Latest Ranking of NHL's Top 5 Tough Guys Released: Big Surprise at No. 4
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
On the TVA Sports website, Ian Gauthier published an interesting ranking of the NHL's five toughest enforcers.
And unlike other rankings of this kind circulating, Gauthier bases his list on concrete numbers.
Ranking of the NHL's Top 5 Tough Guys
I'll say it right away-yes, the usual names are there, like Mathieu Olivier, Arber Xhekaj, and company.. But there's also a nice surprise in fourth place (I say fourth place because it feels natural, but technically there isn't an official order).
The first name is no surprise: Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who dropped the gloves 15 times last season.
"The 28-year-old Quebecer had an impressive 2024-25 season, scoring no fewer than 18 goals and 14 assists. That's quite a contribution for someone who also established himself as the NHL's number one heavyweight." - TVA Sports
The second name is one well known to Montreal Canadiens fans: Philadelphia Flyers enforcer Nicolas Deslauriers, now 34 years old.
The third name is another very familiar face to Canadiens fans, none other than the one and only Sheriff!
Arber Xhekaj hardly ever loses a fight.
The fourth name-the surprise of the ranking-is Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno.
"The veteran winger fought nine times last season and lost only once, according to thesportsgeek.com. Perhaps the most underrated tough guy in the league." - TVA Sports
The fifth and final name on the list is Mark Kastelic of the Boston Bruins.
He was the second-most frequent fighter in the NHL last season, dropping the gloves 10 times.
To summarize:
1. Mathieu Olivier
2. Nicolas Deslauriers
3. Arber Xhekaj
4. Marcus Foligno
5. Mark Kastelic
2. Nicolas Deslauriers
3. Arber Xhekaj
4. Marcus Foligno
5. Mark Kastelic
We strongly recommend reading Ian Gauthier's full article, which also includes several honorable mentions such as Ryan Reaves, Michael McCarron, Matt Rempe, Tom Wilson, and a few others.
Personally, I find myself agreeing quite a bit with this ranking.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21 | 1858 ANSWERS Latest Ranking of NHL's Top 5 Tough Guys Released: Big Surprise at No. 4 Would you trade Arber Xhekaj for Mathieu Olivier? | ||
| Yes | 238 | 12.8 % |
| No | 1620 | 87.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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