{"id":944,"date":"2016-09-14T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T12:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=944"},"modified":"2016-09-13T23:01:21","modified_gmt":"2016-09-14T03:01:21","slug":"top-5-agitators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/09\/14\/top-5-agitators\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Agitators in NHL History"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many roles for a player in the NHL. Some are glamorous, and some are not. The agitator carries a little bit of both. The agitator tends to be the fan favorite while simultaneously being hated league wide. This brings an interesting dynamic that challenges even the most objective fans. Agitators, you hate them, until they are on your team. Once that happens you are the first in line for a sweater and will defend them to the grave. It’s a peculiar role unlike\u00a0any other in professional \u00a0sports.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Agitate” is described in the dictionary as “to make someone troubled or nervous.” These five men took that definition to heart and played as the personification of it, whether it be a sucker punch, a slash to the leg, acting hurt, or attacking an entire bench. These players played their role and played it well. They did not discriminate if you were a star or a career minor league player up for his one shot at NHL glory. Here are the top five agitators:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Top 5 Agitators in NHL History<\/h1>\n

5.\u00a0Darcy Tucker<\/a>:\u00a0947 Games Played, 215 Goals, 261 Assists, and 1410 Penalty Minutes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Tucker was a small, gritty player, who loved to cause trouble. The 5’10”, 175-pound firecracker did exactly what he had to do to afford himself space on the ice. It didn’t matter who you were, he would chirp and chip his way into every scrum and stay in it until the very end, hacking and slashing his way through.<\/span><\/p>\n

He is a fan favorite in Toronto to this day, but won’t be making any friends in the Ottawa area any time soon with him attacking the bench in the first playoff game between the two team in 2008<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0Also Tucker had no problem with taking captains out at the knee,\u00a0then fighting them later. Tucker did whatever he had to do to win.<\/span><\/p>\n