28 profiles in 28 days...The Goon

Welcome back to TST's 28 profiles in 28 days. Here's the backstories of players previously profiled:
Kris Beech....The Unwanted One
Matt Cooke...The New Ruu
Sidney Crosby....The Chosen One
Pascal Dupuis….The Iceman
Ruslan Fedotenko….The Battletank


Basics
Player Name: Eric Godard
How Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 1st
Position: Right Wing
Age: 28
Contact Situation: Signed thru 2010-11 season, $750,000 cap hit per season

History
Last Season Stats: (Calgary Flames) 74 games played, 1 goal, 1 assist for 2 points, 171 PIMs (17 fights)
Last Season Write-up: From the sound of what Calgary fans said, Godard played his role fairly well last season....He only played about 4:42 a game, so not much offense was expected or given....Godard ran into the man he'll replace (at about half the price) and did reasonably well.
Career Year Stats: (2004-05 with Bridgeport Sound Tigers [AHL]) 75 gp, 7g, 11a = 18p 295 PIMs. We use this year because it was the lockout and the AHL was of strong competition. Well that and Godard has 3 goals and 5 assists in 200 career NHL games, so there isn't much of a high point there

Outlook
Player progressing, in prime or regressing: Godard is in his prime. He's 28 and as strong as he'll ever be.
Potential line-mates: Kris Beech, Jeff Taffe, Ryan Stone, any other 4th line winger
"Best case scenario" stats: 82 games played 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, 170 PIMs (hey we don't expect much offensively but how Godard can keep the heat off the skill guys will be important and interesting to watch now that the ultimate deterrent, Laraque, is gone.)
Notes: Here's Godard's fight card for last year, of which hockeyfights voters say Godard was 5 wins, 8 losses and 4 draws....Much different than Laraque's flawless record, but if you look at the quality of competition that Godard dropped the mits with (Derek Boogaard twice, Laraque, George Parros twice, DJ King, Scott Parker) it's clear that he's willing to stand up to the tough customers. And that's more important in most cases than a win or a draw.
Interesting fact: Not really that interesting compared to some of the links we have above, but Godard was traded from Florida to the New York Islanders in 2002 for a draft pick that turned into NHL'er Greg Campbell....Also, the only goal Godard scored last year (against Nashville) turned out to be a game-winner. So there's that.