If the NHL's opening game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens demonstrated anything, it was that designated enforcers - hockey players of marginal ability who excel only in their ability to fight others of the same description - don't serve a purpose and come with a terrible cost.
A little over 12 minutes into the game, Toronto forward Colton Orr landed a heavy hit on Montreal star Max Pacioretty. It wasn’t a dirty hit; Orr glided in rather than taking a run and the play went unpenalized, but Pacioretty left the game for a time before returning.
More importantly, the idea of Orr injuring Pacioretty is inherently repugnant, not just because injuries are repellent in their own right but also because of the two players involved. Colton Orr has played 422 NHL games and has 24 career points; Pacioretty matched that total in assists alone during a lockout shortened 2012-13 season. Pacioretty is a star, while Orr is only able to hang on to an NHL roster spot because he fights.
The hit was more remarkable because of who Montreal had dressed for the game: George Parros. Like Orr, Parros is a modest scorer & ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jonathan Willis
George Parros’ Injury Shows Costs of the Designated Enforcer Outweighs Benefits
October 1st, 2013 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
Advertisement