2009-10 Grimson Award: Best Punching Power/Most Destructive

[Merlin401]

After Colton Orr and Derek Boogaard failed to floor anyone in 08-09, they made a mini-comeback and look to recapture this award after an Eric Godard interlude last year

Nominees

Derek Boogaard
Although I think Boogaard is the fighter I'd least like to face in the NHL, his destructiveness is seriously reduced playing time concerns, nagging injuries, and opponents employing a defensive style to protect themselves from his murderous right hand. He had a solid year in 09-10, including a dropping of divisional nemesis Brian McGrattan.

Steve MacIntyre
Although not a full-time player in 09-10, MacIntyre made the most of the fights he got into. At 6'6" and over 250 pounds, MacIntyre is truly one of the most intimidating people to lace up skates in any game he plays in. He landed thunderous punches in great fights with top heavyweights McGrattan, Brashear, and Orr (winning the latter two) before truly showing his power by flooring Wade Belak in a late season fight. If he can find a full time job next year, there is no telling how much damage this man can do.

Colton Orr
Orr continued to show a tendency to throw his punches from his ankles and when he connects the results are tremendous. His yearly victim this year was Matt Carkner who got dropped twice... and the second time he didn't get pop up so quickly. The incredible punching power comes at the expense of defense, and Orr did indeed get caught twice this year; once from Carkner and another by a pick right hand from Jody Shelley. Still, all this considered, his right hand seems to have iron in it when connecting.

John Scott
Scott joined Boogaard as a fellow twin tower in Minnesota, frightening opponents with his incredible 6'8" 255 pound frame. He only got into 6 proper dust-ups during the year, but left a trail of wreckage in his wake, dismantling his mostly non-heavyweight fight card. When he stepped up in class though, he was able to drop George Parros with a big right and cut David Koci above the eye. Scott also garnered a TKO decision over Danny Bois in pre-season, showing he has plenty of power in that immense frame.

My Pick
One season is not enough body of work to get the reputation needed to win this award in my opinion. Of the two guys who seem to own the punching power category, I think Orr had the more impressive season over Boogaard, in no small part due to his legitimate KO win. So win: Colton Orr

Past Winners

2003-04: -
2005-06: Derek Boogaard
2006-07: Derek Boogaard
2007-08: Colton Orr
2008-09: Eric Godard

[zoli]

I am going with MacIntyre. He absolutely destroyed some pretty good guys, both in the NHL and AHL. In his limited time and chance, he KOed Yablonski, dropped Brashear with a body shot, sent Belak to his knees and overpowered Colton Orr. If i am not mistaken, he also beat down Fitzgerald and McNeill in the minors.

Quite a good resume. The guy fought only 11 times!!!

[BigBadWolf1171]

Id have to go with Orr in this one.

[Killah_punk]

I think if Steve MacIntyre would of had more games in the NHL this season he would of won this award. Dude can drop people with both hands and he's a beast. His KO of Yabo in the AHL was impressive! I'll give it to Orr for this past season, but watch for Big Mac and Godard next season. With the Atlantic Division stacking up there should be plenty of destruction.

[OneilltheGiant]

I gave it to Mac...

In limited fights he really hurt people with his power... In the McGrattan fight McGrattan was winning clearly early on in the fight, but half way though the fight he was caught and hurt and was holding on at the end with Mac in control...

In the Brashear fight Mac landed a heavy body punch and Donald was clearly hurt. He then landed a 2nd body punch and Brashear went down to his knee, and the lino's had to come in as Brash was hurt...

In the Orr fight I had Orr just edging the scrap till Orr was caught with a big right hand and hurt, Mac followed it up and forced Orr down to the ice with rights..

In the Belak fight Mac finished the fight with a number of clean right hands and Belak went down to the ice.. He may not of been badly hurt but he was shaken up..

Mac also Ko'd one of the toughest guys in the minors in Yablonski and also dropped Grant McNeill as well.... In my opinion MacIntyre is right up there with Boogaard, Godard, Orr, Bosse and the like for punching power...

[I_am_Belak_2]

I went with the non-homer pick: Big Mac.

[Wild_KO King]

We all know what Boogs is capable of, just ask Fridge, but I honestly think that he is holding back these days, afraid of injuring another player. The shot to the Fridge was a potential career-ender, and I think that shook Boogs, as he no longer seems to be trying to knock someones head off. When he was a kid he was laying out guys like Vandermeer, Gilles, McGrattan and Fridge in devastating fashion. Now he just seems content with toying with guys.

I have to go with Orr for the sheer fact that he is still trying knock guys blocks off and still swings for the fences.

[jp4202003]

the winner of this one is Colton Orr

[Isles4life]

I know we didn't get to see nearly enough of him at the NHL level this year, but Steve MacIntyre seemed to really do a lot of damage against some very tough competition this season. While I may be letting some of his AHL accomplishments inflate his overall reputation as a destructive fighter instead of basing it solely on his NHL body of work, I think he still did do enough at the highest level to have at least earned a serious mention in the conversation and Mac gets my vote.

[leafs_fan77]

Colton Orr. Guy throws a bomb everytime he swings.

[BullyFan]

Gotta agree with Killah.

Orr wins this til MacIntyre gets a full season in.

[Boogeyman2383]

I went with Boogaard because I've seen him absolutely demolish fighters. (Grats, Fridge,O'Brien,Vandermeer,Brennan, the list goes on...)
Obviously his only TKO came against McGrattan, but if you asked me if I was going to get my face adjusted by those pieces of machinery, Boogaard would be the last guy I would choose.
I have no problem with Orr or Big Mac winning this one.

[RiverDogs]

i thought i clicked colton orr but i hit john scott, dang it

[Blouin]

Colton Orr. you never know with that right!

[bruiser11]

Colton Orr..Boogarrd is much bigger! So I'd give orr the most surprising!