🏒 Which NHL Team Has Fought The Most In the Last Four Years?

fTo determine the NHL’s rowdiest teams and players, BonusFinder.com, America’s leading casino bonus and online casino review site, gathered data on fights and penalty minutes from the past four seasons.

This post will break down the data, reveal which teams lead the league in fights, and highlight the individuals who are never afraid to stand up (and throw down) for their teammates.

NHL’s Rowdiest Teams – Most Fights

In the NHL, some teams have made a name for themselves not just through their skillful play but by bringing an extra edge to the ice. Over the past four seasons, certain teams have consistently found themselves leading the league in fights, showcasing their grit and determination in every scrum. Let’s see how each of the league’s 32 teams rank.

Leading the pack as the rowdiest NHL team in of fights is the Nashville Predators. Known for their physical play, the Predators have been involved in a total of 133 fights across four seasons (2020/21-2023/24). Having played a total of 334 games during the regular and post-seasons, the Predators have been involved in a fight in more than one out of every three games (0.398).

Following closely behind are the Anaheim Ducks, a team that consistently leans into their tough reputation. Over the past 302 games, the California-based squad has been involved in a total of 109 fights against their opponents. This averages out to 0.361 fights per game, underscoring their consistent physicality on the ice.

Next up are the Minnesota Wild, whose physicality has also made waves in recent seasons. With a total of 335 games played, the Wild have dropped the gloves 120 times, averaging 0.358 fights per game.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning round out the top five, with both teams embracing the spirit of aggressive play and physicality.

With an average of 0.357 fights per game, the Ottawa Senators took fourth place, while the Tampa Bay Lightning placed fifth with an average of 0.335 fights per game.

As we move further down the rankings, teams like the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Rangers also show a strong willingness to engage physically, keeping up the tradition of intense rivalries and ionate play.

Rounding up the top 10 were San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights, whose fight totals and average fights per game are significantly lower.

NHL’s Rowdiest Teams – Most Penalty Minutes

While fights may grab the headlines, penalty minutes (PIM) offer a broader glimpse into the physicality and discipline – or lack thereof – that a team brings to the ice. In this section, we’ll break down the NHL’s unruly teams based on their total penalty minutes, offering insight into what drives their style of play and the impact it has on their performance.

Accumulating a staggering 4,379 penalty minutes across 375 games from 2020 to 2024, the Florida Panthers top the list of the most penalty minutes and the highest average penalty minutes per game (11.68 PIM per game).

Following closely are the Anaheim Ducks with 3,296 penalty minutes across 302 games, averaging 10.91 PIM per game.

The now inactive Arizona Coyotes come in third, accumulating 3,202 PIM over 303 games (an average of 10.57 PIM per game).

Other teams rounding out the top ranks include the Tampa Bay Lightning with 4,054 PIM across 385 games (averaging 10.53 PIM per game), and the Minnesota Wild, who recorded 3,495 PIM over 335 games, averaging 10.43 PIM per game.

Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights ranked as the cleanest teams when it comes to penalty minutes.

NHL’s Dirtiest Players – Most Fights

When it comes to the NHL’s toughest players, there are those who are always ready to drop the gloves and engage in the roughest of brawls. Let’s see which of the league’s biggest enforcers have racked up the most fights in recent seasons.

At the top of this list is Philadelphia Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers, with a staggering 43 fights. Known for his gritty, no-nonsense approach to the game, Deslauriers has built a reputation as one of the toughest players in the league.

Following second is Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot, who has racked up 36 fights over the past four seasons. A relentless competitor, Jeannot’s aggressive style and fearless attitude have made him a regular figure in the penalty box.

Alongside him, with 33 fights each, are Florida Panthers’ Jonah Gadjovich and Austin Watson, who now plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL.

Next up are Utah Hockey Club’s Liam O’Brien and New York Rangers’ Sam Carrick, who have engaged in 32 and 31 fights, respectively.

With 29 fights each, seventh and eight place on the list went to Minnesota Wild’s Marcus Foligno and Ottawa Senators’ Zack MacEwen. Rounding up the top 10 are Montreal Canadiens’ Michael Pezzetta with 28 fights, and Columbus Blues Jackets’ Mathieu Olivier with 27 fights.

NHL’s Dirtiest Players – Most Penalty Minutes

When it comes to players who consistently rack up penalty minutes, these individuals take the cake for playing with an edge that often crosses the line.

Topping the list for most penalty minutes over the past four seasons is Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Maroon with a total of 507 penalty minutes. Known for his physical, sometimes abrasive style, Maroon has made a career out of mixing it up on the ice, using his size and toughness to impose his will on opponents.

Following in second and third place are the feared brothers, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. Matthew, the older of the two and the alternate captain of the Florida Panthers, has racked up a total of 459 penalty minutes (1.3 per game), while Brady, who is the captain of Ottawa Senators, logged 446 penalty minutes (1.5 per game).

Rounding up the top 5 are two of the NHL’s most skilled agitators, Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson and Liam O’Brien, with 427 and 413 penalty minutes, respectively.

NHL’s Dirtiest Players – Most Penalty Minutes Per Game

When examining the NHL’s dirtiest players, it’s not just about how many penalty minutes they rack up, but how frequently they find themselves in the box. These players consistently average the highest number of penalty minutes per game, making their presence felt in a way that often goes beyond the typical rough play.

Leading the pack is Nashville Predators’ Mark Borowiecki, who has earned a reputation as one of the league’s toughest and most aggressive players. Over the course of 85 games, Borowiecki has accumulated a remarkable 201 penalty minutes, averaging 2.36 penalty minutes per game.

Close behind is Liam O’Brien, who has played 182 games and accumulated 413 penalty minutes, averaging 2.27 penalty minutes per game. Jonah Gadjovich follows closely with 118 games played and 252 penalty minutes, averaging 2.14 penalty minutes per game.

Montreal Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj comes in next with 95 games played and 182 penalty minutes, averaging 1.91 penalty minutes per game.

Taking fifth place with 128 games played and 233 penalty minutes, is Anaheim Ducks’ Ross Johnston.

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Methodology

To determine which NHL teams and players have fought the most over the past four seasons, BonusFinder.com gathered data from Hockeyfights.com. The data examined included both regular season and playoffs of 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Penalty minutes and games played were sourced from NHL.com and included both regular season and playoffs of 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24.