Why Goons Don't Matter Anymore

A few days ago, I wrote an article on why the dedicated enforcer is an outdated concept, in response to a Cam Cole article from a week or so earlier. Among the subjects discussed is the relative efficacy of Steve MacIntyre in the prevention of injuries to the Oilers' stars, young and sort-of young.

11 months ago Doogie2K 5 comments 0 recs |

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This may be a little crazy, but is there any reason to think that employing a goon isn’t always a hockey decision, but a financial one? Many goons play on relatively crappy teams. If your team isn’t going to be successful on the ice by outscoring the opposition, can you instead help put bums in seats by being a team that can out-fight the opposition? Many goons are very popular players on their teams and can help maintain a following for their pugilistic activities even while the rest of the team can’t put the puck in the net (or keep it out of theirs). They are also cheap. Is there a simple price-driven logic for having them on your team to keep fans interested while not competing for the big prize?

by Yeti# on Jul 11, 2011 10:01 AM MDT reply actions

At the NHL level, I’m not sure. At the minor league level, this is almost certainly the case, even on successful teams.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Jul 11, 2011 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions

At the NHL level I’m sure it still has some amount of draw. Derek Boogaard’s jersey was a pretty big seller in Minnesota, and it certainly wasn’t because of any Rocket Richard trophies. Fighting is definitely a bigger draw in the minor leagues, though.

by despisethesun on Jul 11, 2011 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions

Let’s be honest… your choices in Minny were Burns, Koivu, Bouchard and Backstrom.

And if his mother lived there, Brunette.

In theory, there is little difference between practice and theory, but in practice there is!

by dawgbone98 on Jul 11, 2011 12:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Case in point. NHL fans in the south stand when guys drop the gloves, in Canada they sit and applaud. There is some truth to marketing a goon for dollars sake.

Tending the Farm for The Copper & Blue

by Neal Livingston on Jul 11, 2011 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions

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