Great Brandon Prust Article

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Disclaimer: those who hate fighting, tough guys will hate it so no need to read the article. http://www.theplayerstribune.com/why-we-fight/

He talks about how he became a tough guy, the code and that sometimes emotions are getting the best of him even against some of his best buddies like King Henrik and Stepan.

At the end Prust gives a nice incite on what goes on the day before a fight.. He doesn't sleep much, still fears the opponent and when the day comes he prefers his fights early to get it out of the way. The best part is probably him talking about rats and what he thinks of guys that are going after skilled and smaller players.

Edited February 4, 2015 by frankgrimes

[_SP_ 129]

Very good article. Insightful, yet well-written. I like how he was modest and human, showing he too is not some robotic goon without feelings or a brain.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Nice article.

Prust is one of those players that can hit, fight and occasionally score. Seems like a good teammate and leader.

Basically the kind of guy Holland and Babcock don't want on this team from their past moves and their treatment of Tootoo. It's not just them not liking an enforcer who can't score. They don't really go after the Prust type players either.

[martinezsvsu 240]

Nice article.

Prust is one of those players that can hit, fight and occasionally score. Seems like a good teammate and leader.

Basically the kind of guy Holland and Babcock don't want on this team from their past moves and their treatment of Tootoo. It's not just them not liking an enforcer who can't score. They don't really go after the Prust type players either.

Fourth liner or not, I dont think babe wants any of our players in the box for 5 minutes

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Nice article.

Prust is one of those players that can hit, fight and occasionally score. Seems like a good teammate and leader.

Basically the kind of guy Holland and Babcock don't want on this team from their past moves and their treatment of Tootoo. It's not just them not liking an enforcer who can't score. They don't really go after the Prust type players either.

Yep when I think of Hockey Players Prust is one of the guys who immediately comes in mind he is tough, humble, honest, physical and a great leader. Every hockey team would be better with such players on their team.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I love Pruster and wished he was on our team.

[TheXym 2,606]

Great article. Thanks for sharing the link. I'd be perfectly fine if Prust wore the Winged Wheel.

[sputman 1,268]

I like fighting. I miss the days when if we were losing 5-1 somebody would give the fans something to cheer for.

But Prust himself admits that he's out to run people. The only difference between he and a rat is that he'll fight. His job essentially is protecting his team from people like himself.

​Rats are the guys who show zero respect for opponents. They’ll go after the top skill player and take runs at goalies and then won’t answer the bell when it comes time to fight.

In my head I’m thinking, How am I going to run him (Lundqvist) without getting a penalty?

[frankgrimes 1,836]

The difference is guys like Prust only think about something like that but the Rinaldos, Cookes and Torres of the world are actually doing it.

Will someone like Prust deliver devastating hits? Sure but he is going to back it up against other tough guys. His job is to keep the other team honest and given his 2.5 cap hit he is damn good at it

Prust is the type of guy who will fight just to give the team some energy and the fans something to cheer for even if they are down 3:0 like he mentioned

Edited February 5, 2015 by frankgrimes

[MabusIncarnate 5,359]

I'm a fan of guys like this, Chris Neil, Cal Clutterbuck (not so much a fighter but man does he hit), guys who have a strong physical presence but actually have a bit of offensive skill and can put up a few points per season unlike guys like Konopka. Clutterbuck was the short handed point leader on the Wild 2 straight seasons I believe, was great on the PK, and still showed the ability to put up some points.

I think he makes a good point, that if you eliminate fighting from the game, it takes the fear out of players a bit more to lay out hard hits and cheap shots to other players when the only risk is a fine and/or suspension opposed to getting your face bashed in and answering for the physical output they inflicted.

I also respect the drive, it's like any job, if you aren't succeeding in a certain role, take on a different one and see if you can improve your value and make your presence known by gaining more tools. Guys like Prust dig in hard, give it their all every night because if they don't, they risk potentially losing their spot to someone else that can contribute more.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Yeah and we are already seeing rats like Rinaldo acting tough against guys like Letang would he do the same thing if they still had Engelland? Maybe but then he would smash his face.

The day a Super star gets hurt by a rat week be the day when guys with passion are going to be back.

Hockey for sure is better with players like Prust.

Also love the site great incite on what's going on in the life of pros

[number9 3,297]

Yeah and we are already seeing rats like Rinaldo acting tough against guys like Letang would he do the same thing if they still had Engelland? Maybe but then he would smash his face. The day a Super star gets hurt by a rat week be the day when guys with passion are going to be back. Hockey for sure is better with players like Prust. Also love the site great incite on what's going on in the life of pros

Rinaldo was just defending Giroux, try not to make ur PIT fandom that obvious

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I'm a fan of guys like this, Chris Neil, Cal Clutterbuck (not so much a fighter but man does he hit), guys who have a strong physical presence but actually have a bit of offensive skill and can put up a few points per season unlike guys like Konopka. Clutterbuck was the short handed point leader on the Wild 2 straight seasons I believe, was great on the PK, and still showed the ability to put up some points.

I think he makes a good point, that if you eliminate fighting from the game, it takes the fear out of players a bit more to lay out hard hits and cheap shots to other players when the only risk is a fine and/or suspension opposed to getting your face bashed in and answering for the physical output they inflicted.

I also respect the drive, it's like any job, if you aren't succeeding in a certain role, take on a different one and see if you can improve your value and make your presence known by gaining more tools. Guys like Prust dig in hard, give it their all every night because if they don't, they risk potentially losing their spot to someone else that can contribute more.

Great post!

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Fantastic read. Prust is awesome, great team guy and a solid penalty killer. Thanks for sharing.

[FifeHockeyNut 57]

Great article, I'm not a fan of fighting but always good to gain an insight in the need for it in the eyes of the guys who make a living from it.

[Learn2LuvIt 246]

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

As I read the paragraph regarding "rats", a question came up in my mind and wanted to get opinions. Is Franzen a rat?

I often see Franzen (when he DOES play) chirping after the whistle, glove washing guys, the low cross-check while in close, etc....seems like he always has a LOT to say, and stirs it up...but never fights. Just curious how others weigh in on this.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

As I read the paragraph regarding "rats", a question came up in my mind and wanted to get opinions. Is Franzen a rat?

I often see Franzen (when he DOES play) chirping after the whistle, glove washing guys, the low cross-check while in close, etc....seems like he always has a LOT to say, and stirs it up...but never fights. Just curious how others weigh in on this.

I believe Prust is talking about guys like Cooke, Torres, Laperierre, Marchand...

[WeBleedRed 8]

Went to school with him, and am friends with a former team mate of his. He is a nice guy though and through. I'd love to have him on Detroit. He's the type of guy who works for his minutes, and isn't pissy if he doesn't get them. Grit, and being stable in the mind (180 of someone like avery).

Edited February 10, 2015 by WeBleedRed

[number9 3,297]

Went to school with him, and am friends with a former team mate of his. He is a nice guy though and through. I'd love to have him on Detroit. He's the type of guy who works for his minutes, and isn't pissy if he doesn't get them. Grit, and being stable in the mind (180 of someone like avery).

I love Sean Avery. The guy is endlessly entertaining.

I also love that Detroit got rid of him though too.