Ric Flair Dubs Ryan Reaves the Baddest Man in the NHL, Calls Out Challengers
Ryan Reaves is one of the top heavyweight 'enforcer' style players left in the NHL, and he executes his role to a tee. He imposes his will more than pretty much anyone else, and when it comes to fighting it is hard to name another who is more well-equipped than Reaves. He and wresting legend Ric Flair caught up in New Jersey this week, and Flair gave a borderline incoherent toast, offering his compliments to the NHL's 'Baddest Man.'
Reaves is the NHL's pound-for-pound champ, I don't think there is any question about it. Nevertheless, Flair incoherently dubbed Reaves as such and challenged anyone who dare say otherwise in classic fashion. This guy, what can I say about this guy? The guy has flair and his name is Ric. Ric Flair.
This conversation has me thinking: who is the NHL's top heavyweight? There are a few names worthy of consideration. Nic Deslauriers. Milan Lucic. Zack MacEwan. Kurtis MacDermid. Mark Borowiecki is the Nate Diaz of the NHL, for my UFC fans out there.
For my money, I am going with Milan Lucic. I think in a winner-take-all fight, Lucic pounds everyone else and takes their lunch money. All respect to Mr. Reaves and Mr. Flair -- and everyone else -- but Lucic is my pick for 'Baddest Man in the NHL.'
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 393 ANSWERS Ric Flair Dubs Ryan Reaves the Baddest Man in the NHL, Calls Out Challengers Who is the NHL's 'Baddest Man?' | ||
| Ryan Reaves | 158 | 40.2 % |
| Milan Lucic | 82 | 20.9 % |
| Nic Deslauriers | 58 | 14.8 % |
| Other | 95 | 24.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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APRIL 30, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Quinn Hughes | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Matthew Boldy | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cutter Gauthier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mavrik Bourque | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Chris Kreider | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Murphy | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Bunting | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Carlson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Dach | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jackson Lacombe | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ilya Lyubushkin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mason McTavish | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mikko Rantanen | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||