The Florida Panthers are standing by their forward Nick Cousins despite recent criticism of his aggressive playing style. Hockey Night in Canada analyst Kevin Bieksa labeled Cousins “a rat” on national television, and a player survey in The Athletic ranked him as having “the most punchable face” in the league. Cousins, however, is unfazed by the negative comments and asserts that his physical playing style has been consistent throughout his career.
Both Cousins’ coach and teammates support his style of play, with coach Paul Maurice expressing approval of Cousins playing on the edge. Despite recent controversy surrounding hits labeled as dirty, including one on Juuso Valimaki, the team stands by Cousins. Bieksa specifically called out Cousins for a trend of “dirty” hits, referencing incidents with Erik Gudbranson and Mark Schiefele.
Cousins defended himself, stating that he is not bothered by the criticism and that his style of play has been a constant throughout his ten-year career with six different teams. He acknowledges that some people appreciate his style while others do not.
In response to the recent hits, Cousins received a minor penalty for boarding Gudbranson, initially given a major penalty, which was later downgraded after review. Gudbranson retaliated and received a one-game suspension. Jason Zucker, who blindsided Cousins, received a four-game penalty.
Cousins’ teammates expressed support for him, emphasizing the camaraderie within the team. Matthew Tkachuk highlighted Cousins’ importance in crucial moments, referencing a series-clinching overtime goal against Toronto in the East semifinals.
When facing the Arizona Coyotes, who were involved in the hit that left Cousins concussed, teammates engaged in pregame altercations to defend Cousins. Despite being sidelined for over a month, Cousins is expected to return to the lineup against Philadelphia.
The team’s tough and physical playing style has led to a reputation, evident in the survey where three Panthers players ranked among the top eight as having the “most punchable face.” However, the team embraces this reputation, emphasizing their commitment to playing hard and being tough to play against, even if it means not being well-liked by opponents.
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