NHL Predictions: Guessing the 15 Players with the Most Fighting Majors in 2012

Fighting is one of the most exciting parts of the NHL, and is one of the moments that gets the crowd out of their seats.

Whether a fight is fought for payback, to send a message or just because two guys wanna go at it, it's part of the game and has helped the sport earn its violent reputation.

Let's take a look at the 15 players who will lead the league in fighting majors this season (video included).

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35

Honorable Mention, Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic is one of the toughest players in the NHL, and one of the best fighters.

However, because he has become such a good offensive player, he needs to be on the ice and not in the penalty box.

Thus, he doesn't fight as much as he used to, which isn't bad since he scored 30 goals last season for Boston.

Lucic will still participate in his fair share of fights this season.

Shawn Thornton

Shawn Thornton's veteran leadership and physical play turned the Stanley Cup Finals in Boston's favor last season.

He led the Bruins in fighting majors last season, and finished 10th in the league least season.

Fun fact: He and Daniel Carcillo were the first two players to fight in a Winter Classic when they fought in 2010.

Colton Orr

Colton Orr is one of the toughest players in hockey. He had 13 fighting majors last season, which was a small number for him. 

He's also not afraid to go after the biggest players in the league, as evidenced by this heavyweight bout with Lucic.

Cam Janssen

Cam Janssen is one tough guy, and this bout with Krys Barch last season was pretty epic.

He tied for sixth last season with 17 fighting majors.

Brandon Prust

Brandon Prust brought a little more toughness when he was acquired by the New York Rangers from Calgary via trade a few years ago.

Not only does he have size and strength, he knows how to fight. 

Prust tied for fourth last season with 18 fighting majors.

Adam McQuaid

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid had 12 fighting majors last season despite not getting significant playing time for most of the regular season.

Since he played so well in the playoffs, he will have a bigger role on the Bruins this season—thus, he will fight more.

According to Pierre McGuire, McQuaid is "one tough hombre."

George Parros

George Parros led the NHL last season with 27 fighting majors, and among the top 10 in fighting majors, he led everyone with .35 fights per game.

No NHL player has fought more in the past six seasons than Parros.

Zenon Konopka

Zenon Konopka will make the Ottawa Senators a much tougher team this season, and this bout with Daniel Carcillo last season was one of the best of the year.

Konopka was second in the NHL last season with 25 fighting majors.

He led the NHL with 307 penalty minutes last season.

Jared Boll

Jared Boll is one of the enforcers on the Columbus Blue Jackets, and was third in the NHL last season with 23 fighting majors.

He also had .32 fights per game.

Kyle Clifford

Kyle Clifford of the Los Angeles Kings tied with Brandon Prust for fourth in the NHL last season with 18 fighting majors.

He had 19 total majors on the season.

Derek Dorsett

Derek Dorsett got owned in the video I've provided, but he's still a good fighter and not afraid to drop the gloves at any time.

He tied for sixth in fighting majors last season with 17 of them.

Cody McCormick

Cody McCormick has a role on the Buffalo Sabres, and that's to protect his players and create energy for his team when they need an emotional lift.

With his fighting ability, it's easy for him to do that.

Daniel Carcillo

Daniel Carcillo will add some toughness to the Chicago Blackhawks this season and certainly gave the Philadelphia Flyers fans all the excitement they wanted with many fights during his tenure in Philly.

Carcillo had 13 fighting majors last season, and is always an annoying player that you want to fight at some point in a game.

Don Cherry isn't a fan of Carcillo, though.

Jody Shelley

Jody Shelley had 12 fighting majors last season, and is not afraid to go with any NHL heavyweight.

Shelley boosts the energy of his team with these fights, win or lose. 

B.J. Crombeen

B.J. Crombeen tied for sixth last season with 17 fighting majors, and as seen in the video, he enjoys heavyweight bouts with people like Jared Boll.

He accumulated 154 penalty minutes last year.

Brad Staubitz

Brad Staubitz has 15 fighting majors last season, good for 10th in the NHL. 

He also accumulated 173 penalty minutes.