Can they go? Can they fight? Will they fight?
Those questions are clandestinely being asked amongst NHL scouts all across the CHL. Well, mostly in Quebec and Atlantic Canada ever since the rule change was implemented a few years back. Everyone has an opinion about fighting’s place in the game of hockey and a matter of fact as we all know opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Nevertheless, the aforementioned questions are being asked more and more because that’s part of the job, that’s part of the assessment and projecting process for scouts.
Can they go? Are they tough or fake tough? Are they willing to drop the gloves?
Since the rule change and trust me, I don’t want to go down the path on why it was changed, because it’s been well documented, but countless NHL organizations and scouts having been trying to figure things out because it really means something at the next level. Gone are the days of “The Goon” in the National Hockey League, its own rule changes eliminated that aspect of the game at the pro level and all the “tough guys” in today’s game can play the game as well as contribute to the other side of the game when needed.
Obviously, five years ago, NHL scouts didn’t have to ask the question, and you could quickly find out what certain players were made of in the QMJHL. Again, I think we can all agree “staged fighting” has no place within our great game and especially junior hockey. I realize we are in the “concussion era” of the game and we are all aware of the consequences concussions can cause long term and by no means are we promoting fighting, but in many ways leagues that have banned fighting have to take a long look in the mirror now when it boasts about their developmental aspects and preparing players for the next level or hockey’s highest level.
On one hand everyone will say junior hockey is a more entertaining and fast-paced brand of hockey which it is, but on the other hand the bull shit after the whistle and stick work is quickly becoming an issue. Some young players coming into major junior hockey that show grit, sandpaper or play a “hard nosed” in your face brand are no doubt attractive to NHL scouts, but in many cases those players have never been tested and some portray toughness, but are very hesitant to ever drop the gloves and have a go. There’s a big difference between willing and able when it comes to that side of the game. A few days back I asked a former pro and hockey lifer about that very side of the game and their thoughts on a current NHL draft prospect.
“Can they fight?” I asked.
“You will only know when you take your first punch to the face,” they replied.
(Here’s an article I wrote called “The Good Fight” featuring former NHL enforcer Brian McGrattan.) https://firstdownsportspodcast.com/2020/02/22/the-good-fight/
This draft eligible prospect has ramped up his physical style of play and will no doubt be drafted based on all of the intangibles they possess and of course his skill, but teams want to know if he can go. Not because they want him to be a “tough guy” or a “light heavy weight,” they want to know if he has it in him to be able to handle himself.
Times have changed, the game has changed, that role has changed, but as long as dropping the gloves is still part of the game, talent evaluators will always be on the lookout for players that possess that skill and the willingness to stick up for a teammate, stick up for what’s right, change the momentum and do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Can they go? Are they willing to go? Some questions need to be answered especially when it comes to drafting a player.
Let’s get something straight right now, it’s not from a lack of willingness from some players in the Q either. It doesn’t take too long to figure out that some young prospects definitely want to drop the gloves and have a go, but they’re somewhat handcuffed for obvious reasons.
Has the pendulum swung too far? Perhaps.
If you were an NHL scout, who would you draft when questioned about that side of their game. A player that you have seen handle themselves on multiple occasions or a player that has left you wondering if they can?
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