Paul Bissonnette can't be done in Arizona. There is no way management is this shortsighted. I refuse to believe they would turn their backs on such a popular player when their arena sits half empty on most nights.


Paul Bissonnette: It's a pain in the ass to spell his name, but he's a good fighter. He has 7 goals in 202 NHL games, which is better than it sounds. He's a notorious Tweeter and a Fourth Line Enforcer in an era when the enforcer is on his way out.

So why care so much about bringing him back?

Well, for one, he can play hockey, he isn't just a fighter: he can hit and play D and even chip in with a goal now and then. Plus, how much is Joe Vitale really gonna bring in his place? Sure, Vitale probably has some untapped potential, but for five minutes a night, Bissonnette gives you something you can't really replace in a limited role.

Because he's a fan favorite and you are the last place team in attendance. Fans, whether they want to admit it or not, love fighting and they love character guys who lack skill (in comparison to the Boedkers and OEl's, obviously in comparison to most of us Bissonnette is Gretzky).

While it's true, that, according to hockeyfights.com Bissonnette only had 3 fights last year, he is the only player on the roster - outside of maybe Doan - likely to drop the gloves. Say what you want, I still think it's important to have a guy like this on the roster, even if it's in a limited role.

I haven't talked to Paul, but I bet he had a pretty good reason for only fighting 3 times last year. He has 52 regular season fights in his career. Maybe it was because he only got in 39 games last year. We won't hold it against him, he's good for for more than 3 this year if they bring him back. I promise.


Joking aside, Bissonnette is a great player. He isn't gonna score a ton and maybe he won't fight as much as he did when he was younger, I mean, it's gotta take a toll, right? But Paul Bissonnette is a warrior and a great guy to have on the team. If there is a better guy, with a better attitude for being the 13th forward on an NHL team, I don't know him.

Bissonnette isn't gonna be bitter about sitting out. He is - at least judging from his hilarious Tweets - just happy to be in the NHL at all. I am sure he'd love to play more, but while some guys will sulk, Bissonnette will just be a great teammate and while I am loathe to cite character as a reason to sign a guy, or play him, maybe on the fourth line it's not such a bad idea.

The team is more of a team with Bissonnette on it and the guy will kill for his teammates. Plus, it's not like he's that bad of a player. His seven goals are pretty good when you consider the kind of icetime and players he plays with. Hell, it wouldn't even be a bad idea to put him in front of the net on the Powerplay.

All you have to do is watch one of the replays of OEL getting crushed from behind into the glass last year - which happened on several occasions - to know why they need Bissonnette. On each occasion he was in the press box and the team did not react.

Maybe the team missed the playoffs by 2 points b/c Mike Smith got injured. But, maybe they didn't deserve to be there because they allowed guys to run their franchise player without consequences. As concussions continue to affect the game negatively and be a constant source of media attention, maybe it's worth wondering if the decline of guys like Paul Bissonnette and their use by NHL teams has something to do with it.

Look. I know many people don't care about a fourth line enforcer, but this guy is one of my favorite players. Don Cherry Loves him. I love him. The Coyotes should bring him back, and they should do it today. The fans love him, and how can the Coyotes afford to turn their back on a fan favorite? I just don't know.

Maybe the Coyotes have already cut ties with him. Maybe it ended the day they refused to offer him a contract extension and let him have a chance to go play anywhere else.

But, maybe, just maybe, the Coyotes could reconsider. They really should. It won't cost much, it carries no risk. They know the player, they know what he brings.

Just call him up today and sign him. Just the fact that he'll put a few more fans in the seats should be enough of a reason, but really, there are tons of reasons to bring him back and no good reason not to.


Follow @james_tanner123

Join the Discussion: » 16 Comments » Post New Comment

» I am Just Curious If This Works

» NHL At Least Tries to do the Right Thing

» The NHL Cannot Remain Apolitical and Must Show Leadership

» Time for a New Coach to Go Along with the New G.M

» Coyotes Eliminated Following Severe Beating