From the first time a puck was dropped on a sheet of ice in North America, hockey players have earnestly felt the need to defend themselves and their teammates through physicality. During most of this time, it appeared that hockey and fisticuffs were wed. However, over the past five years, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and other high-profile league officials have sought to put a halt to the violence, much of which has been enjoyed for almost 100 years. Though the league has attempted, ardently, to eliminate fighting from the sport, pockets of fans and media have felt that in doing so, the NHL was stripping the sport of its essence. For many, fighting is a necessary evil and one that helps maintain the game’s classic norms of passion, courage and grit. Without it, many contend, the game becomes more about scoring and less about teamwork and toughness.

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Lou Lamoriello apparently went into this offseason trying to prove Thomas Wolf wrong. Because apparently in New Jersey, you can go home again. The Devils general manager started shopping on Tuesday looking for more offense and he came up with some very familiar names. First he inked Brian Rolston to a four year, $20 million contract and then took back Bobby Holik on a one year deal for $2.25 million. Both players won Stanley Cups with New Jersey and will be looking to do it again in the twilights of their careers. Rolston, 35 played for New Jersey from 1994-99, when he was traded to Boston for Claude Lemieux. The left wing continued to be productive into his 30s and scored 31 goals and 28 assists for the Minnesota Wild last year. Although he shows no sign of dropping off, the contract does run until Rolston is 39, making it kind of tricky.

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