NHL Power Rankings: Sean Avery and the Loudest Player on Each Team This Year

The NHL is a place where the most talented athletes make their living doing whatever it is they do best: goaltending, playing defense, scoring goals.

And talking?

While some have honed their offensive or defensive craft over the years, the following players have talked trash for their whole careers.

These grizzled, agitating veterans have made our lives more enjoyable, and it’s about time to honor them. Enjoy!

30. Jake Dowell

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks knocks Troy Brodie #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes to the ice as Jerome Samson #71 moves in to take the puck at the United Center on March 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan D

Team: Chicago Blackhawks 

Jake Dowell can be the mouthpiece for the Blackhawks on most nights.

Dowell has picked up some points along the way during the season, but he has accepted the role as an agitator well.

The Chicago Blackhawks are fighting for their playoff lives and Dowell looks to be a helping force in that process.

29. Alex Ovechkin

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals lays a body check onto Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Im

Team: Washington Capitals 

While there may be better fighters on the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin can do some serious talking on the ice.

When he isn’t scoring goals or talking to people, he is making people mad with his hitting abilities. Ovechkin is ninth in the NHL with 234 hits.

Whether he agitates through his hitting, scoring or talking, Ovechkin has the power to infuriate opponents.

28. Theo Peckham

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 22: Theo Peckham #49 of the Edmonton Oilers checks Jordin Tootoo #22 of the Nashville Predators on March 22, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Team: Edmonton Oilers

Theo Peckham loves to make his mark on games any way he can. He can get under the opposition's skin and make them take penalties.

Peckham’s problem is that he will take bad penalties as well.

Not only is he third in the NHL with 37 minor penalties, he is ninth in the NHL in overall penalty minutes with 166.

27. Maxim Lapierre

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Maxim Lapierre #40 of the Vancouver Canucks forechecks against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on March 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Team: Vancouver Canucks 

With the evolution of Ryan Kesler from agitator to offensive specialist, the Vancouver Canucks need a talker for their squad.

They found their man in Maxim Lapierre.

While he may not be the best player on the team, he can draw penalties and get the opposition off their game with his antics.

26. Jordin Tootoo

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19: Jordin Tootoo #22 of the Nashville Predators checks Patrick Eaves #17 of the Detroit Red Wings on March 19, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Team: Nashville Predators 

Jordin Tootoo is a blue-collar player who gives 100 percent every shift he plays.

While finishing your checks and playing hard all the time will make the coach love you, it will also get under the skin of your opponents.

Tootoo doesn’t mind being the mouth of the Predators and he takes pride in laying hits for his team.

25. David Clarkson

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 30: Working his first NHL game, referee Jean Hebert #43 gives instructions to David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils in the game against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on March 30, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. Matt

Team: New Jersey Devils

For the Devils’ David Clarkson, his job is to get people off their game any way he can.

Clarkson’s 166 penalty minutes are only matched by his team-leading 162 hits.

When the Devils were making their surge for the playoffs, Clarkson was one of the unsung heroes of the team. He kept teams honest and caught a couple of teams sleeping.

24. Darcy Hordichuk

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 31: Francis Lessard #49 of the Ottawa Senators and Darcy Hordichuk #16 of the Florida Panthers fight during the first period on March 31, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Team: Florida Panthers

There isn’t much to talk about in Florida these days, but Darcy Hordichuk doesn’t mind keeping everything in order.

Hordichuk may not be the best player, but in Florida, he is a good thing for the team.

When teams come into town looking to run the Panthers over, Hordichuk lets the opposition know that that won’t be tolerated.

23. Kyle Clifford

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Kyle Clifford (R) #13 of the Los Angeles Kings throws a punch at Aaron Voros #34 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at the Honda Center on November 29, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Team: Los Angeles Kings

Kyle Clifford knows his role with the Los Angeles Kings and embraces it well.

While he is the enforcer of the team, he is also the spoon that stirs the pot.

With 126 penalty minutes and 131 hits this season for Clifford, he makes his presence known one way or another.

22. Cody McLeod

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Cody McLeod #55 of the Colorado Avalanche throws a punch at Sheldon Brookbank #21 of the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Honda Center on February 27, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Team: Colorado Avalanche

Cody McLeod is a big talker for the Colorado Avalanche.

McLeod is third in the league in penalty minutes with 184 and has plenty of minors to go with all of the majors he has. It can’t hurt his team as well as help them at times.

Whenever there is trouble during a Colorado Avalanche game, you can bet Mr. McLeod is in the middle of it all.

21. Tim Jackman

Dale MacMillan/Getty Images

EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 1: James Vandermeer #2 of the Edmonton Oilers fights Tim Jackman #15 of the Calgary Flames in second-period action at Rexall Place October 1, 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Team: Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have a real talker in Tim Jackman.

