Before you say it, I know the Colorado Avalanche, like most NHL teams, aren’t going to employ a true enforcer. Yes, enforcers have gone the way of the dodo bird, and it’s probably for the best.
However, teams do employ lower-skilled forwards with gritty tendencies. These players are big and mean, but they can also pot in a few goals. The best of them reach Tom Wilson status — good at scoring and whupping your butt.
It would be nice if Valeri Nichushkin found that balance. However, oddly enough, it’s the skill that’s lacking in his game.