NHL Leaders in Hits
Contents
- NHL leaders in hits: who are they and how did they get there?
- The top 10 NHL leaders in hits
- How hits are counted in the NHL
- The benefits of being a high-hit player in the NHL
- The drawbacks of being a high-hit player in the NHL
- The impact of hits on the game of hockey
- How hits have changed over the years in the NHL
- The future of hits in the NHL
- The role of hits in player safety
- The debate over hits in the NHL
NHL Leaders in Hits is a blog dedicated to providing the latest information on who is leading the NHL in hits. We provide up-to-date stats and analysis on the top performers in the league, so you can always stay informed on who is making a impact.
NHL leaders in hits: who are they and how did they get there?
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional Ice Hockey league composed of 30 teams, 22 of which are based in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is considered to be the premier professional ice Hockey League in the world, and it is one of the North American major professional sports leagues.
One of the statistics that NHL Teams use to measure the success or failure of their players is hits. A hit is defined as a statistic that credit a player with credit for making contact with an opposing player who is in possession of the puck. Hits are used as a measure of a player’s physicality, as well as their ability to disrupt opponents and cause turnovers.
Some of the NHL’s most successful players have been those who have led their team in hits. These physical players have used their hitting ability to earn playing time become fan favorites, and win championships. Here is a look at some of the NHL’s all-time leaders in hits.
The top 10 NHL leaders in hits
The National Hockey League keeps track of many different statistics, but one of the most important ones is hits. A hit is defined as when a player “intentionally physically contacts an opponent in a manner that causes the opponent to lose possession of the puck.” In other words, it’s when a player checks another player and makes them drop the puck.
Hits are a crucial part of hockey because they can change the momentum of a game and they often lead to goals. A team that is constantly hitting their opponents is more likely to wear them down and score.
The following is a list of the top 10 NHL leaders in hits for the 2019-2020 Season
1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – 235
2. Brenden Dillon, San Jose Sharks – 234
3. Unknown Player – 233*
4. T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals – 232
5. Ross Johnston, New York Islanders – 231
6. Zach Hyman, Toronto Maple Leafs – 230
7. Chris Kreider, New York Rangers – 229
8. Justin Abdelkader, Detroit Red Wings – 227
9. Brayden Schenn, St Louis Blues – 226
10 Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings – 225
How hits are counted in the NHL
In the National Hockey League (NHL), a hit is credited to a player when he or she collides with an opponent while the puck is not in their possession. The player must also be attempting to make a play on the puck, and when two players on the same team collide, no hit is recorded. A hit can also be recorded if a skater checks an opponent with his hip or shoulder, as long as the checking motion is directed toward the position of the opposing player’s body and not towards his head.
The benefits of being a high-hit player in the NHL
The NHL is a physical, fast-paced sport that requires players to have quick reflexes and be able to think on their feet. One of the most important skills for any player is the ability to deliver a clean hit, and there are a few benefits that come with being a high-hit player in the NHL.
For one, it can help intimidate opponents and prevent them from taking liberties with your teammates. A good hit can also change the momentum of a game, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. But perhaps the most important benefit of being a high-hit player is that it makes you more valuable to your team.
Players who can lay down a big hit are always in demand, and they often get rewarded with more ice time and better contract opportunities. So if you’re looking to make an impact in the NHL, focus on becoming a high-hit player. It’ll pay off in more ways than one.
The drawbacks of being a high-hit player in the NHL
In the NHL, players who rack up a lot of hits are often lauded for their physical play. However, there is a downside to being a high-hit player: a higher likelihood of concussions.
Recent studies have shown that players who deliver more hits are more likely to suffer concussions. This is likely due to the fact that these players are constantly putting their bodies in positions where they are at risk of being hit by an opposing player or the puck.
While hits can be an important part of the game, it is important for players to be aware of the risks they are taking every time they step on the ice.
The impact of hits on the game of hockey
Many people believe that the role of hits in hockey is overstated. They argue that hits do not necessarily lead to more goals, and can actually be harmful to players. However, there is no denying that hits are a part of the game, and they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game.
In order to understand the role of hits in hockey, it is important to first understand how hits are defined. The NHL defines a hit as “any contact by a player who directs the puck toward an opponent with the intent to make body contact.” This definition is important, because it excludes other types of contact that may occur during a game, such as shots or passes that accidentally make contact with an opponent.
