Fighting spirit lives in Lucic

Bruins' brawler is a throwback

Most of us like a good fight, especially in hockey, even though declaring that in print guarantees the scorn of the peace-lovin', and usually hockey-hatin', pacifists in the crowd. Even the folks in the NHL front office aren't all that crazy that a few of us cavemen still roam the rinks, but they somehow find it permissible that those same member rinks roll video clips of big and ugly fights and constantly flash highlights of bone-crushing hits.

Truth is, violence sells, which is nothing new, nor is it unique to hockey in North American sports. Exhibit A: the NFL, which rarely has fighting on the field but serves up brutality about every 35-40 seconds. Based on TV ratings, there isn't a better thing to watch in America, is there?

Now, before we continue, let me say that I, for one, appreciate the minority view here. If you don't like fighting, it's OK, I understand. Honest. I also agree that the world would be a far better place if we all got along, played nice, and I dwell on that thought for 35-40 seconds each and every Sunday (too little time, I agree, but far more than the world powers are willing to give the novel concept).

Just as it's your right not to like fighting, especially in hockey, it's my right to embrace it, even get worked up over it, especially when it's a really good hockey fight, packed with emotion, suspense, and purpose. All these years later, I still get a hoot out of the memory of John Wensink gallantly bowing in front of the North Stars bench, inviting any and all to pair up in a bare-knuckled waltz.

Is that hockey? Frankly, no. But in those days it was part of it, and boy, do I miss that part, and those days.

If you don't like it, then I say, with all due respect and careful consideration: Watch . . . something . . . else. It really is that easy. Turn the channel or simply practice rink avoidance (very popular in North Station this year). A toothless Hanson brother will not show up at your bedpost in the middle of the night, grab you by the scruff of the nightshirt, and force you to turn on NESN, Versus, or the NHL Network.

If you don't ask, we won't tell. Deal? Your world won't change a whit, and those of us who like some blood 'n' stitches in our hockey can live guilt-free and happy in our $75 balcony seat.

Which brings us to Bruins rookie Milan Lucic. The kid can punch, is entertaining, and we've seen his overall game emerge over the last six months. Amid the glorious flurry of punches, he's also a decent player, albeit with a skate-and-shoot skill set that still has a way to go to match his lock-and-load skill set.

Lucic entered a Feb. 28 fight reluctantly, in part because his nose has been broken twice in recent weeks. The Penguins' Jarkko Ruutu pressed him for the match, and finally Lucic took the invite, soon to the chagrin of Ruutu, who withstood some Lucic right-hand shots to the kidneys, followed by a couple of stiff rights to the head.

"For me, I think it's all about trying to get in a good shot," said the 6-foot-4-inch Lucic, who has a long reach that helps in calibrating those punches. "You know, you have to be smart in the placement of them - put 'em in a good spot, like the chin or the nose."

Unlike many, if not most, of his pugilistic predecessors, Lucic is not an emotional brawler. In fact, he is quite cool and calculated, grabbing hold of an opponent with his left hand, sizing up his prey, loading up his right and firing. He is also a student of the sweet science. When not at the rink, he spends considerable time on the Internet, searching for current fight clips and those of yesteryear.

"I'm on YouTube all the time," said the 19-year-old Lucic, who has had 13 fights this season, including yesterday's bout against Washington's Matt Bradley five seconds into the game. "I like hockeyfights.com, too. You know, just checking out guys, their styles. For me, hey, it's entertainment. I like to watch. And I'll be the first to say I'm not the only one on this team who watches."

One favorite clip Lucic came across was that of Bruins winger Stan Jonathan taking on Canadiens defenseman Pierre Bouchard - the bout long a favorite of Bruins fans, who saw the 5-8 Jonathan humble the 6-2 Bouchard that night at the Garden.

"Yeah, Bouchard, is that who it was?" said Lucic. "All I know is, it was that Jonathan guy against this big tall French guy with a mustache, and boy, Jonathan beat the snot out of him. Really great, that one."

Cam Neely, now a Bruins vice president, has enjoyed watching the raw Lucic. Neely was among the NHL's best fighters, a feared and wild-eyed power puncher. By his eye, Lucic is a different kind of fighter, in a different time.

