Krys Barch More Than Fights

Barch is intelligent and inquisitive off the ice, but intimidating on it. He’s second on the team with 62 penalty minutes, 14 behind young defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who’s not likely to fight while wearing a full cage helmet to protect his surgically repaired orbital bone.

“He’s always positive, not a negative thing out of his mouth,” said rookie center Nick Bjugstad, Barch’s locker neighbor. “If it’s quiet in the locker room or on the bench he’ll say something to get us going.

“Guys think twice if he’s around about going after one of our better guys. He’s an intimidation factor.”