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NHL's Top Ten Bluelines

by MJ Kasprzak (Senior Writer)

63

2,027 reads

Rankings/List

August 30, 2008


The blueline is a transition unit. It can be a catalyst for the offence and protect its goaltender.

The last two Stanley Cup Champions rode the two best bluelines in the game to the title. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks unit struggled to handle the forecheck, turned over the puck exposing Evgeni Nabokov, and was among the poorest point-producing units in the league. The result: they bowed out in the second round three years in a row.

In part two of this series, I analyze the top ten bluelines in the NHL. Because a team's top two defencemen play more minutes than its bottom two, I am emphasizing the unit at an approximate 40-30-20-10 ratio. The best two may not pair up, but they will be the ones getting the extra time on special teams.

Therefore, please note I am not projecting actual pairs but gauging total minutes. Furthermore, I will list a "fourth" blueline of players that may not dress but will be relied on over the course of the season due to injuries. All players are graded not for their roles, but how they rate among all defencemen.

1. The Anaheim Ducks are probably the best unit in the expansion era. Rating: 8.8

Chris Pronger (whose antics should have earned him far more suspension time) and Scott Niedermeyer are two of the three best defencemen in the league, and they're teammates. Both are outstanding on both ends of the ice, and can play a lot of minutes; both will be out on the power play and penalty kill. A+

Schneider is still elite (although rumoured to be on his way out for cap reasons) on the offencive end and solid defencively, and Francois Beauchemin is good enough on each end to be better than some teams' top defencemen. B+

Furthermore, Sean O’Donnell and Kent Huskins (+23 last season!) are solid blueliners who can handle their defencive responsibilities. C+

After 1-6, this squad is hurting. They picked up Steve Montador, who is a solid defender with playoff experience that I am projecting will not start often except due to injury or suspension of Pronger. However, the only other defenceman on the roster with NHL experience is Brennan Evans, who played two games for the Flames in the 2003-2004 season. D-

2. The Calgary Flames have the deepest and strongest unit in their own end. Rating: 8

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63 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. James Gunton 10 months ago

    Edmonton has to be on that top 10 list with Visnovsky, Souray and Gilbert. Grebeshkov emerged as a top 4 talent last year. Staois can't crack the top 4 but makes a solid top back end top 6. The final spot moves between Smid (young talent that hasn't developed yet) and Strudwick when the games get difficult.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Thanks for commenting.

      They were considered for #10, but the Rangers have more playoff experience and have to go up against a higher volume of scoring forwards, so I gave them the edge. Not one of those guys is a stud, and with the weight on the top 4, I just couldn't put the Oilers in there. It's really pretty tight after the top five, though.

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  2. Aaron Brenker 10 months ago

    Great article, Losing Whitney will hurt Pittsburgh's defense, but they still got lots of veterans and up and comers defensively. Once Whitney comes back their defense will be even better.

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  3. Spencer Callaghan 10 months ago

    Now in this one the Ducks definitely deserve #1, which is exactly why I didn't think they deserved #1 in goaltending.

    A defence this good makes any goaltender look great.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I'll grant you that, but I'll still take the guy who has won a Cup just two years ago and a Conn Smythe in net over almost anyone. And did you see those stats I listed for Hiller in the comments of the other article? Great for a backup...

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  4. Benjamin Trottier 10 months ago

    The two first teams on your list were not even able to get through first round of last year playoffs...

    And you have 3 teams on your list that were not even able to make playoff last year...

    And you're telling me Montreal is not even there at all ?

    I guess we are not watching the same game...

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    • Ryan Powell 10 months ago

      Montreal lost to the Flyers, where as Calgary lost to San Jose....point taken

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    • Matt Eichel 10 months ago

      I was thinking the same thing, but Montreal's blueline is a bit young too. Guys like Gorges, O'Byrne, and Komi are only to get better as their careers go along. As of right now, they rely heavily on the goaltending as they have for the last 20 years. Once these guys mature a bit more they'll have a stellar defense that will be in the top 10.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I guess not. You realize the blueline is not the only unit on the ice, and a team can have a better blueline and still lose, right? The Montreal blueline you touted nearly lost in the first round despite being the #1 seed. And you also realize that I am analyzing THIS year's blueline, right? Florida would not have been anywhere near this list last year, but they UPGRADED. You know teams can do that, right, Mr. Snotty?

      I love hearing from those of you who, because you can't, criticize us who can. Where's your list, and can you back it up with the kind of detail I did? Didn't think so.

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  5. Zack Lipot 10 months ago

    Absolutely lets just forget to mention Chelios who is expected to re sign with the wings. Do you think hes a newbie with little experience to bring to the 4th pair! Do you know anything about the Red Wings???

