A Numbers Game

At the beginning of the week I mentioned all of the attention being paid towards the number of fights this preseason and how things should settle down.  While there have been some big bang and crash games, fewer gloves have hit the ice per game and the numbers are starting to resemble a normal preseason.

Ted strong

The New York Islanders are currently on top of the team FM leaders list for this preseason.

We have the Islanders listed at 17 FMs.  Due to shaky preseason boxscores and the mess of the Islanders-Rangers game earlier in the week, the “official” number could be 16 or 18.

Either way, the Islanders had all of 18 FMs during the 2006-07 regular season.  With three games left for the Isles in this preseason, against the Rangers, Devils and Bruins, chances are the Islanders will easily top their mark from last season.

Ted Nolan has this team working hard and it’ll be interesting to see which players stick around when the final roster is set.

Just don’t start it

While no coach is admitting to sending out the boys after the ole Fred Shero tap on the shoulder, Leafs coach Paul Maurice has said he doesn’t want his players looking to prove their worth by fighting.

Fisticuffs have been prominent in some early exhibitions around the National Hockey League and Maurice understands a couple of his players might have to stand up for themselves in an altercation as the only way to show the coach what they can bring to the table.

“A guy such as Nathan Perrott has to hit,” Maurice said of the fourth-line checker.

Perrott certainly hit Danny Bois.

Duck calls

In this video segment on Sportsnet, Bill Clement talks Chris Simon, the Ducks fighting game and general NHL toughness.

More jersey talk

This time from Derek Boogaard:

Some enforcers have said the jerseys are making fighting more difficult and more dangerous.

“A lot of guys are getting hurt. They’re tearing,” he said. “Like the other day, when I got kicked out of that game in Detroit, I was just taking my jersey off and the sleeve ripped all the way up to my elbow. It was unreal. And nobody had been tugging at it or anything.”

Gratton’s status unknown

The Arizona Republic is reporting Josh Gratton could miss the start of the season.

The Coyotes will not make a decision on the status of left wing Josh Gratton until early next week. He broke the ring finger on his left hand during a fight in the first preseason game on Sept. 16 and was expected to miss at least three weeks. The season starts Oct. 4.

Videos added

Aaron Downey vs Andre Roy Sep 24, 2007
Colton Orr vs Chris Simon Sep 24, 2007

Some reads

Rangers’ Avery itches for shot against Isles
Godard helps Flames adjust to life in new pro-scrap NHL
Facing Off with Minnesota Wild LW Derek Boogaard
Brass knuckles: Neely VP
Briere a blend of gifts, grit
Best of times, worst of times under Wirtz
Lorentz’s retirement stuns Sabres