Former Flyer Dethrones Marchand as NHL's Most Hated Player

In the world of players causing a stir in the NHL, Brad Marchand has been a controversial figure for a while. However, a recent player poll by The Athletic suggests there's a change in the air.

The survey, asking, "Who's the player in the league whose face you most want to punch?" placed Marchand, known for his on-ice antics, in the second spot with 14.97% of the votes. The new leader, grabbing a solid 28.57% of the votes, is now Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins.

Cousins' rise to the top might not be a surprise, given his recent involvement in heated plays. The criticism extended beyond the ice, with former NHL player Kevin Bieksa publicly calling out Cousins during an NHL broadcast, likely echoing the sentiments of many in the league.

The Top 5 players in this interesting category are outlined below:

Nick Cousins (28.57%)
Brad Marchand (14.97%)
Matthew Tkachuk (7.48%)
Michael Bunting (4.08%)
Conor Garland (4.08%)

As the NHL's landscape undergoes changes, the former Flyer Nick Cousins now finds himself wearing the crown as the league's most talked-about figure.