Tom Sestito Remains Confident his NHL Days are not Over

A total of 28.65 per cent of games this season have included a fight. In 2012-13 it was 36.67 per cent and in 2008-09 it was 41.38, according to hockeyfights.com.

Sestito led the league with 19 regular-season bouts and 213 penalty minutes last season. This season, he has played just three games in the NHL and is a pending unrestricted free agent who can see the writing on the wall.

“It’s changing but I’m not worried about it too much right now,” the 27-year-old Sestito said from Utica, where he recently had fights in consecutive AHL games with the Comets. “It’s pretty tough to get picked up off waivers because clubs have cap issues with roster spots and contracts.

“I’m pretty confident and I’ll be up in the NHL somewhere next year,” added Sestito. “I showed I can play and I’ve just got to get more confidence down here and there will be an NHL team that will want me — maybe by the (trade) deadline or maybe next year. I believe that. I’m sure I’ll be back.”