd love to have on my team, it would be him.

[Shockadelica]

I don't like not voting for Mike Richards - especially for a cross state rival player in Ryan Malone. This guy was fu*kin good this year! Fighting wise and playing wise. He smashed the shiit out of Mark Bell and even had the sack to fight heavyweight Riley Cote. Malone gets my vote here.

[bupz91]

I voted for Morrow because i really like him and i've seen how he leads the stars and stands up for his teammates.

[jp4202003]

Ryan Malone. Any team in the NHL would love to have him play for them.

[Powerforward]

Iginla got my vote. He is an all-round player. Leads the team in scoring and fights.

[Snipes19]

Jarome Iginla.

All-around player. One of the best goal-scorers in the NHL, and he's not a bad middleweight fighter.

[bigty]

A little suprised Vincent Lecavalier didnt make the list. Oh well the vote will go elsewhere.

[Phila26Flyers]

My vote goes to Ryan Malone. I remember his revenge fight against Jason Smith the most because that was when I realized Malone can actually fight.

I question Chara as a nominee. He didn't do sh!t this year apart from the Koci fight. If he had actual fights against Laraque I think he just about runs away with this one, but that is a montrous "if" considering both fights were reminiscent of a high school wrestling match.

[FlyersEnforcer]

I don't think Richards had enough fights to take this, but once I seen how many people voted for Chara I was relieved. I don't think Chara even belongs on here, but then again I went with the homer pick.

[BGDDYKWL]

Chara is a Norris Trophy type dman, and he fought Brennan, Koci, Brashear, and Laraque twice. And I realize his fights with the champs could barely be considered as such, but you likely won't find a skill guy with that kind of card ever again. That gives him the nod here IMO.

[DARCY T]

BRENDEN MORROW.theres no other option for me

[Brashearfan]

Chara definitely has an advantage with is size, but he can do it all.