Broad Street Buzz
Fansided

Flyers Top 5 Lists: Most Feared Metro Fighters

By Colin Newby

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights is escorted off the ice by linesman Jonny Murray after Reaves received a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct penalty for a hit on Tom Wilson (not pictured) #43 of the Washington Capitals in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights is escorted off the ice by linesman Jonny Murray after Reaves received a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct penalty for a hit on Tom Wilson (not pictured) #43 of the Washington Capitals in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

5. Max Domi, Columbus Blue Jackets

Max Domi is a player that catches the attention of Flyers fans simply based on his father Tie Domi’s history as a nemesis during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The 26-year-old has shown scoring potential in the past, and he certainly will not shy away from dropping the gloves or mixing it up in the physical game. He is not as prominent of a fighter as his father. However, Domi’s fearless mentality, standing at just 5-foot-9, was on full display against the 6-foot-2 Nido Niederreiter in a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes last year.

4. Matt Martin, New York Islanders

Matt Martin brings a physical presence as a depth player who helps maintain the identity of the Islanders as a strong, physical team. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, he stands down to nobody in the NHL.

Martin proved as much by dropping the gloves with former Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara twice during the month of April.

The Flyers have been pushed around by the Islanders in recent seasons. Both Lindblom and Morin dropped the gloves against them last year, and I expect a few more battles in 2021-22.

3. Zac Rinaldo, Columbus Blue Jackets

Zac Rinaldo signed a two-way contract with Columbus last week. Flyers fans know his antics well after he spent his first four NHL seasons in Philadelphia. While he showed glimpses of value with a physical forechecking style, his reckless lack of hockey sense and frequent foolish penalties ultimately led to his exit.

His tendency to cross the line with his checking style lands him in hot water frequently. He has six career suspensions at the NHL level, and he even once proved it possible to receive suspensions from the AHL and NHL at the same time. It suffices to say that opponents will always expect him to answer the bell given his aggressive style.

It remains to be seen what role the Blue Jackets will expect from him. However, Rinaldo made his presence known with a fight against Austin Watson of the Ottawa Senators in one of just four regular season games with the Calgary Flames last season.

Home/Flyers News