Why does Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson keep getting into so many fights?
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Since the year 2000, Hockey Fights has documented the pugilistic side of the NHL and the sport as a whole.
Founded when dial-up modems and gif-infested GeoCities pages were still prevalent, Hockey Fights has maintained detailed logs of seemingly every bout in league history.
And not surprisingly, there are leaderboards for career totals as well as season-by-season figures.
Somewhat surprisingly, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson is at the top of the list for the 2023-24 season.
Through Friday’s games, Pettersson is in a seven-way tie for the league lead in fighting majors with two.
The primary curiosity to all of this is why Pettersson — who has the build of an atrophied coat rack at 6-foot-3 and 177 pounds — is in the same company as true heavyweights like Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves and Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson (whom Pettersson fought Oct. 13).
“I feel like they just happen,” Pettersson said. “It’s not something that I’ve been looking (to fight) or anything. But they happen.”
His most recent entanglement happened during the second period of a 6-3 road loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday when he squared off with Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin.
The two broke off from a larger scrum, and Larkin spun Pettersson to the ice. Recovering to his skates, Pettersson re-engaged with Larkin, who had dropped his gloves. Each player threw a single punch — with neither connecting — and Larkin fell to the ice as the linesmen stepped in.
It was hardly Tunney-Dempsey in ’27, but both players received fighting majors.
“It was just a scrum,” said Pettersson, who lauded Larkin for engaging in the bout. “He kind of got a hold of me and put me on to the (ice). Then I got up, and I saw his gloves were off. I figured he wanted to go. That was kind of quick. I lost my grip of him, and he lost his balance. So, it was over with quick.”
Larkin is easily the least threatening of the four opponents Pettersson has fought in the past two seasons. Last season, he fought Philadelphia Flyers forward Nicolas Deslauriers on Nov. 25.
Then he tangled with former San Jose Sharks forward Jonah Gadjovich on Jan. 28.
Deslauriers (14) and Gadjovich (nine) finished first and fifth, respectively, in fighting majors last season.
In addition to Wednesday’s fight, Pettersson received a fighting major for largely defending himself against Wilson five nights earlier.
“He’s got a pretty impressive fight card if you look at some of the guys that he’s fought,” Penguins forward Sidney Crosby said. “He’s comfortable. It’s not something that he feels like he has to do every night. But he’s able to do it. We responded the right way after that. Not something that you see a lot. But he’s physical at times and sometimes, you’re going to have to do that.”
Pettersson acknowledges he isn’t the most technically proficient fighter. But he doesn’t exactly lose his bouts either.
“I feel like I’ve maybe not gotten any punches in, but I’ve been able to protect myself well,” Pettersson said. “A few years ago (former Penguins defenseman Erik) Gudbranson showed me, after I had my first couple (of fights), how to kind of protect myself. I’ve been trying to do that as much as possible.”
After being acquired via a trade in February of 2019, Gudbranson (6-5, 222) was briefly Pettersson’s defensive partner in addition to an unofficial trainer.
Pettersson’s current teammates appreciate his courage.
“He’s a team guy,” goaltender Tristan Jarry said. “He’s sticking up for our guys. Obviously, it’s tough and the game happens fast and he’s been caught in the middle of it a couple of times. It’s awesome to see. He’s a great teammate, and we’re thankful that he does it.”
Pettersson is a bit more low-key on any reputation he may have as a fighter. But he makes his intentions clear.
“I don’t think I’m going to be going around looking for it,” Pettersson said. “But if it happens, it happens. You’ve got to be able to stand up for yourself and your teammates. It’s important to show that I’m willing to do that. But it’s not something that I’m going to go around looking for either.”