In their most recent 2024 survey, The Athletic explored the fascinating topic of which NHL player is most desired to be punched in the face by others. Anticipations were strong that Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins would receive this questionable distinction, yet an unexpected development occurred.
Instead of Marchand, Nick Cousins from the Florida Panthers clinched the leading position as the player most sought after for a punch by fellow NHL members. Feedback from players expressed a deep-rooted aversion to Cousins, characterizing him as a person they've "consistently despised" and foreseeing that he would attract a significant number of votes.
Although players recognized Marchand's ongoing potential for such a title, Cousins overwhelmingly led the poll with 28.57%, in contrast to Marchand's 14.97%.
Although Marchand maintains his notorious status, Cousins has drawn significant notice this season, drawing parallels to ex-NHL defenseman Raffi Torres and even receiving the moniker "rat" from Sportsnet commentator Kevin Bieksa. Cousins' recent hits, particularly on Arizona's defenseman Juuso Valimaki, which went unpenalized, have further contributed to his contentious reputation.
Curiously, Cousins seems to welcome his infamous status, a stance that could provoke even more resentment among his NHL peers. This unforeseen change in the preferred target for punches, shifting from Marchand to Cousins, introduces a fascinating new dimension to the interactions within the league, sparking fan interest in the relationships both on and off the rink. Keep an eye out for further updates as players share their thoughts on this unexpected poll result.