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I could only go by who is on the team. Otherwise I am not analyzing the unit, but a unit I think might happen. Teams will make moves in the coming weeks--perhaps you expect me to be what Hawkeye Pierce called a "physic:" one who can predict future movements...

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  6. Alan Bass 10 months ago

    I agree with this MJ, and anyone who says that the Ducks' defense is not the best in the league is just wrong

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  7. george katergaris 10 months ago

    Holy Crappers! Is this based on your EA NHL 2008 season or something? There should be no reason why chicago, florida, and phoenix should be on that list. Where is Montreal who's top defensive unit includes an allstar and whos partner is top 2 in hits and top in block shots. Not trying to be a homer but respect is rightly deserved and should be called for. Seriously, FLorida????PHoenix??? I couldn't even fathom what your other articles would illustrate.

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    • Aaron Brenker 10 months ago

      Florida and Phoenix both have solid defenses, you can't just go by past seasons and records, both of promising defenses.

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    • Aaron Brenker 10 months ago

      Oh and Chicago's d is to ten this year. Campbell and Keith are great, the n you got veteran presence with Seabrook and Sopel. Things are definitely looking up for the Black hawks.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I do not buy the EA--I recommend the Sega (used to be ESPN), but the last version I will ever need is the one that has Joe on the cover (2K7).

      Seriously, how can you NOT think Chicago is on this list with that personnel? Do you watch anyone other than Montreal? I thought about putting them on the list at #10, along with a host of others (namely Vancouver, Edmonton, and Philadelphia). But Phoenix has had a great defense and it would have led them to the playoffs were they not playing studs Detroit, Dallas, San Jose, and Anaheim for over a third of the season. And if you know the personnel, you cannot argue with Florida getting two of the 'Yotes in a trade or the replacements Phoenix signed.

      As for what my other articles illustrate, read them for yourself. But keep in mind while you are poo-pooing me, I am a top ten writer on the NHL on this site for a reason.

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  8. Keith Lundquist 10 months ago

    i like the list, but i feel that the canucks deserve a spot. they get overlooked because they don't have a lidstrom, pronger, or phaneuf. it's a very solid defense because the d-men get the job done. Luongo depends on them just as much as they depend on luongo. Salo, Ohlund, Mitchell, Bieksa, Edler, and Krajicek are all capable of being a top-3 d-man.

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  9. Jason Chen 10 months ago

    The Preds should get a nod before the Coyotes. The Preds have always had a very well-rounded defensive corps, led by youngsters Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. No doubt losing Timonen and Zidlicky hurt over the years, but they have more than enough youth and talent on the back end to make up for it.

    As mentioned by Keith the Canucks also boast a quite solid group of 6.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Gotta disagree there. I know the preds really well (assuming you're a fan of theirs, you know all too well why...), and they would have made this list WITH Timonen and Zidlicky, but not without them. Suter and Weber are great, but not All-Stars. They no longer have the depth to compensate for the lack of all-stars to elevate them on a list of best bluelines.

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  10. Owen Munro 10 months ago

    So, where exactly are the 'Nucks. Ohlund, Salo, Bieska, Mitchell, as well as up and comers in Edler, Krajicek and the extremely gritty Rob Davison. We have a ton have depth as well.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      No argument there--nearly put them on and they might be as good as the Rangers--10-13 were pretty much toss-ups in my book.
      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  11. Darius Schwartz 10 months ago

    Kyle McLaren cannot go to the monors as he does not have a two-way contract.

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    • Warren Twocock 10 months ago

      A "one way contract" does not preclude a player from being sent to the minors, it simply means he gets paid at his NHL contract while he's in the minors.

      I still doubt San Jose will resort to attempting to send McLaren to the minors but his contract doesn't stop them if they want to.

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    • Scott Fitzsimmons 10 months ago

      Well, it means that he has to clear waivers first if he gets sent down. Then he makes his NHL salary.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Exactly my point--if they send him down he must clear waivers. If someone claims him, the Sharks can use the money they save from getting out of that contract to sign a cheaper but still serviceable replacement. If he clears, we have to pay him but don't have to count his salary to the cap.

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  12. Todd Morse 10 months ago

    Montreal, Ottawa & Buffalo all are way better than 7-10.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Montreal is one of the four teams I had 10-13, too tight to call. But Ottawa just lose Mezsaros, already lost Redden, and lost Chara a couple years ago. They just don't have the personnel anymore. Buffalo has lost their two best from their deep playoff run a couple years back (Campbell to trade and Numminen to age/health). They're good, but not even in that 10-13 range.

      Meanwhile, if you don't think the Stars are top tier, you don't know those players. That is a VERY good blueline. Florida made moves to add two very solid defencemen, so they absolutely belong.

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    • Todd Morse 10 months ago

      Well, if you really think Numminen was a critical piece, he is back, and they just added Rivet. Tallinder and Lydman had an off season last year but are easily a top ten #1 pairing in the league, Spacek, Rivet, Sekera and Wilson are all very good.

      Ottawa did get Kuba in return for Meszaros, and added Jason Smith as well. Phillips and Volchenkov are also both very underrated defenseman.

      I felt this list was purely just based on names more than actual talent.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Buffalo lost Kalinin and replaced him with Rivet. Craig was one of my favourite players here (have an autographed puck), but he is slow and we had to protect against that. Kuba is even slower, and speed is such an asset in the post-lockout game.

      If this was based on names, I would not have the Pens so high. But you are right that it is not based on talent, it's based on a combination of talent, experience, and leadership in that order. The Sharks have had a lot of talent on their blueline in recent years, but it broke down under pressure. You need the other two components to compliment talent.

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  13. philip bottfeld 10 months ago

    Montreal??? Ottawa?? Buffalo?? Are you kidding me????

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  14. TJ Ferguson 10 months ago

    i kinda figured the rangers would be higher and i think you have the blackhawks and the penguins a bit too high.

    and why are the coyotes and panthers even on this list? boumeester is on his way out the door and both squads are cellar dwellars

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Actually, with Whitney's injury another mentioned, I agree the Pens are too high. Even though he should be back before the trade deadline (or so I am told), that has to hurt the unit's continuity and chemistry just enough to move them down to 8 or 9. I missed that injury, and it hurt the integrity of this list.
      I also have not heard anything (including from a Panthers writer on this site) about Bouwmeester being on his way out, but if that is the case please educate me with a link to something that substantiates that and I would take them off this list--not that I would re-write the article.

      As for the Rangers, I could just as easily have listed them lower with competition like Vancouver and Montreal in their league. I also remind you that a team being cellar-dwellars does not preclude them from having a good blueline. No one can question that Vancouver has among the best goalies in the league, but they had a similar record to Florida's last year. Plus, I am not gauging LAST year's line, but this year's, so even if a good blueline and non-playoff team were exclusive, we don't know where they will finish.

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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    • TJ Ferguson 10 months ago

      i was saying boumeester was on his way out b/c he will likely not be resigning with the panthers, and b/c of this, it is very likely they will trade him by the deadline to get something in return.

      maybe there has been something different over the past couple weeks, but considering i haven't seen or heard anything about him since i heard he wasn't happy in florida, i am assuming he will be leaving

      i don't have any links, but i remember hearing a lot about this earlier in the summer, when the panthers were trying to extend his contract, and while i think he was a RFA, he did extend one season, so he is a UFA next season.

      so unless there is a miracle season in florida, i see boumeester being moved like atlanta moved hossa last season, thus taking a lot out of their blueline

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Yeah, but right now they have him, and that's what I have to go on. I can't rate the blueline I think a team may have, since future moves are too unpredictable--I'm not what Hawkeye Pierce called a "physic" in M*A*S*H--one who predicts future movements! (I love that show and character, so thanks for giving me an excuse to repeat that joke!)

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  15. george katergaris 10 months ago

    "But Phoenix has had a great defense and it would have led them to the playoffs were they not playing studs Detroit, Dallas, San Jose, and Anaheim for over a third of the season. And if you know the personnel, you cannot argue with Florida getting two of the 'Yotes in a trade or the replacements Phoenix signed".... didn't they trade two of their top defensemen for Jokinen???????And they made your cut? And just for the record Montreals's D is better than your 4-10 choices.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I appreciate your opinion and the fact that you have also read the comments. But the reason Phoenix still makes the list is they have replaced those guys with two solid defenders (Jones and Hale) and still have their best two (Eddy Jo and D-Mo).
      And there is NO WAY Montreal is higher than the Blackhawks with their upgrades. Campbell is better than anyone on that roster, and Keith as good as any of them. You have Markov and Hamrlik who are very good, O'Byrne who I grant you MAY get to that level this year, and three guys who are only useful on one end of the ice: Komisarek, Gorges, and Bouillon. Not a blueline in the top seven under any circumstances.

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  1. Rafal Ladysz 10 months ago

    wheres brent seabrook for the hawks? he's gonna be a top defenseman soon enough

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  2. Eric K 10 months ago

    Whitney's injury will sideline him 3-5 months from the time of his surgery, which was in the middle of August. Best case scenario, he's back by the end of November, worst case scenario, he's back by mid-January.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Okay, I don't feel so bad about listing them this high, then. He'll have plenty of time to come back and gel with his mates in time for the playoffs.

