Hockey is unique among the major sports. Not just because it's played on ice, but also in how the sport embraces both hard, physical play along with the finesse.
Fighting in the NHL may be down from where it once was. However, there's still a chance to see a couple players throw down the gloves in any game, and don't count on the league to ban it outright anytime soon – the same league that annually awards the player who best shows "sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct" the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. That's one of the things that makes NHL betting so interesting.
Dirtiest to Cleanest NHL Teams (2015 to 2025)
| Team, Rank | Fine totals | Index Score |
| 1. Boston Bruins | $84,734 | 3.38 |
| 2. Edmonton Oilers | $64,698 | 2.87 |
| 3. Washington Capitals | $35,908 | 2.72 |
| 4. Tampa Bay Lightning | $61,429 | 2.62 |
| 5. Ottawa Senators | $37,106 | 2.57 |
| 6. Toronto Maple Leafs | $47,489 | 2.56 |
| 7. San Jose Sharks | $26,903 | 2.34 |
| 8. Philadelphia Flyers | $42,901 | 2.33 |
| 9. Florida Panthers | $50,958 | 2.29 |
| 10. Minnesota Wild | $52,271 | 2.05 |
| 11. Montreal Canadiens | $35,458 | 1.94 |
| 12. Utah/Arizona | $28,808 | 1.80 |
| 13. Winnipeg Jets | $38,493 | 1.67 |
| 14. New York Rangers | $42,000 | 1.61 |
| 15. Colorado Avalanche | $22,956 | 1.61 |
| 16. Anaheim Ducks | $23,242 | 1.52 |
| 17. Calgary Flames | $19,004 | 1.50 |
| 18. Nashville Predators | $18,000 | 1.49 |
| 19. Vancouver Canucks | $31,742 | 1.47 |
| 20. Vegas Golden Knights | $12,312 | 1.39 |
| 21. Detroit Red Wings | $19,722 | 1.38 |
| 22. St. Louis Blues | $32,433 | 1.38 |
| 23. Los Angeles Kings | $23,168 | 1.33 |
| 24. Dallas Stars | $32,333 | 1.26 |
| 25. New Jersey Devils | $18,876 | 1.14 |
| 26. Pittsburgh Penguins | $33,500 | 1.09 |
| 27. Buffalo Sabres | $17,235 | 1.09 |
| 28. Carolina Hurricanes | $34,000 | 0.94 |
| 29. Chicago Blackhawks | $13,205 | 0.84 |
| 30. Columbus Blue Jackets | $10,000 | 0.83 |
| 31. New York Islanders | $22,000 | 0.81 |
| 32. Seattle Kraken | $2,500 | 0.34 |
At RotoWire, home of the best sportsbook promos, we've poured through the suspensions and fines data at Spotrac from the 2015-16 to 2024-25 seasons. With that, we've established a Fines and Suspensions ranking – listed as "Index Score" in the chart above – that sorts teams by the number of players fined and the total amount of those fines along with the number of players suspended and the combined games lost. We ranked teams on each of those four categories, awarding them points based on their standing. The team with the highest number or amount received 32 points, and the team with the fewest earned one.
Over the past 10 seasons, the league has issued fines worth millions of dollars and suspensions totaling hundreds of games. While the fines impact just the player, the suspensions can lead to repercussions for a whole team, which must then juggle lineups, perhaps leading to repercussions at NHL betting sites too.
There also can be a reputational cost. One grievous act can change how fans across the league view a player.
Commotion On Causeway Street
RotoWire's research found that the Boston Bruins were the "dirtiest" team, thanks mainly to having the highest number of players who have been fined by the NHL and the highest total of fines levied. The Bruins ranked fifth in combined number of games lost to suspension, but only the Washington Capitals had more players lose time on the ice.
Customers using the best online sportsbooks will want to pay attention to which players are sitting out a game (or more) when they compare odds.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Seattle Kraken. It's easy to see why, when you consider the Kraken did not play until the 2021-22 season. Still, the franchise has had only one player fined a total of $2,500.
Of teams that played in each of the seasons, the New York Islanders earned the lowest or "cleanest" score. Just five players were docked a total of $22,000, and only three missed a combined seven games.
The disparity between the Bruins and the Islanders recalls what then-Bs coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters when the two teams met in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Miffed at the number of power-play chances the Isles earned in a Game 5 loss that gave New York a 3-2 series lead, Cassidy ranted about the "narrative" his opponents sold.
"It's more like the New York Saints, not the New York Islanders," he said.
The Islanders won the series in Game 6 on home ice, with the Nassau Coliseum crowd chanting "New York Saints!" throughout.
As the 2025-26 hockey season approaches, you can use our NHL betting promos to sign up with an operator and get a deal.
Active Players Fined The Most
| Player | No. of Fines | Total of Fines |
| Brad Marchand | 5 | $27,000 |
| Ryan Hartman | 5 | $20,591 |
| Max Domi | 4 | $20,000 |
| Evander Kane | 4 | $17,500 |
| Jamie Benn | 3 | $15,000 |
| Phillip Danault | 3 | $15,000 |
| Jacob Trouba | 3 | $15,000 |
| Evgeni Malkin | 3 | $15,000 |
| Joshua Morrissey | 2 | $13,467 |
| Ben Chiarot | 3 | $12,526 |
| Mikhail Sergachev | 3 | $12,403 |
| Oskar Sundqvist | 2 | $12,400 |
| Ryan Lomberg | 2 | $12,083 |
| Mathew Barzal | 3 | $12,000 |
| Ian Cole | 2 | $10,000 |
With the Bruins earning the most collective fines, it should not come as a shock that the "dirtiest" player was Brad Marchand, one of the franchise's legends. The former captain, who was dealt at the 2025 NHL trade deadline to the Florida Panthers, has been fined five times over the past decade for a total of $27,000.
Not surprisingly, the 16-year vet's nickname is "rat," given in honor of his style of play. Marchand has amassed 980 points in 1,100 regular season games, but he also has spent 1,115 minutes in the penalty box.
The player who has been suspended the most over the past decade was Thomas Wilson of the Washington Capitals. He has averaged six games per suspension, according to Spotrac data.
Are Dirtier Or Cleaner Teams More Successful?
The bottom line for fans and at top sports betting apps is winning, no matter the style of play. Our data shows both types of teams can be successful, though it skews a little more to the dirtier side.
Among the 10 "dirtiest" teams, the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals have five Stanley Cups among them since 2018. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who won back-to-back titles at the beginning of our 10-year timeframe, ranked seventh cleanest.
While neither the Bruins nor second place Edmonton Oilers have won a championship over the past decade, each franchise has been to at least one Final. Meanwhile, teams such as the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes have been playoff regulars over the past decade while being among the "cleanest" NHL teams.
Looking at the Stanley Cup futures board at Fanatics Sportsbook, the Panthers are the +700 favorites to win their third straight, with the Hurricanes just below them at +750. The Oilers, who have lost the past two Finals, are at +850, along with the Vegas Golden Knights (who rank 20th on our list). The Colorado Avalanche, who come in at No. 15 in our study, are the co-fifth choice with the Stars at +900.
