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Who are the Five Best Fighters in the National Hockey League?
One of the NHL’s most famous activities is fighting. When it comes to fighting, here are five players who stand out among the rest.
Out of all the action in the NHL, fighting remains one of the most talked-about aspects of the game. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but of late, it has become more frequent. Some of that concerns the type of players coming back into the league. There is also the unfortunate fact that dirtier players are taking more liberties. Gone are the days of the enforcers, but that doesn’t mean some NHLers are letting those days go quietly. Here are the five best fighters we’ve seen so far in the NHL this season.
Ryan Reaves:
The NHL’s Current Obvious Choice
It isn’t a fighting article without mentioning the active goat of fighting. Ryan Reaves, 37, has managed to rack up more penalty minutes (1095) than career games played (902). While his ice time was frequent, only averaging around eight minutes per night, his presence was always there.
There has been debate over the past few seasons about his effectiveness in the NHL and if his presence on the roster protects players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. He brings almost nothing in terms of offense and isn’t a regular in the lineup. Still, the Leafs signed him to a three-year deal.
Tanner Jeannot:
Fighter and Scorer
Tanner Jeannot, 27, is one of those rare players who can both put up a fight and land the puck in the net. In his rookie season, Jeannot tallied 41 points (24g, 17a) in 81 games. While his scoring may have slowed down, his fighting has not, with him dropping the gloves four times this season. Jeannot has five goals and eight points in 34 games this season with the Los Angeles Kings.
This was a player who had a ton of value at one point in his career. The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Tanner Jeannot from the Nashville Predators for Cal Foote, a 2025 1st round pick, 2024 2nd round pick, 2023 3rd round pick, 2023 4th round pick, and 2023 5th round pick. It will go down as one of the more lopsided trades in recent history. About 11 months later, the Kings acquired Jeannot from the Lightning for a 2025 2nd-round pick and 2024 4th-round pick (#118).
Mathieu Olivier:
Bringing Energy to Columbus
While the Blue Jackets may not be making headlines this season, Mathieu Olivier certainly is. The undrafted forward leads the league with an impressive eight fights. In a matchup against the Boston Bruins this past week, Olivier dropped the gloves twice—and dominated both bouts. He may be respected as currently the toughest guy in the NHL.
Arber Xhekaj:
Controversial But Fun to Watch
While Arber Xhekaj, 23, may be a very controversial player in many people’s books, especially if you’re a Senators fan, you must admit he is fun to watch. Xhekaj has gotten into two scuffles this year; he even fought Olivier earlier this season. He certainly brings a lot of attention, whether it be good or bad.
The issue for Xhekaj is that he’s inconsistent when it comes to his on-ice play. Some days, he’s one of the budding young prospects on the Canadiens that some see as a future NHL star. Other days, he doesn’t look like an NHL player at all.
Matt Rempe:
The Suspension King of the League
Just like Xhekaj, Matt Rempe, 22, is a highly controversial player. His countless unnecessary hits on the opposition cause many to complain about his over-the-top physical activity on the ice. He hasn’t seemingly figured out how to play in the NHL without walking the line between clean and dirty. Perhaps he’s just trying too hard to make an impression.
When it comes to fighting, Rempe is undoubtedly one of the best. Standing at a towering 6’9”, he uses his size to overpower opponents and secure decisive wins.
Next: 3 Trade Candidates for the Buffalo Sabres This Season
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