One of the league's most hated players still can't find an NHL job

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Josh Tupper
July 29, 2024 (8:17)

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Nick Cousins: NHL's Unsettled Pest Remains Unsigned as Free Agency Rolls On

As the summer progresses, several notable free agents who played significant roles in the 2023-24 NHL season remain unsigned. Among them is Nick Cousins, a known agitator who recently lifted the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. Despite his championship pedigree, Cousins finds himself without a contract nearly a month into free agency.

Cousins has carved out a reputation as one of the NHL's biggest pests. His playing style has drawn criticism from various quarters, including from former defenseman and current Sportsnet analyst Kevin Bieksa. In a January broadcast, Bieksa didn't hold back, labeling Cousins as a 'rat' for his on-ice behavior.

""What people don't wanna watch and see is kneeing, hitting a guys head into the boards, ramming a guy from behind and that is a common theme for [Nick Cousins]," Bieksa said. "I have never done this before but I have to do it, because this is a trend with this player."

He added, "Somebody has to hammer this guy from the department of justice and put an end to these crappy hits because I hate em and that's a rat to me, I'm sorry it is."

Despite the negative perception, Cousins could still offer value to contending teams, especially those looking for a gritty, playoff-proven player. The question remains whether his next opportunity will come through a guaranteed deal or a professional tryout contract (PTO). His style of play is highly sought after in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he must tread carefully and avoid crossing the line as he did on multiple occasions last season.

During the regular season, Cousins appeared in 69 games, tallying 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), accumulating 64 penalty minutes, and finishing with a plus-one rating. In the playoffs, he added one assist and 20 penalty minutes over 12 games.

Cousins' future in the NHL remains uncertain, but his tenacity and experience could still make him an asset to the right team, provided he can rein in the more controversial aspects of his game. As teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see where this polarizing player lands.

Source: Hockey Feed
The most hated man in the NHL is still unsigned.