The role of the enforcer is continuing to vanish in the National Hockey League.
The New York Rangers announced they’ve placed forward Tanner Glass on waivers, effectively ending his tenure with the club.
After scoring a career high 16 points with the Winnipeg Jets in 2013-14, Rangers general manager Glen Sather added Glass on an inexplicably bad three-year deal worth $1.45 million per season. It wasn’t a crippling contract, but with the Rangers cap issues, it was a long guarantee for a player as limited as Glass.
Glass hasn’t proved his doubters wrong. He’s scored just one in 87 games with New York, and has had fans begging for his designation to the minors almost as soon as he first stepped on the ice. New Rangers general manager Jeff Norton, an analytically inclined thinker, didn’t wait long to cut ties with the face-puncher, as it frees roster space for players with skill and most importantly takes Glass off the ice all together.
Glass is the latest in a long line of fighters being sent to the minors, even with money left on their contracts. Teams can’t afford to waste a roster spot on a player who can only fight. Fighting has gone considerably down in the NHL over the last 10 years (to a league low 0.32 in 2014-15) and that’s a trend which is likely to continue. It’s why Bruins fans were stunned to see Zac Rinaldo get a three-year deal, or Canucks fans were shocked to see Derek Dorsett get a long-term deal – although those players are better than Glass (literally every player in the NHL is).
Team’s aren’t icing enforcers anymore. You used to see full fourth lines filled with face punchers, but now, you’re lucky if you see one dressed a night. Look at a recent survey of teams lined and enforcers used by Garret Hohl. There are some small errors on the list, but the point still stands.
https://twitter.com/GarretHohl/status/655905565382578176
Fourth lines are now what they should be – filled with tough players who can also chip in offensively or defensively. Fighting may always be part of the game, but as is evident with players like Glass, the role of enforcer will not be.
