How often have you seen Probert get demolished in a fight? Enter Chris Simon vs. Probert in 1996 playoffs

[Hobnobs]

"this all started because bob probert flattened joe sakic"

letting simon go might have swung multiple cups

Depite his regular season skills during his peak, he was never really a factor in the playoffs.

People often forget but he didn't win a single cup final game until he played for the Flames. He played top-6 minutes for the caps in two playoffs and scored 3 goals. He wasn't the difference maker in Colorado either. Great fighter and regular season scorer vs lesser opponents, thats it.

 

[Big Phil]

Bob Probert wasn't really Bob Probert in 1996.

I don't know about that. He was still pretty deadly in 1996. I would still say was known as the most feared fighter in the NHL. The Detroit-era Probert is a bit scarier and unpredictable, but kudos still to the Hawk Probert.

 

[Leafshater67]

Late-career Probert was not near the animal he was early in his career. He still showed flashes of it but his play and his fighting both took a prettt big decline.

Still though, credit to Simon. He was a legit heavyweight and in his prime, a pretty solid power forward too.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Depite his regular season skills during his peak, he was never really a factor in the playoffs.

People often forget but he didn't win a single cup final game until he played for the Flames. He played top-6 minutes for the caps in two playoffs and scored 3 goals. He wasn't the difference maker in Colorado either. Great fighter and regular season scorer vs lesser opponents, thats it.

the difference i'm hypothesizing that he would have made wasn't in the goal scoring department, it was in those regular season all out brawls.

but also not a bad thing to have a 15 goal scoring enforcer patrolling your fourth line wing in a playoff series and capable of moving into the top six if injuries require it.

 

[GMR]

I don't know about that. He was still pretty deadly in 1996. I would still say was known as the most feared fighter in the NHL. The Detroit-era Probert is a bit scarier and unpredictable, but kudos still to the Hawk Probert.

By 1996, the NHL's top fighter was Twist/Simon/McCarthy. Twist was the most feared of that group because of his strength and power.

Probert was below their level by 1996.

 

[Big Phil]

By 1996, the NHL's top fighter was Twist/Simon/McCarthy. Twist was the most feared of that group because of his strength and power.

Probert was below their level by 1996.

Was there anyone that a new fighter wanted to fight more, even in 1996, than Probert?

 

[GMR]

Was there anyone that a new fighter wanted to fight more, even in 1996, than Probert?

Probably not. He was already a legend then for tough guys. Still, he wasn't the league's best fighter by 1996, even if he was the most infamous.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Probert was the kind of guy that would come back at whoever beat him in a fight and get the better of them in the next bout.

Yep... Probert lost a few, but he'd usually come right back at you if he did.
As far as I can tell, he never took on Simon again, though.

 

[Big Phil]

Probably not. He was already a legend then for tough guys. Still, he wasn't the league's best fighter by 1996, even if he was the most infamous.

Fair enough, a 1996 Probert isn't as daunting of a task to fight as a 1996 Probert, but still, him getting his clock cleaned by Simon or anyone like that is a shocking piece of footage.

 

[ShelbyZ]

Was reading some old articles after posting in the "Best Avs Cup Winner" thread yesterday and stumbled on one that talked about Simon taking flack from Crawford during the 1st round that year for focusing more on offense and less on deterring Odjick and Kocur from taking liberties. Wonder if maybe he had a chip on his shoulder after that leading to this fight...

 

[tarheelhockey]

Chris Simon was one tough customer. Manhandled Tie Domi three times in a row.