Today's NHL differs a lot from the game we have seen in recent decades. During the 90's and early-to-mid 2000's, and even long before, the league was mostly about who was the roughest and toughest. Yes, there was a lot of skill, but up until the last 10 years, many teams still employed full-time enforcers.
Now, the game is largely centered around speed and skill. Yes, there's still a physical element to the game, but the days of showing up to a game expecting to see at least one fight or some nasty physical altercations are dwindling.
Players like Anaheim's Trevor Zegras have benefitted greatly from the reduction in physical punishment and have used the extra time, space and freedom to their advantage. Not only have we seen plays like "The Michigan" begin to be injected into the game, but Zegras and former teammate Sonny Milano even connected on this unique play that some are referring to as the "Dishigan".
Well, needless to say, some former NHLers aren't too keen about the high-skill movement - especially the cockiness that's involved. We've seen NHL coach John Tortorella publicly condemn the flashy new style. Now a former NHLer has come out and addressed his distaste for Zegras as a player.
Retired NHLer Brent Sopel revealed this week that if he had the chance to play against Zegras, he'd "take a two-hander to his teeth and love every second of it". Needless to say, Zegras didn't seem too concerned when he heard the comments. After he heard Sopel's comments, Zegras took to Twitter to respond, joking "always remember the 5 D's of dodgeball", like the 2004 Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughan movie. Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.
