NHL Preseason Fights to Look Forward to in 2011

The NHL preseason has already gotten underway, with rookie games beginning on Sept. 10. The first official NHL exhibition games are on Sept.19.

September is the month in which many players attempt to prove their worth at hockey's highest level. Among the players are longtime AHL enforcers and youthful tough guys, all of which desire to finally make a mark at the NHL level.

The low stakes of exhibition games allow for this physical play to take place.

In addition to the prospective fighters who will drop their gloves, tenured NHL players may take advantage of the opportunity to settle past issues.

According to DropYourGloves.com, last year's preseason averaged 1.43 fights per game, while the regular season averaged just 0.56 fights per game.

This year's preseason schedule is highlighted by many key possibilities.

Francis Lessard vs. Jay Rosehill (Sept. 19)

The Battle of Ontario is a firecracker for intense battles.

Over the past two seasons, Colton Orr of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators have highlighted the rivalry's fight series, but this past season, Jay Rosehill and Francis Lessard took the cake with this beautiful fight.

Carkner will be ready to go next season, but Orr's status is uncertain. The Maple Leafs enforcer is suffering the effects of a head injury sustained last season in a fight against George Parros of the Anaheim Ducks.

With Orr out, Rosehill is Toronto's most likely combatant. Aside from Lessard, Chris Neil is his best matchup.

Lessard and Rosehill have fought five times before; expect them to continue.

David Koci vs. Jared Boll (Sept. 20)

David Koci's purpose as a player is clear and very limited. The 6'6", 240-pounder is an enforcer looking to keep an NHL job this season with a late-summer invite to the Winnipeg Jets camp.

He'll have to drop his gloves and prove he would be a useful replacement of Eric Boulton, who chose not to remain with the franchise after the relocation from Atlanta.

Jared Boll was third in fighting majors last season with 23. He is a willing combatant and would likely oblige Koci's request.

Todd Fedoruk vs. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (Sept. 20)

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond has only played in 37 NHL games in his career and likely desires to prove his worth as a top-level enforcer.

Last year with the AHL's Albany Devils, Leblond put on an impressive 26-fight display, including decisive wins over notable fighters such as Jesse Boulerice, Jon Mirasty, Matt Clackson and Tom Sestito.

Now with Calgary, Leblond's job opening is due to the absence of Raitis Ivanans, who has yet to play a game since being knocked out by Steve MacIntyre on opening night of last season.

Calgary lacks an enforcer, and the preseason is Leblond's opportunity to shine.

Todd Fedoruk used to be one of the NHL's top fighters with the Philadelphia Flyers in the early 2000's.

Then, Derek Boogaard broke his face.

Then, Colton Orr knocked him out.

Then, Fedoruk played for four different teams over four different seasons before missing all of last season.

Fedoruk comes to the Vancouver Canucks with hopes of continuing his hockey career. The Canucks are in desperate need of toughness, and if Fedoruk is to fill that void, he'll have to prove himself.

This fight would present an opportunity for both men to show their worth.

Eric Boulton vs. Mike Rupp, Cam Janssen vs. Brandon Prust (Sept. 21 and 23)

Last season, the NHL's Atlantic Division became loads tougher due to the acquisition of several players.

The Philadelphia Flyers added Jody Shelley and Sean O'Donnell. The New York Rangers added Derek Boogaard. Later in the season, the New York Islanders saw the emergence of Trevor Gillies, much like the Pittsburgh Penguins were with the addition of Deryk Engelland.

This season, the division got even tougher. The New Jersey Devils signed two enforcers, Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen, whereas the Penguis added the league's best fighter, Steve MacIntyre.

If Boulton and Rupp fight, it would be their fourth, whereas a Janssen-Prust battled would be the duo's sixth fight.

Shawn Thornton vs. Matt Carkner (Sept, 21 and 29)

If the respective heavyweights of the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins find an opportunity to fight, it will be their fifth in the past two years.

John Scott vs. Steve MacIntyre (Sept. 22 and 30)

John Scott is 6'8" and weighs 260 pounds. Though he's yet to fight the league's most elite fighters, he has done very well against some notable opponents such as Kevin Westgarth and Cam Janssen.

Steve MacIntyre is 6' 6" and weighs 260 pounds. He has proven himself against the league's elite fighters and likely has the hardest punch in the NHL right now.

These two huge men have to potential to produce a frightening battle.

Trevor Gillies vs. Shawn Thornton (Sept. 23)

Both of these men are their team's best fighter and primary enforcer. Both of them love to fight and work very hard at being good at it.

If either issues a challenge, the other will likely accept. Including the AHL, these two have fought four times already

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond vs. Darcy Hordichuk (Sept. 24 and 25)

Another opportunity for Leblond to earn his spot on Calgary's roster.

Hordichuk will be playing for the Edmonton Oilers this season, replacing the neglected Steve MacIntyre. The 31-year-old Hordichuk has maintained an NHL job for several seasons, and is always willing to fight.

Trevor Gillies vs. Eric Boulton/Cam Janssen (Sept. 24 and 30)

Gillies has fought Janssen once before, but would be willing to go with either of the Devils' new enforcers.

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Sept. 25 and 26)

After last season's rivalry, who knows what ridiculous events will continue to occur between these two teams.

Zdeno Chara destroyed Max Pacioretty's season.

Milan Lucic hammered Jaroslav Spacek into the boards.

Even Tim Thomas and Carey Price pretended to fight before the two teams met in the playoffs.

George Parros vs. Kevin Westgarth (Sept. 25 and 30)

The two Los Angeles-area enforcers have fought five times so far, and will likely go again this season.

Zac Rinaldo vs. Sean Avery (Sept. 26)

Last season, in a game on Jan. 16, 2011 a scrum developed between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.

Matt Walker and Brandon Prust were ready to fight when Kris Newbury of the Rangers jumped in on Walker. This caused a full-team scrum during which Sean Avery of the Rangers decided to prove he was an immensely brave man.

Matt Carle of the Flyers was not involved in the scrum. He is not a physical player and had never been in an NHL fight. Avery grabbed him and forced him to fight, and after Carle went to the ice, Avery continued punching him.

Later in the game, Jody Shelley challenged Avery to a fight, which Avery literally skated away from.

The Flyers could not find an appropriate opportunity for revenge last season.

During the playoffs, when the Flyers needed additional toughness, they dressed Zac Rinaldo, who tied for the AHL's lead in fighting majors.

Now, Rinaldo has a good chance to replace Dan Carcillo as a fourth-line winger due to his speed and forechecking skills.

With aims to prove his worth to the team, Rinaldo might be the one to show no care for instigator penalties and suspensions and give Avery what he deserves.

Jody Shelley vs. Mike Rupp (Sept. 26)

Contrary to Avery's cowardly demeanor, new teammate Mike Rupp is very willing to fight Jody Shelley and will likely do so again.

Trevor Gillies vs. Pierre-Luc Letourneau Leblond (Sept. 27)

Yet another opportunity for Leblond to show he's worth a Flames roster spot.

Eric Godard vs. Nolan Yonkman (Sept. 27 and 29)

Eric Godard is one of the league's best enforcers and will be attempting to take that job away from Krys Barch with the Dallas Stars this season.

Nolan Yonkman has seen very little NHL playing time, and is not a very good or prolific fighter.

However, at 6'6" and weighing 250 pounds, Yonkman may attempt to fill that role with the Florida Panthers.

Jody Shelley vs. Eric Boulton/Cam Janssen (Sept. 29)

Shelley has fought Boulton twice, Janssen three times.

With both opponents now in the same division, those numbers should increase.