The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't historically known as a team full of enforcers, but in 2001-02, they had one of the heaviest hitters in the NHL.
This dip into The Hockey News archive lands Penguins' defenseman Darius Kasparaitis among the game's best hitters, but also top notch teammate.
In this listing, The Hockey News not only examines who in the NHL were some of the toughest to play against, but also how important of a teammate they were.
Find out where Kasparaitis fell and who else made the NHL's Terrible Ten with The Hockey News Archive.
March 22, 2002 / Vol. 55, Issue 28
In Dallas they wear t-shirts with a smoking, 45-caliber handgun next to Bryan Marchment’s name. Or a hangman’s noose.
In Philadelphia, an enraged Flyers supporter crashed through the penalty box glass after being squirted with water by Tie Domi.
And that’s just how the fans feel about them. Imagine what kind of reaction these players evoke in opposing players or coaches.
Former Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock called the oft-suspended Marchment “sick”.
What the New Jersey Devils called Domi after he clipped Scott Niedermayer with an elbow during the playoffs cannot be repeated outside of a longshoreman’s reunion.
Yet the most vilified players, the ones that spark the most visceral reaction amongst fans, players and coaches, are often the ones teammates cite as being most valuable to a Stanley Cup run (or bar-room brawl). They are players everyone loves to hate but even more, love to have wearing their colors.
Case in point: No one taunted Mario Lemieux with more sneering enthusiasm than Darius Kasparaitis. Penguins GM Craig Patrick hated it so much, he made a deal for the devil.
Here then, in random (violence) order, are the NHL’s Terrible Ten.
DARIUS KASPARAITIS
RAP SHEET: Fearless. Many would say fearsome. Low, devastating hits often blur line A between hockey and aggravated assault. Will be one of the most sought-after players come trade deadline if ruled an unrestricted free agent. Leads NHL in hits this season.
THE FLIP SIDE: Says he prays for players injured by his hits. Kissed perplexed teammate on the helmet during “kiss cam” promotion in Toronto earlier this season.
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