Word: nilan
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...people like Dave Semenko, Brown, Ed Hospodar and Chris Nilan are fast becoming dinosaurs in the NHL. The silent majority of fans who want to watch goal-scoring instead of fisticuffs know it. Coaches who knowingly keep a defensive liability on their roster are being burned...
...life after the Beanpot, the Canadiens sent Nilan to their Nova Scotia farm team in 1979 to hone his skills and then called upon his services in February of that year. He has remained in the NHL ever since. He saw regular action last year, but this year has played sporadically. Yet, when he talks about his stats, you know they are as respectable and by intimidating...
...Nilan made the record books with what has to be one of the most innovative plays seen this year. After getting a high stick near the eye from Pittsburgh's Paul Baxter. Nilan attacked his assailant, who wisely covered up in a heap on the ice. As he made his way to the penalty box. Nilan heard some remarks from Baxter which he apparently did not care for. Thinking that the moment required some decisive action. Nilan picked up a loose puck and, from the penalty box, winged it across the ice at Baxter, nailing him squarely on the head...
...regretted it," says Nilan of the incident. "Well, in a way. I regretted it publicly anyway. You know, guys come after you and you have to do these things sometimes." Nilan adds, however, that he doesn't have a reputation as an enforcer. "I don't know; if I have to help a player out I will. But I'm just going out there to play my game...I've established myself in the league. People know I'm not a goon. But I'm a physical player. I think my playing is opening up some people's eyes...
...Nilan, you might surmise, is tough. Nevertheless, the only people whose eyes he wants to open up right now are in the Montreal management. He hasn't played much since he torpedoed Baxter and is hoping to get back in the lineup. "I've been in and out now for a while. I just want a chance to play regularly and then I think everything will be fine...