Hi everyone, Eli Feldman here. Although many of us prepare for the fantasy hockey season like it's our part-time job, at the end of the day, fantasy hockey is for our entertainment. With this in mind, it's unsurprising that virtually all managers gravitate toward the same cluster of superstars – McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews, et al. – at the outset of every draft, with the expectation of witnessing glimpses of hockey genius throughout the season.

Beyond the entertainment factor alone, a league's scoring system may not place much weight (if any) on the "gritty" statistics (hits, blocks, and penalty minutes). And in any case, adding an enforcer (or, in hockey terms, a bruiser) off the waiver wire is almost always easier than identifying the next Kirill Marchenko.

While all this is true, it's crucial to recognize that all stats are created equal. In other words, the manager who dominates the "fluffy" scoring stats (G, A, PPP) but neglects the "gritty" stats is no better off than the manager who does the opposite – and indeed, may be worse off: whereas offensive production typically ebbs and flows, bona fide bangers offer sustained levels of production akin to the world's most timeless truths. 

Against this backdrop, here are several noteworthy players in the Eastern Conference playing with an "edge" at the zenith of the 2024-2025 NHL season.

Statistics current to January 6, 2024

Brenden Dillon (D, NJ)

Banger Score: 122 (HIT: 32, BLK: 75, PIM: 15)

Aside from the undisputed banger league champion Radko Gudas (who currently plays in the Western Conference), Brenden Dillon provides easily the greatest bang for your buck. Paired with the offensive-minded Dougie Hamilton at even strength, Dillon has embraced a stay-at-home role, delivering thunderous hits and eating pucks voraciously whenever he's on the ice. Dillon also isn't afraid to shed his mitts, having served up knuckle sandwiches on four occasions this season, the fourth highest total in the NHL.

While Dillon continues to make invaluable banger league contributions this season, it's worth noting this is nothing new: he achieved a top-10 leaguewide Banger Score over each of the previous five seasons. As a proven bruiser playing on one of the most effective defensive pairings in the League (based on xGF), Brenden Dillon is a must-own banger league player.

Mathieu Olivier (RW, CBJ)

Banger Score: 132 (HIT: 5, BLK: 126, PIM: 1)

Speaking of knuckle sandwiches, Mathieu Olivier appears hungry to engage in fisticuffs at the drop of a hat so far this year. Pencilled in as a fourth liner to begin the season, Olivier has played his way into a top-6 role amidst a career year (Olivier has already doubled his previous career high in goals with 10 just halfway through the season).

Despite his recent offensive success, it's clear that Olivier hasn't forgotten about his roots: he is currently leading the NHL with nine fighting majors entering play on Tuesday evening. To put that figure into perspective, there have been 148 total fights in the NHL so far this year, meaning that Mathieu the Meanie has participated in over 6% of all fights so far this campaign.

If Olivier can sustain even a fraction of his offensive production in the back half of the year, there is no doubt that he will end up ranked in the top 100 in banger leagues, making him a must-own. When it comes to knuckle sandwiches, the Olivier the better.

Charlie McAvoy (D, BOS)

Banger Score: 135 (HIT: 81, BLK: 35, PIM: 19)

Switching gears to more of a household name, Charlie McAvoy has long been heralded a banger league beauty since breaking into the League in 2017. Although he is currently on pace for marginally lower HIT, BLK, and PIMs totals as compared to last season, his reputation as a gamer could very well alter those projections as Boston continues to ramp up its intensity down the stretch.

Despite his Band-Aid Boy certification, McAvoy's track record for banger league excellence makes him a potential buy low candidate for owners willing to pay the piper. 

Garnet Hathaway (RW, PHI)

Banger Score: 161 (HIT: 7, BLK: 127, PIM: 27)

Garnet Hathaway (no relation to Anne) has always played with an edge to his game, racking up 31 PIM in just 14 games with the Calgary Flames during his 2015-2016 rookie campaign. Hathaway took the rough stuff to another level last season, amassing 326 hits and 132 penalty minutes in 82 GP last season, both career highs.

During his second season with the Flyers, Hathaway has recorded 139 hits and 40 PIMs in 40 GP. Although these totals pace lower than his totals from last year, the feisty winger remains an elite source of banger statistics for managers looking to inject some juice into their lineups.

Connor Clifton (D, BUF)

Banger Score: 164 (HIT: 23, BLK: 54, PIM: 87)

In the midst of another tumultuous season in Buffalo, Connor Clifton continues to burn off steam in the only way he knows best: by banging bodies. Clifton is currently on pace for 229 hits, which would set a new career high by surpassing the 208 hits he delivered as a Bruin two seasons ago.

Listed at 5'11", Clifton may not get mistaken for the Big Red Dog very often, but make no mistake about it – he packs a punch. With BUF's strong fantasy hockey playoff schedule, Clifton could slot into your lineup and bring the BOOM when it counts the most.

Simon Benoit (D, TOR)

Banger Score: 179 (HIT: 29, BLK: 75, PIM: 75)

Following yet another heartbreaking playoff exit courtesy of the Boston Bruins, the 2024 off-season was predictably busy for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team bid adieu to several of its rearguards (namely, TJ Brodie, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Joel Edmundson) and welcomed in veterans Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jani Hakanpää, and Chris Tanev (among others).

Despite major personnel off-season changes to the backend, Québec native Simon Benoit earned third pairing defensive responsibilities following a strong playoff performance last year. And it's safe to say, Benoit has picked up right where he left off.

Benoit offers a fabulous blend of banger statistics, ranking in the top 100 of all three categories entering play on Tuesday. Benoit is also benefitting from an elevated share of shorthanded TOI as compared to last season, providing ample opportunities to sustain (and improve) his BLK totals.

As a key player on a President's Trophy-contending team, Benoit's plus/minus total is unlikely to hurt you and his banger league contributions may be of use.

Jonas Siegenthaler (D, NJ)

Banger Score: 191 (HIT: 126, BLK: 31, PIM: 34)

Unlike most of the other features on this list, Jonas Siegenthaler is a first-time banger; that is, he did not earn a top 10 Banger Score before this season. Perhaps that is why the defensively responsible Siegenthaler is a lesser-known banger league commodity – and that should be music to any banger league manager's ears looking for the next big thing.

Siegenthaler is currently on pace to demolish his career highs in HITs (with 118) and BLKs (with 154), while also setting a new career high in PIMS (with 48). Like the Dillon-Hamilton duo, Siegenthaler has made an impact playing alongside Jonathan Kovacevic, as the two are currently ranked 9^th in xGF among qualified defensive pairings (immediately behind teammates Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce).

Although Jonas may not be the most striking option on your waiver wire, his contributions to banger league categories may help your team "siege" the day.  

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In banger leagues, the HIT-BLK-PIM combo could pave your path to victory. As they say: battles are won in the trenches. Have a great week!