"He's got a different style," noted Neely, "and I think that's true of a lot of the guys nowadays. Fighting's changed. They kind of square off with each other. There's that little wait-and-go thing, whereas I never really did that - I just went right at it.

"It's more technical, I guess. It's like, 'OK, we're fighting, I'll drop my gloves here and look to get in the first shot.' I just dropped and threw, and most everyone was that way."

Some of Lucic's favorite fighters include Bob Probert, Joey Kocur, Tony Twist, and Marty McSorley. No one won as many fights as Probert, Lucic duly noted, and most opponents took on Probie with great misgivings.

"I've watched Cam on the Internet, too," he said. "He just lifted that left hand and threw."

And if ever the two had met on the ice? Could Lucic have handled the now-Bruins VP?

"Right now, probably not," said Lucic. "But maybe when I get older."

Apprised of the rising slugger's assessment, the 42-year-old Neely wasn't quite so sure the kid would have to wait long.

"He's a bigger kid than I was," said Neely, who entered the league at around 6-1, 190. "Looch is, what, 6-4, 220? I don't think I hit 220 until I was around my mid-20s. Could've been close. What do you think, could he have handled the left hand?"

Fighting can be cruel. Teasing can be worse.

Bruins will look for signs and make pitches

The Bruins are certain to be shoppers when free agency opens July 1 (113 days to go, bargain hunters), and last week's slump again underscored the need for general manager Peter Chiarelli to find some size and skill up front (hello, Marian Hossa) and some puckhandling skill behind the blue line (hello, Brian Campbell).

Easy to identify, but difficult - and expensive - to execute.

Of those two prime free agents, Chiarelli might get the better shot at Hossa, but by all reports the price will be very steep: possibly $8 million a year for five years or more. He's the kind of scorer they need, and if Glen Murray doesn't get it going right away (read: now), look for the Bruins to rid the payroll of his $4.15 million next season. Such relief would make Hossa an easier purchase to fit under the cap.

Campbell, whom the Sabres flipped to San Jose at the deadline for Steve Bernier, likely will get a Zdeno Chara-like package (five years at $7.5 million per), if not more. Arguably, it's easier these days to find a top goalie (e.g. Cristobal Huet in Washington, Ilya Bryzgalov in Phoenix) than it is a power-play quarterbacking/puck-moving blue liner. Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning, Buffalo's director of amateur scouting when Campbell came to the Sabres, no doubt will be an advocate for the former Ottawa 67s star.

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Campbell has become an instant hit in San Jose, where on the night of his debut fans were chanting, "Sign him! Sign him! Sign him!" That kind of love could prove seductive come signing time. Campbell and Joe Thornton are also longtime pals, having grown up within a half-hour of each other in Ontario, Thornton in St. Thomas and Campbell in Strathroy.

"Whoever plays here just loves it," Jumbo Joe told the Ottawa Citizen last week. "You're in shorts. I'm in shorts. Life is good out here."

The Sharks right now have just under $38 million committed in 2008-09 payroll, while the Bruins have just under $39 million, against a cap figure expected to be around $53 million. Dollar for dollar, they're about on even ground, but the Sharks have at least another month and an undetermined playoff run to tilt the terrain their way.

Etc.

Price check
Good news for Bruins season ticket-holders, and for game-to-game budget shoppers in the medium and lower price ranges at the Garden. Bruins vice president Cam Neely, along with the Garden's marketing chief, Amy Latimer, last week announced a dramatic price reconfiguration throughout the building for next season, and some added perks for season ticket-holders who renew by March 24. Some prices are going higher, but the bumps aren't nearly as dramatic as the drops. For instance, select center-ice loges are going up by $14 to $99, while some end-zone balconies will drop from $60 to $24. One interesting twist in the lower-bowl end zones: The loge seats at the end where the Bruins shoot for two of the three periods will remain $73 each. At the opposite end, the price will drop to $65.