Jackman will talk when he needs to and he will fight when words won’t do the damage his hands can.

While it appears next season will be a rebuilding season for the Flames, Jackman will probably stick around to make sure everyone stays in order.

20. Zenon Konopka

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 24: Zenon Konopka #28 of the New York Islanders is restrained by linesman Brian Murphy #93 during a fight in an NHL hockey game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo b

Team: New York Islanders

Zenon Konopka is the New York Islanders' biggest squawker.

He has taken the role of protector and agitator to the extreme and leads the league in penalty minutes by far with 268.

Konopka is also tied for the league lead with 24 major penalties.

19. Justin Abdelkader

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - APRIL 25: Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes fights with Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings during Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 25, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena in Detro

Team: Detroit Red Wings

Justin Abdelkader has become the Red Wings go-to man for causing trouble.

Abdelkader loves to finish his checks and has a team-high 177 hits this season.

While Detroit isn’t the most physical team in the NHL, Abdelkader could be a really good player for the mindset of the Red Wings.

18. Cal Clutterbuck

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Cal Clutterbuck #22 of the Minnesota Wild hits Jarkko Ruutu #37 of the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Honda Center on February 25, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The Wild defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jeff

Team: Minnesota Wild

Cal Clutterbuck is a bowling ball on the ice in Minnesota.

Not only does Clutterbuck have a great NHL name, he leads the NHL with 328 hits.

And don’t think for one second he isn’t telling you about it while he smashing you into the glass.

17. Tuomo Ruutu

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 06: Tuomo Ruutu #15 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles with Kim Johnsson #5 as goaltender Josh Harding #29 of the Minnesota Wild watches a puck fly by during the third period at RBC Center on March 6, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Tuomo Ruutu has transformed his game with the Carolina Hurricanes this season.

He has added 54 points this season and has cut out a lot of the bad penalties.

Ruutu is second in the NHL with 300 hits, so his aggressive play hasn’t diminished. He's just gotten smarter.

16. David Backes

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 16: Linesman Bryan Pancich breaks up a fight between David Backes #42 of the St. Louis Blues and Lubomir Visnovsky #17 of the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on March 16, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Anaheim won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen

Team: St. Louis Blues

David Backes is a tough forward who loves to get in every aspect of the game and dominate it.

Backes has 59 points this season, has managed a plus-28 on a terrible team and has still kept his wild side intact.

While he has almost 100 penalty minutes, he has over 200 total hits and doesn’t mind going after even the biggest stars.

15. P.K. Subban

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 26: Brad Staubitz #16 of the Minnesota Wild is hit by P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on September 26, 2010 in Montreal, Canada. The Canadiens defetaed the Wild 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Image

Team: Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens not only have found a solid defender in rookie P.K. Subban, but also a born troublemaker. The rookie defender also has 37 points this season.

Subban leads the Canadiens with 120 penalty minutes and has 107 hits and 102 blocked shots to help frustrate the other team.

Besides all of the physical play that Subban adds, it’s his ability to get in his opponents' heads that makes him unique.

14. Shawn Thornton

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 18: Shawn Thornton #22 of the Boston Bruins and Darcy Hordichuk #16 of the Florida Panther exchange punches on November 18, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Team: Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins had a great season and Shawn Thornton has been a big part of the success.

Thornton protects the team and lets the opposition know that if they want to start anything they need to look no further than him.

The Bruins' yapper leads the team with 122 penalty minutes for the season and 138 hits.

13. Corey Perry

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 1: Goaltender Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers and Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks exchange words after Vokoun hit Perry in the back with his stick in an attempt to clear the crease area of the net on February 1, 2010 a

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Corey Perry is the kind of player who everyone who isn’t on his team will hate.

Perry is the agitator of the team and he uses his defensive ability to give the opposition nightmares. On top of that, he has 91 points.

So when Perry isn’t busy telling the opposition how he is going to score on them, he's actually doing it.

12. Colton Orr

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - MARCH 04: Colton Orr #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins exchange punches on March 4, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Colton Orr has played only about half the games this season, but he is still in the Top 25 in the NHL in penalty minutes.

Orr doesn’t might talking about knocking someone out before he actually does it, which doesn’t make his opponents happy.

The Maple Leafs will have a lot of decisions going forward, but Orr will be back next season to tell the opposition to keep off his star players.

11. Dustin Byfuglien

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Team: Atlanta Thrashers

Dustin Byfuglien has become one of the most complete players in the NHL this season and has really grown up.

He can play defense, play forward, score, pass and agitate. Really agitate.

The best part of a player like Byfuglien is that he can talk trash all game and score the game-winning goal against you. Nothing hurts more than getting beat like that.

