Kanzig can probably skate circles around MacIntyre, but for the sake of argument let's say that they are about the same. Remember this hit?
(I miss THAT Prust)
Did that hit make the Flames afraid of manhandling the Oilers? I think it was the same season that Sarich obliterated Hall, wasn't it? It doesn't do anything. Teams figure out right away that they can get a PP if they just get those retaliatory calls, and they know that a goon-type of guy is just going to be smothered by the refs right away anyways. That is really why the goons are out of the game now - the NHL clamped-down and the refs basically follow the goon around making sure he doesn't do anything. The NHL disciplines these guys more.
The worst example I can think of - the Bertuzzi incident. Did teams play Naslund or the Sedins easier after that? I would bet they didn't.
You need a team that can play the same way, and go after their stars. Then it simply isn't worth it any longer for the opposing team to do that.
Think of it this way. It is an advantage to cheap-shot your star player out of the game if the refs aren't going to put a stop to it, and/or if the opposing team's PP sucks. However, that helps you for THAT game - maybe a 'home and home'. However, if the opposing team is known for fighting fire with fire, you don't want to use that as a tactic because your own star might be gone for a month or two because of the injury. A goon might get away with it once, but then he will likely be on his long-term suspension the next time those teams meet.
You will run out of goons, and be at the bottom of the standings.
The Vancouver altercation worked so well because Torts totally played that so wrong.
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