THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Fans seemingly are always debating who’s the Blues better brawler — D.J. King or Cam Janssen? What are the differences in style and impact these guys bring to the ice for the Blues?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
D.J. King and Cam Janssen are both enforcers, but they’re completely different on the ice. King (6-3, 228) is considered a bigger heavyweight in the NHL, while Janssen (6-0, 210) is seen as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the league. Both can put an opponent on the ice with one punch. King might be able to land the haymaker, which could come from the left or right side, but Janssen can deliver a series of blows that can accumulate quickly.

But when they’re not brawling, that’s when they are even more different as players. King is the better puck protector, holding it in the corner and keeping it away from the opponent. He’s not an offensive threat by any means, but he can handle his own. Janssen, while not as good with the puck, is better than King at sizing up opponents on the boards and delivering bone-crushing hits. That’s a very key part to Janssen’s game. As feared a fighter as King is, the Blues wish he were as physical during the play as Janssen.

But that’s what makes the game entertaining. Every player brings something different.

JEFF GORDON
King is a true heavyweight, capable of taking on the biggest and toughest enforcers in the NHL. Janssen can fight almost anybody, but he isn’t a Tony Twist-like deterrent. But he skates well enough to make big hits and agitate the other side. Janssen has more game-to-game value on the fourth line, stirring things up. And he can certainly handle himself. He embraces his role with some flair and helps fuel the Blues’ home-ice advantage.

DAN O’NEILL
D.J. King is 20 pounds heavier and three inches taller than Cam Janssen, so that presents some obvious differences. In most of his fights, King is the physical equal of his opponent, if not superior. Janssen is often fighting someone bigger. His fights are usually marathons, not sprints. And he often overwhelms the opponenent with the number of punches he throws. It would be interesting to see both guys fight a common opponent — and I’m thinking Kanye West might be a wonderful study subject.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
What these guys do is give the Blues a “nuclear deterrent,” a form of protection for the skill players. You could also say they provide a shot of adrenaline at times when the team appears to be dragging a bit. Cam and D.J. also understand that what they do needs to fit into the structure of the game on any given night. As for the difference in style, it’s as different as their off-ice personalities. D.J. is soft spoken, a bit reserved and when he fights he works calmly to set up one or two big blows. Cam is outgoing, energetic and fights like his hair is on fire. What they’re both working on is improving the other aspects of their games, per Andy Murray’s wishes, so that they’re more than just brawlers and can serve as important physical forces outside of their fights.

ANDY STRICKLAND (Hockeybuzz.com, KFNS)
The immediate difference one sees between D.J. King and Cam Janssen is the size. King stands about 6-3, 230 while Janssen weighs in much smaller at about 6-foot and about 205. King is also a true NHL heavyweight, Janssen is not. Janssen may not be a heavy but he’s proven he’s willing to go the heavies anytime. Their styles are pretty different on the ice. Janssen is one of the more effective pests in the league. He irritates the opposition by getting under the skin of opposing players and more often than not can have an impact on a game without dropping the gloves. Players around the league know King is extremely tough and can throw with anybody but he doesn’t play the same physical, aggressive style you see Janssen bring to the ice.

You can argue King is better with the puck than Janssen and is pretty good at controlling the puck along the wall, especially below the goal line in the offensive zone. The Blues would like to see King have more of a presence on the ice and play a more tenacious, in-your-face style. There are ways to play tough without dropping the gloves and King could throw his body around a little more than what we’ve seen in his short time in the NHL.

Opposing D-men know when Janssen is on the ice. He’s a tremendous north and south skater and uses his speed to deliver some serious bone-crushing hits nearly every time he touches the ice. King may be considered the better fighter but Jannsen undoubtedly plays tougher. Janssen plays an even bigger role on home ice with his ability to get the crowd into the game. He’s also one of the more popular players among his teammates and the fans. I wrote last year the Blues record when Janssen dresses is incredibly impressive.