Posted: Thursday January 26, 2006 6:34PM
Tom Layberger
© Sports Illustrated
Here's my list of the NHL's all-time biggest pests
With the NHL's new rule book promoting more end-to-end action, there has been less fighting and fewer opportunities with which to get an opponent off his game. That's not to say the role of the pest has gone the way of Garth Snow's shoulder pads. Rather, today's agitator must keep up with the play -- and his running mouth -- lest he find himself commuting between minor league outposts.
While our list of top 10 agitators ranges from a Hall of Famer to an active player with less than 250 career NHL games, no doubt most candidates are far more familiar with the penalty box than adoring fan mail. In other words, regardless of when they played, these are the types of players opponents loathe and teammates love.
1. Claude Lemieux
1983-2003
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 1,197
GOALS: 379
ASSISTS: 406
PENALTY MINUTES: 1,756
Career: 1983-2003 (Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix, Dallas)
Often referred to as the game's ultimate pest, the incessant needler and rugged forward made blood boil -- and often overflow. The pummeling Lemieux took at the hands of Darren McCarty in the 1996 playoffs (retribution for Lemieux's vicious hit on Kris Draper) was punishment many felt was long overdue.
2. Esa Tikkanen
1984-99
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 877
GOALS: 244
ASSISTS: 386
PENALTY MINUTES: 1,077
Career: 1984-99 (Edmonton, NY Rangers, St. Louis, New Jersey, Vancouver, Florida, Washington)
As if Wayne Gretzky & Co. needed any help in Edmonton, Tikkanen often engaged the opposition to the point of opening up the ice for the likes of the Great One and Jari Kurri. It did not take long for the hard-driving Finn to become a fan favorite -- and Enemy No. 1 of those in the other sweater.
3. Ken Linseman
1978-92
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 860
GOALS: 256
ASSISTS: 551
PENALTY MINUTES: 1,727
Career: 1978-92 (Philadelphia, Edmonton, Boston, Toronto)
The "Rat" made sure to get in the first and last shots while distracting his opponent up and down the ice. Linseman's antics often resulted in only the retaliatory infraction being called, further incensing his targets -- who often spent the rest of the game preoccupied with trying to get even.
4. Sean Avery
2001-present
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 213
GOALS: 27
ASSISTS: 47
PENALTY MINUTES: 660
(through Jan. 25, 2006)
Career: 2001-present (Detroit, Los Angeles)
The active King Pest, Avery has been accused of spewing derogatory remarks on more than one occasion. He's making so many friends that Nashville's Darcy Hordichuk suggested Avery's own teammates want to pummel him. Avery has been called a chicken and a cheap-shot artist, but he's always taking somebody off the ice with him.
5. Tie Domi
1989-present
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 989
GOALS: 103
ASSISTS: 138
PENALTY MINUTES: 3,461
(through Jan. 25, 2006)
Career: 1989-present (Toronto, NY Rangers, Winnipeg)
While his ability to give and take punches will forever be the stuff of legend, Domi's big head (on a 5-10 frame) and childish grin make him seem like a rather annoying cartoon character. Opposing enforcers do not find any humor when taking a fist to the noggin -- or when Domi goads them into dropping the mitts, then opts to turtle.
6. Matthew Barnaby
1992-present
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 762
GOALS: 109
ASSISTS: 172
PENALTY MINUTES: 2,380
(through Jan. 25, 2006)
Career: 1992-present (Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, NY Rangers, Colorado, Chicago)
Barnaby has a knack for laughing at the most peculiar times, further prompting catcalls. Even after pestering an opponent into a healthy bout, he continues to agitate on his way to the penalty box. It's no wonder he is one of the most hated players in the league.
7. Bobby Clarke
1969-84
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 1,144
GOALS: 358
ASSISTS: 852
PENALTY MINUTES: 1,453
Career: 1969-84 (Philadelphia)
After getting under the skin of an opposing player and drawing a penalty, Clarke usually assisted on the ensuing power-play goal. If an opponent took exception to Clarke's tactics and sought to even the score, he was usually greeted by a band of Broad Street Bullies. So, it was usually a lose-lose situation for the guys in the opposite jersey.
 8. Tyson Nash
1998-present
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 349
GOALS: 27
ASSISTS: 34
PENALTY MINUTES: 643
(through Jan. 25, 2006)
Career: 1998-present (St. Louis, Phoenix)
The 247th pick in the 1997 draft, Nash paid his dues by spending four years in the minors. For the past six seasons, this ball of energy has been making opponents pay the price with constant badgering, face washes and finished checks. Nary a shift goes by without him trying to rattle somebody's nerves.
9. Pat Verbeek
1982-2001
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 1,424
GOALS: 522
ASSISTS: 541
PENALTY MINUTES: 2,905
Career: 1982-01 (New Jersey, Hartford, NY Rangers, Dallas, Detroit)
He wasn't called the Little Ball of Hate because he topped 1,000 career points. His endless array of hooks, jabs, slashes and wise cracks complemented his offensive prowess. 'Beeker truly was a player the opposition loved to hate. Opposing players had to take inventory after the game to make sure they still had each of their digits.
10. Tony Leswick
1945-58
NHL TOTALS
GAMES: 740
GOALS: 165
ASSISTS: 159
PENALTY MINUTES: 900
Career: 1945-58 (NY Rangers, Detroit, Chicago)
Small (5-7) even by the standard of his era, "Mighty Mouse" was the super pest of the Original Six. There were plenty of hard feelings and seemingly endless blood-stained run-ins with the likes of superior talents Maurice Richard and (before becoming his teammate) Gordie Howe.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Theoren Fleury (1988-03); Darius Kasparaitis (1992-present); Ian Laperriere (1993-present); Darcy Tucker (1995-present); Tiger Williams (1974-88).
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