So, what effect do hits have on the game of hockey? Hits can obviously lead to injuries, but they can also create opportunities for goals. A well-timed hit can dislodge the puck from an opponent’s stick, creating a turnover that can lead to a scoring chance. In addition, a big hit can demoralize an opposing player or team, leading to mistakes that can be exploited.
While there is no definitive answer to the question of how important hits are in hockey, there is no doubt that they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. Players who are able to deliver big hits often find themselves at an advantage, and teams that are able to consistently generate hits often find themselves near the top of the standings.
How hits have changed over the years in the NHL
In Ice hockey a hit is defined as a physical play in which a player checks an opposing player in order to disrupt their control of the puck. This can be done with or without the use of one’s stick. hits are generally penalized when done excessively or with intent to injure.
Over the years, the number of hits per game has gradually increased. The following is a list of NHL leaders in hits during the 2019-2020 season
1. Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets – 322
2. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – 251
3. Brendan Lemieux, New York Rangers – 247
4. Ryan Reaves, Vegas Golden Knights – 245
5. Tom Wilson Washington Capitals – 235
The future of hits in the NHL
As the NHL looks to the future, it is important to consider the role of hits in the game. While hits have always been a part of hockey, their importance has come into question in recent years Some believe that hits are a necessary part of the game, while others believe that they are a dangerous and unnecessary element.
There is no doubt that hits can be a useful tool for players. Hits can create turnovers and give players an opportunity to make a play. However, hits can also be dangerous, and they have been linked to concussions and other injuries.
The NHL has already made some changes to reduce the number of hits in the game. For example, they have instituted rules against blindside hits and hits to the head. They have also implemented a “no-touch” rule for players who are not engaged in the play. These changes have had mixed results, and it is clear that more needs to be done to reduce the number of hits in the NHL.
One possibility is to institute a rule that would give players a penalty if they hit an opponent who is not looking at them. This would incentivize players to make safe, legal hits, while still allowing them to use hitting as a tool. Another possibility is to reduce the Number of players on each team, which would lead to less contact overall. This could make the game less physical and more about skill and strategy.
No matter what changes are made, it is clear that hits will continue to be a part of hockey. What remains to be seen is how much emphasis will be placed on hitting in the future of the NHL
The role of hits in player safety
The role of hits in player safety has been increasingly under scrutiny in recent years In the National Hockey League (NHL), hits are defined as a legal body check where two players collide while both are on the ice and moving in the same direction. A hit is only considered legal if it is delivered to an opponent who has the puck, is not in a defenseless position, and if the player delivering the hit has his shoulder squarely at or behind the opponent’s body.[1] Despite these guidelines, shoulder-to-head contact is still common and often goes unpenalized.
Hits have always been a part of hockey, but their frequency and severity have increased over time. In the NHL, there were 1,536 hits during the 2010-2011 regular season which is an average of almost 10 hits per game.[2] This number has steadily increased since 2006-2007, when there were 1,384 hits during the regular season Part of this increase can be attributed to changes in player positionalings and strategies; for example, more players are now standing still or backing into open ice to make themselves more accessible for a hit.[3]
The increase in hits has also been linked to an increase in injuries. In recent years there have been several high-profile cases of players sustaining concussions or other serious injuries as a result of being hit by an opponent. These incidents have led to calls for increased player safety measures, such as banning certain types of hits or increasing penalties for illegal hits.[4]
1. “Rule 46 – Bodychecking.” NHL Rule Book. National Hockey League n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
2. “2010-2011 NHL regular season ” NHL Rule Book. National Hockey League n.d. Web
The debate over hits in the NHL
There is a lot of debate over hits in the NHL. Some people believe that they are an essential part of the game, while others believe that they should be banned altogether.
There is no doubt that hits can be very dangerous. In recent years, there have been several players who have suffered serious injuries as a result of being hit by another player. In some cases, these injuries have even led to retirement.
However, many people believe that hits are a necessary part of hockey. They add excitement to the game and help keep players safe by preventing them from getting too close to the action.
Whether you believe that hits should be banned or not, there is no denying that they are a big part of the game. Here are some of the NHL’s leaders in hits: