For those of you in pools where penalty minutes count, don’t you just hate having to waste one of your roster spots on a toothless goon, just for the sake of buffing up your PIM totals? Have no fear! There are, in fact, several goons who can contribute offensively, somewhat anyways…
Coyotes’ LW Daniel Carcillo – He averaged 5.7 penalty minutes per game last season as a rookie. He also had 13 goals in only 57 contests. Over an 82 game schedule this works out to 19 goals and 466 PIM!
Stars’ LW Sean Avery – He made the headlines for dating Elisha Cuthbert and agitating Martin Brodeur with that stick-waving spectacle in the playoffs last year, but don’t let the buffoonery fool you. This little pest can skate, and actually has a decent set of hands.
Flyers’ RW Steve Downie – He’s done some questionable things in his young career already, but which goon hasn’t? Downie has been productive offensively at all previous levels of hockey, and given a chance on the power play or a top line, he could put up some surprising assist and point totals.
Bruins’ LW Milan Lucic – Boy do Boston fans love this kid. Historically, the Bruins have had some of the greatest power forwards: Phil Esposito, Cam Neely… Milan Lucic? Only time will tell for the young workhorse.
They’ll certainly rack up minutes in the sin bin, and will be good for a point or two the odd night, ultimately giving you the edge over your competition. Note, particularly to the Leaf faithful: Wade Belak does NOT fit into this category.