10. Paul Bissonnette

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 22: Paul Bissonnette #12 of the Phoenix Coyotes fights with Tyson Strachan #33 of the St. Louis Blues during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 22, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blues 2-1. (Photo by Chri

Team: Phoenix Coyotes

When Paul Bissonnette gets into the lineup, he can be a menace on the ice. He has 71 penalties in minutes in just 45 games.

The biggest part of Bissonnette’s game is his hitting ability—he has registered 116 hits.

His attitude is evident in his play and he continues to be the mouth of the Coyotes on the ice.

9. Derek Dorsett

Mike Ridewood/Getty Images

CALGARY, AB - MARCH 4: Anton Babchuk #33 of the Calgary Flames gets his stick around Derek Dorsett #15 of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second period of NHL action on March 4, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mi

Team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Derek Dorsett has become the wild man on the Columbus Blue Jackets campus.

Whenever you see a big commotion on the ice during a Blue Jackets game, you can believe that Dorsett is involved.

Dorsett has 165 penalty minutes and has added 184 total hits this season for Columbus.

8. Patrick Kaleta

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 21: Patrick Kaleta #36 of the Buffalo Sabres yells at David Booth #10 of the Florida Panthers who is held down after a fight in the third period on October 21, 2009 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Sabres defeated

Team: Buffalo Sabres

While Patrick Kaleta has only managed to play 50 games this season, he has registered 78 penalties in minutes and 125 his.

The biggest aspect of Kaleta’s game this season has been his vocal presence on the ice.

Kaleta loves to be in the center of the action and doesn’t mind dropping the gloves when he needs to.

7. Adam Burish

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 07: Adam Burish #16 of the Dallas Stars collides with goalie Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 7, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Team: Dallas Stars

Adam Burish isn’t good for much else besides talking.

While Burish adds little offensively, he is a big-time player in the trash-talking game.

Burish has played in only 60 games this season and has managed 91 penalties in minutes, 74 hits and 69 blocked shots.

6. Ben Eager

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26: Ben Eager #55 of the San Jose Sharks warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty I

Team: San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks were looking for an edge, and they found it in Ben Eager.

Eager’s job is to agitate—plain and simple—and he takes the job as seriously as anyone. He has moved around a lot in the past few years, but he has been a nightmare for whatever team wasn’t wearing the same jersey as him. 

In 60 games this season with Atlanta and San Jose, Eager has 120 penalty minutes.

5. Steve Downie

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 05: Steve Downie #9 of the Tampa Bay Lightning sports a black eye against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 5, 2011 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Team: Tampa Bay Lighning

Steve Downie is not stable, and anyone who gets in his way is in for a world of hurt. He is always moving at 100 miles per hour and looking to land the most devastating hits.

Downie’s ability and willingness to hit anyone has gotten him into a lot of trouble, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

When Downie isn’t crushing people or being seventh in the NHL with 171 penalty minutes, he can add offensively like he has this year, with 30 points.

4. Matt Cooke

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 18: Matt Cooke #24 of the Pittsburgh Penguins reacts after hitting Peter Regin #43 of the Ottawa Senators face first into the boards for a boarding penalty during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quaterfinals during the 2010 Stanley Cu

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Cooke has been one of the most reckless players in the NHL and has a reputation like that will make people hate you.

After several suspensions, the NHL took action and suspended Cooke for the rest of the season.

While Cooke had 129 penalty minutes, one cannot fathom the time lost with his suspension.

3, Daniel Carcillo

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

LONDON, ON - SEPTEMBER 17: Andy Rogers #66 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a couple of punches from Danny Carcillo #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason game on September 17, 2009 at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. The Leafs defeated

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

With Jody Shelley missing time with a broken orbital bone, all the troublemaking falls to Daniel Carcillo.

Carcillo has a knack for getting the opposition's blood boiling and he is one of the most aggressive players in the league.

He plays extremely angry, and in only 53 games this season, he has 113 penalties in minutes and 71 hits.

2. Chris Neil

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 27: Chris Neil #25 of the Ottawa Senators hits Johnny Oduya #29 of the Atlanta Thrashers at the Philips Arena on March 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Team: Ottawa Senators

Chris Neil is the perfect troublemaker. He loves to talk trash and hit people and doesn’t mind fighting.

Neil is second in the NHL with 193 penalty minutes and is sixth in the NHL with 252 hits this season.

While Neil doesn’t add much offensively, his defensive and troublemaking abilities are second to one.

1. Sean Avery

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 09: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers chats with Flyer fans during warmups prior to his game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 9, 2008 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/G

Team: New York Rangers

Sean Avery is the king of talking. If talking was a sport in itself, Avery would be the greatest of all time.

Avery is sixth in the NHL with 174 penalties in minutes and has added 113 hits to further agitate his opponents.

While Avery claims to have calmed down, he is still one of the biggest yappers on the ice and the numbers show that he is as physical as he’s ever been.