Everyone around the NHL wants more good, clean hits in the game. So why are players so often punished for them with forced fisticuffs?

Minnesota Wild forward Yakov Trenin, the NHL's leader in hits, left Monday's game after a massive check from Dallas Stars' Colin Blackwell.

Trenin took line rushes on the fourth line, while Nico Sturm was on the ice but didn't participate. Barring a late scratch, Trenin will be back in the lineup following a two-game absence. He'll be a solid source of hits but isn't expected to add much offense.