NHL's 25 Most Bone-Crushing Hits of the Last Decade

One of the most exciting parts about the NHL is the amount of bone-crushing hits we see on a nightly basis.

Even though a massive hit cannot affect the score of a game, it can dramatically change the pace, energy and tempo of a game. Like a hard foul in basketball, these hits often result in a game becoming much more physical.

Let's look at the NHL's most bone-crushing hits of the last decade.

Note: Hits that resulted in a suspension were not considered for this list.

Brooks Orpik and Daniel Paille

One of the biggest hits of last season was when Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik absolutely drilled Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille.

Dion Phaneuf and Tuomo Ruutu

During the 2010-11 season, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf delivered a huge hit on Carolina Hurricanes winger Tuomo Ruutu.

This is the kind of physicality that Leafs fans want to see from Phaneuf every night.

P.K. Subban and Brad Marchand

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand has his head down entering the attacking zone and gets absolutely crushed by Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban.

This hit is one of several notable incidents between the two young stars.

Cory Sarich and Patrick Marleau

I can't believe San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau was even able to get up after this massive hit from Calgary Flames defenseman Cory Sarich from the 2008 season.

Dion Phaneuf and Denis Hamel

Dion Phaneuf has been a big hitter throughout his career, and in 2006 with the Calgary Flames, he delivered one of the year's most crushing hits on Ottawa Senators forward Denis Hamel.

Milan Lucic and Mike Van Ryn

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic is one of the most powerful hitters in the NHL, and on this hit, he actually checks Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mike Van Ryn so hard that the pane of glass shatters upon impact.

Lucic needs to play with this kind of physicality more often.

Darcy Tucker and Sami Kapanen

Darcy Tucker of the Toronto Maple Leafs just drills Philadelphia Flyers winger Sami Kapanen with a huge hit in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2004.

Kapanen and the Flyers would score in overtime to defeat the Leafs and begin Toronto's current playoff drought.

Brenden Morrow and Milan Michalek

During the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow delivers an enormous hit on San Jose Sharks forward Milan Michalek.

It took a few minutes for Michalek to get back on his feet.

Garnet Exelby and Mats Sundin

Garnet Exelby of the Atlanta Thrashers destroys Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin with a huge hit after Sundin had just released a shot on goal.

Scott Stevens and Paul Kariya

Scott Stevens' late hit on Paul Kariya during Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final was one of the most notable hits in the New Jersey Devils defenseman's Hall of Fame career.

Stevens was not penalized or suspended for the hit.

Mike Weaver and Patrick Sharp

Mike Weaver of the St. Louis Blues just unloads on Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp with a massive hit at center ice.

Willie Mitchell and Jonathan Toews

Early in the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-winning season two years ago, captain Jonathan Toews was destroyed by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell.

It was a clean hit, and certainly one of the hardest of the 2009-10 NHL season.

Andy Sutton and Jordan Leopold

Andy Sutton plays a very physical style of hockey. In the first round of the 2009 playoffs, he delivered a huge hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jordan Leopold. However, Sutton was not suspended for this hit.

Chris Neil and Johnny Boychuk

Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil delivers a punishing hit on Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk with so much power that both players are a bit shaken after the collision.

Niklas Kronwall and Jakub Voracek

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall is one of hockey's biggest hitters, and he proves why with this punishing hit on Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek.

Kronwall was not penalized or suspended for this hit.

Dion Phaneuf and Michael Sauer

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf makes another appearance on this list. This time, he delivered a gigantic hit on New York Rangers defenseman Michael Sauer.

Sauer suffered a concussion as a result of the hit.

Brian Campbell and R.J. Umberger

During the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell demolished Philadelphia Flyers forward R.J. Umberger with a humongous hit at the blue line.

Niklas Kronwall and Martin Havlat

Niklas Kronwall delivered a crushing hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat during the 2009 Western Conference Finals and was ejected as a result.

However, he was not suspended or fined for the hit.

Marc-Andre Bergeron and Brenden Morrow

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron delivers a hard, but perfectly executed check on Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow that flips him over.

Mike Richards and Ronald Petrovicky

Philadelphia Flyers forward Mike Richards crushes Atlanta Thrashers forward Ronald Petrovicky with an enormous hit just inside the blue line.

Dennis Seidenberg and Alexander Ovechkin

During last year's playoffs, Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin tried to hit each other, and both ended up hitting the ice as a result of a huge collision.

Niklas Kronwall and Radek Bonk

Kronwall makes this list again, this time with a huge hit along the boards on Nashville Predators forward Radek Bonk during the first round of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Drew Doughty and Taylor Hall

Not only can Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty dominate a game offensively, he can also deliver crushing hits, like this one on Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall.

Colin White and Sean Avery

New Jersey Devils defenseman Colin White crushes Los Angeles Kings forward Sean Avery with a powerful hit along the boards.

Colby Armstrong and Saku Koivu

Colby Armstrong of the Pittsburgh Penguins demolishes Montreal Canadiens forward Saku Koivu with a crushing hit behind the net.