Talking a good game
Ex-Bruins defenseman Mike Milbury, gaining traction as a glib commentator, was a guest on commissioner Gary Bettman's weekly satellite radio show Thursday. "He asked me if my approach was different based on whether I was covering a Bruins game or another game around the league," said Milbury. "I said I did pull my punches a little when I'm covering the Bruins, although I don't think they think so." Right again. Milbury's down-to-the-bone comments have raised eyebrows in the front office, and led to some, shall we say, interesting communiques between Causeway Street and NESN headquarters. Whatever either side makes of all that, there is no denying that Microphone Mike is the best addition to the overall broadcast corps since Jerry Remy entered the building.

A peek into the future?
Before the Providence Bruins wrap up their season, Boston GM Peter Chiarelli would like to see prospects Carl Soderberg and Mikko Lehtonen pull on the Spoked-P. The chances of that? Soderberg: "Doubtful," reported Chiarelli. Lehtonen: "Probable." Soderberg is the big (6-foot-3-inch) Swedish pivot whom the Bruins acquired last summer for goalie Hannu Toivonen. Lehtonen, chosen by the Bruins at No. 83 in the 2005 draft, is a 6-5 Finnish winger playing for the Espoo Blues. A dose of North American hockey would give them both a headstart if they opt to come to September's training camp.

Good Burke, if you can get him
Brian Burke is the only name with any traction in Toronto as the lead candidate to replace the fired John Ferguson Jr. as general manager. Burke, for the record, has repeatedly said he is happy in Anaheim. Truth is, Burke is the most qualified guy for the job and should have been hired in the Hub (where did I read that?) when he was turfed in Vancouver and the product here was still readily salvageable. Until/unless Burke signs an extension, he'll remain No. 1 on the Blue-and-White wish list. Step No. 1 of the makeover failed miserably. Cliff Fletcher, the interim GM, came out of the Feb. 26 trade deadline with only four draft picks for dumping Chad Kilger, Wade Belak, and Hal Gill. The cost of tying up Burke, be it in southern Ontario or the Disney valley: a minimum $3 million a year.

Loose pucks
Shift disturber Sean Avery, dissatisfied with what the Rangers have been offering for an extension, says he'll head to the free agent market. There will be lots of tire-kickers for the professional pest, who'll be badgering the Bruins today in a matinee in New York. Only 27 years old, he could squeeze $4 million a year out of this market. But as tough as he is, he's also a tough act to tame. Brendan Shanahan has provided an ego check in the Ranger room, but not every room has such a guy. Without that kind of safeguard, Avery quickly could turn into $4 million worth of trouble . . . The Blackhawks have plenty of budding skill in the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, who are helping to bring back the crowds to the cavernous United Center. But do the Hawks have the requisite moxie? Sure looked that way last Wednesday in a 3-0 win over the Ducks, when a couple of Hawks had enough jam to antagonize Chris Pronger (although he remained in helmet, recovering from a fractured jaw) . . . Since parting with Hossa, the Thrashers have continued to drop like a stone. Brad McCrimmon is expected to take over as coach next season, but all bets will be off if GM Don Waddell is sent packing. The Thrashers have qualified for the playoffs only once in his eight-year tenure, and they were swept in four last spring by the Rangers. Star sniper Ilya Kovalchuk to the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "We just talk, talk, talk in the locker room, and then we don't do anything on the ice." . . . Carey Price, anointed the No. 1 stopper in Montreal when the Habs flipped Cristobal Huet to Washington, turned in a four-star stinker last Monday in San Jose, giving up six goals on 39 shots. "Can't fathom it," said one GM when asked why the Habs would let Huet go for only a second-round pick . . . Commissioner Gary Bettman said Chicago would be a likely candidate for an upcoming outdoor game. Wrigley Field would be a great venue. Here in the Hub, Fenway will be on the Commish's punch list, but that won't be for at least another 3-4 years. Ongoing renovations planned for the Emerald Bandbox will make the field off-limits in the winter. If movers and shakers want it here before then, they'll have to take it to Harvard Stadium or to Bob Kraft's Lighthouse in the Foxborough Forest . . . Must say, I like the new horn, introduced Thursday night, that blares at the Garden each time the Bruins score. Although, after the 8-2 pasting at the hands of the Leafs, I was convinced that Executive Son Charlie Jacobs acquired it via a Titanic salvage auction.

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at dupont@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.