Though it has become a major arguing point in the great "NHL needs more scoring" debate, blocking shots is still very much a part of the game. Every team does it and the players that do it on the regular are as tough as they come. They are constantly putting themselves at risk of injury and almost certainly require ice bags after every game regardless.
Then there's what happened to Daniel Winnik of the Washington Capitals Thursday night. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder why these guys ever drop to the ice as their opponent winds up.