i dont like fighting in hockey, i wish they would remove it from the game, but since that aint happening then this was a necessary move
first off, if shanahan had done his job and suspended lucic like he should have, the rash of sudden goonery would not have erupted last season and this move would not be needed. shanahan struggled to maintain control, failing often, after that huge and grossly unfair mistake
even though its correct that this guy will likely never fight lucic or chara, what he does is give lindy a retailation option. now if somebody takes a liberty with any sabre, lindy just sends this guy out to start targeting their star players. nobody is going to be able to intimidate this guy, none of the other designated fighters can beat him, so he likely will rarely have to be used. opposing players know what the consequences will be even if he hardly never plays
its not a great solution, but with the sabres still too small and soft to have actual skaters do the intimidating, this will have to do