Nicolas Deslauriers and Tanner Jeannot Put on Fight of the Season in Carolina

If you're a fan of old-school hockey, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better fight than the heavyweight showdown Nicolas Deslauriers and Tanner Jeannot delivered tonight in Carolina.

The two NHL tough guys dropped the gloves and proceeded to exchange heavy blows for well over a minute, putting on an absolute show that sent fans inside the arena into a frenzy. The crowd went absolutely crazy throughout the entire exchange, and it's hard to blame them. This was exactly the kind of heavyweight fight that reminds hockey fans why players like Deslauriers and Jeannot remain such valuable characters in today's NHL.

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At 35 years old, Deslauriers has carved out a lengthy NHL career as one of the league's most feared enforcers. After being selected in the third round of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, the Quebec native went on to play for the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Carolina Hurricanes. While his offensive numbers have never been particularly impressive, Deslauriers has made a name for himself by bringing an unmatched level of physicality and standing up for his teammates.

Jeannot, meanwhile, has built a similar reputation since breaking into the NHL with the Nashville Predators. The 6-foot-2 forward quickly established himself as a hard-nosed competitor who isn't afraid to throw his weight around or drop the gloves against some of the toughest players in the league. After stops in Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, Jeannot has continued to bring that same aggressive style to Boston.

And that's what made tonight's showdown so special.

Neither player appeared particularly interested in backing down, with both men willing to absorb punishment while continuing to throw punches. There was no shortage of respect between the two heavyweights, but that didn't stop them from giving the fans one heck of a show.

You have to appreciate players like Deslauriers and Jeannot. In an era when heavyweight fighting has become increasingly rare, these are two guys who are always willing to answer the bell when the situation calls for it.

Whether it's protecting a teammate, changing the momentum of a game or simply accepting a challenge from another willing combatant, both players have demonstrated throughout their careers that they're not interested in picking and choosing their opponents.

Tonight's battle in Carolina was a perfect example of that mentality. Forget the highlight-reel goals for a moment. Deslauriers and Jeannot gave hockey fans something they won't soon forget, and this heavyweight showdown has a legitimate claim to being the fight of the season.

Correct Jeannot’s Current TeamRemove Repetitive Fight Descriptions