Do We Really Need an Enforcer / Goon?

by DHack on Aug 2, 2010 9:42 PM EDT

Wade Belak is a colorful guy and I know his salary won't break the cap, But do we really need a guy like this taking up a roster spot? Every time he is on the ice I feel he's just killing time. It wouldn't be bad to see him in maybe 10 or 20 games max, but he played 39 games last year with only 10 fights, and according to hockeyfights.com he only won 1. I say just turn Tootoo loose again and go from a team with a goon to a team with a real P.I.T.A.

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Thanks for bringing this up

I made a few typo corrections to your post, and agree with your direction. Many of the best teams in the leagues don’t bother with enforcers, and I’d rather see someone who can actually help tip the Goals For/Against numbers in the right direction.

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by Dirk Hoag on Aug 2, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

Simply put, Wade Belak’s influence extends far beyond the ice and into the locker room and community. We have more than enough NHL-caliber forwards on the roster, and Wade is paid very little to fulfill an important role – mentoring rookies and young players. He’s worth having around. Plus, we wouldn’t get to see anymore episodes of ’Wade’s World’! That’d be tragic.

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by Chris Burton on Aug 3, 2010 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

I absolutely agree...

Belak’s spot on this roster has more to do with being a very high character guy in the locker room and a great role model/mentor to a very young team than whether or not he drops the gloves every 15 games or so. I’m happy to give a guy a roster spot that is a great locker room presence and that also brings comic relief to a bunch of stressed-out youngsters.

And, as Chris said above…life without another “Wade’s World” episode would be a tragedy indeed. I absolutely love the guy…

by TitanPredBearFan on Aug 3, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Can he fix the power play?

LOL…maybe we can make him an assistant of some sort. With the talent we have stacked in Milwaukee, should open that spot up for somebody. He doesn’t win fights, like is pointed out. Why keep him in the lineup?

by DonBorvio on Aug 3, 2010 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

Speaking of Milwaukee...

With Kelsey Wilson the only true fighter on the team and at only 210 lbs (considered small for team enforcer duties) let see how long before all of this stacked talent get checked into the 3rd row of the Bradley Center. Kelsey will do his part, but he can’t be expected to stand up for teammates every game. Enforcers, contrary to popular belief, actually need recovery time. (Hands, shoulders, face, etc…take a beating during fights)

by BrianAdsFan on Aug 5, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Really?

Other than Detroit, who might that be?

by BrianAdsFan on Aug 3, 2010 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

Belak's Advocate

I understand the argument against employing an enforcer like Belak, and to some extent I agree. But I can also agree with an argument for him. For example, you rightly point out that Belak doesn’t win all his fights, but look at who he is fighting. When big guys like Boogaard and Brashear start throwing their weight around someone has to drop gloves with them. Tootoo is no heavyweight, so we all know Weber would step up and defend his team. Do you want Weber wasting his time, and possibly getting hurt, fighting goons? He doesn’t have to win his fights to make a difference, he just has to fight so skill guys don’t have to.

I think he’s worth the money and the roster spot, but I can see why some would disagree.

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by PredHead on Aug 3, 2010 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Good point especially since Weber now wears the “C” and will feel even more inclined to defend his team mates. Let Belak get the broken noses and knuckles and let Weber shoot lasers through the net.

by TitanPredBearFan on Aug 3, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I like Wade

I was having some trouble thinking of good arguments for him to stay, but I thought PredHead made an excellent point and Titan’s right, we can’t have Weber going to the penalty box for a major over some goon.

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by Poiju on Aug 3, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I Thought

resigning belak was a waste. we have added enough forwards his salary wont hurt us from having another forward to choose from and i do like the idea of him fighting instead of pretty much any of the regulars other than tootoo. heres the problem… he never dresses so it wont keep weber or wilson from having to go.if he aint dressin we didnt need to sign him.

by predswilrule on Aug 3, 2010 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

..

From what I see these days about Tootoo, and Belak, and other enforcers being brought up…looks like Preds fans don’t want the franchise favorite there…the “goon”. Tootoo is my absoloute favorite player, and Belak is also a great guy. Hockey is more than just appearing on the score sheet.

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by Bakht Khan on Aug 4, 2010 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Tootoo stays

This really doesn’t have anything to do with ditching Tootoo. He can skate, he can check, and he puts some pucks towards the net, and we all love the the wide open, physical game he brings. We all agree that Wade is a great guy, The question is. Does Nashville Need a player that plays 40 games, has 2 points, 8 shots on goal, and won 1 fight and makes $16,000 a game? Or would this spot be better used for a player with more overall talent that maybe still can pack a Punch? Say like a young Georges Laraque.

by DHack on Aug 5, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions