The 5 Most Pesky Players That Can Also Score Currently Playing in the NHL

Adj.

pesky - causing irritation or annoyance; "tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork"; "aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport"; "found it galling to have to ask permission"; "an irritating delay"; "nettlesome paperwork"; "a pesky mosquito"; "swarms of pestering gnats"; "a plaguey newfangled safety catch"; "a teasing and persiste - not to your liking; "a disagreeable situation"

* pesky as defined by: The Free Dictionary

There you have it.  The main word that I associate "pesky" with is irritating.  

These five players are the most irritating yet talented players currently playing in the NHL.  They buzz around like mosquitoes, and the most annoying part of their game is that they can actually score.   

They all know how to get under their opponents' skin AND light the lamp, which make them even more of a pain in the neck.  

They are the guys you love to hate.  They annoy you as a spectator so you can imagine how annoying they can be to play against.  

This list is compiled of five of the biggest pesks playing in the NHL that possess scoring ability.  Please feel free to put them in order via the comment section.  I'm just throwing the names out there and hoping for a good open discussion.

Sean Avery

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on October 23, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rangers won 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

He's the modern day Matthew Barnaby.  He loves to talk, but we hate to listen. He even has the nerve to think people care about his sex life. 

Daniel Carcillo

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ST PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Dan Carcillo #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers shouts during the game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on September 25, 2010 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Being a Flyers fan, I love the guy.  But if I had to watch him play in another jersey, I'd surely hate him. He's the worst kind of pesk: The kind that can actually play hockey and draw penalties which pisses you off even more.

Steve Downie

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 14: Steve Downie #9 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

A pesk with a short fuse.  He also has some skills up his sleeve.  

Scott Hartnell

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JUNE 06: Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores a goal in the second period against Antti Niemi #31 of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Five of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on June 6, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois

Ask any goalie who the biggest pesk in the league is and they'll tell you it's Scott Hartnell.  He's a modern day Tim Kerr that lives in the crease and annoys his opponents.  He recently donated his red mop to "Locks of Love."  

Dustin Byfuglien

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 22: Dominic Moore #19 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is penalized for taking a dive as he skates over the stick of Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrasher at Philips Arena on October 22, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Co

Pesk 101.  I can't stand the guy and I'm sure I'm not alone.  He has talent and knows how to make your skin crawl.