Columbus, Ohio — The NHL has changed, and Columbus coach John Tortorella noted last week the league has become a "hugfest," without the aggression that teams and rival players used to have for each other.
For the better, or not? That’s a person’s opinion, giving the more emphasis on skating and playmaking, and less on fighting and hitting.
But it has changed. And for a player like Luke Witkowski, whose career has mainly revolved around his willingness to protect teammates with his physical style, it can be a struggle.
“That helped me get into the NHL,” Witkowski said.