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  3. george katergaris 10 months ago

    West coast bias much? What exactly is the criteria for your choices??? I still don't really understand your logic. Apart from your top three and potentially Chicago, I get lost. You illustrate Phoenix but their D last year was a combined -17 for the entire season (And that is with the two top d players they just traded)?? Is it potential, points, +/-...???

    Fyi, you mispelled "defensive" throughout. As a top 10 nhl writer, the least you can do is use spell check for your audience.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I did NOT misspell defencive--that is the Canadian spelling, dolt! Before you accuse someone, you may want to think about why no editor changed that through over 500 reads! And get out of your mom's basement a little more to experience the world so you learn how others see it.

      And yes, the West has the best defenCemen: this is not a bias, it is a fact. When I write the Top Ten Forwards, will you accuse me of an East Coast bias because there are more top units over there? Oh, but the reality is four of the ten are in the East and another in the Eastern Time Zone (Detroit is certainly not West Coast).

      FYI, +/- is not the sole determinant of play on the blueline: they had little forward support and were among the lowest scoring teams in the league, making every goal they gave up that much more significant. In case you didn't notice, they were above the demarcation line for team defense.

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  4. Aaron Brenker 10 months ago

    The Pens still have solid D even without Whitney so they belong in the top ten in my opinion, and about Bouwmeester he is definitetly not going anywhere until at least the trade deadline. If the Panthers can put together a playoff run Bouwmeester will be more likely to sign another extension. Martin seems confident he can keep him.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Thanks for clarifying, and yeah even if Whitney was out this whole season, I would probably leave them in the top ten.

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  5. Benjamin Trottier 10 months ago

    ''Campbell is better than anyone on that roster'' (Montreal)

    Well, if take a second to go and check the stats...

    You will find out about Andrei Markov this:

    Career -- GP493 G62 P203 P265 +/-20

    Go check the stats of Campbell now:

    Career -- GP411 G35 P160 P195 +/-2

    If you make an average, Markov got better stats...

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Campbell is better now, and that's what I'm rating. But I have to admit that the stats were closer than I thought--BC had four more points and was +7 higher, but had eight fewer goals.

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  6. Todd Morse 10 months ago

    I also think Columbus's D is going to be good

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  7. Jean Gareau 10 months ago

    Hey MJ,
    why do you abuse anyone with a critical comment? Grow a thicker skin. Don't be so defencive.

    JG in Montreal.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      I haven't abused anyone who didn't first disrespect me. If you look at comments to James, Keith, Jason, Owen, Todd, TJ, and Rafal, there was no disrespect in either direction. Even Zach, who derided me for not considering Chelios even though he was not even on the roster got a decent response.
      And in fact, there were only two I did "abuse" in contrast to those eight I did not.

      I rebuke those who deride because I will not tolerate this modern era of disrespecting the person you disagree with, especially since most of them are "hit-and-run" commenters who will never give a darn about the site. I was an enforcer in the game and I carry that mentality into my writing--I am a member of Ranter Banter Central on this site, a loose confederacy of writers who admonish those who try to deride or censor others.
      Benjamin dismissed my opinion when he said "I guess we're not watching the same game." When he backed it up later with facts instead of derision, I acknowledged that while I still think Campbell is better, Markov is closer than I thought. George said "Holy Crappers! Is this based on EA...?" AND derided me for incorrect spelling because I used the English spelling, so anything he got from me he had coming.

      Thanks for reading, and I sincerely hope you don't feel my standing up for my approach here was in any way abusive to you. I also want you to know that I accept your right to feel that even the 20% of responses that were abusive are wrong--some people do not support enforcers on the ice, either, but that's what I do.

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  8. Benjamin Trottier 10 months ago

    ''Campbell is better now, and that's what I'm rating.''

    How can you say Campbell is better now, what make him better now than he was last year ?

    And why now ? Cause some desparate GM just signed him for a lot of money ?

    Well, Buffalo let him go...

    Than, San Jose let him go...

    And now what, he's with a team full of hope, for sure, but why was he so great in the first place, in Buffalo ?

    Maybe it was the kind-of-play system, or the coach, or maybe both ?

    Go figure man...

    But there's still one thing... He haven't prove nothing yet with the Blackhawks...

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      As I said, he had more points and a better +/- despite playing most of the season for a non-playoff team. But like I also said, they are closer than I thought. As for why Buffalo let him go, it was because they were going to lose him. San Jose let him go because they could not compete with the money thrown at Campbell--if it's about how much bang for the buck, the edge DEFINITELY goes to Markov (unleass he's making over $6 mil, which I doubt).

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    • Benjamin Trottier 10 months ago

      Well,

      Campbell is surely a great defense player...

      Buffalo let him go because they are some fucking cheap hockey team...

      Aren't they supposed to be own by a bilionnaire or some by now... What's his name again ?

      For San Jose, it a little bit more weird, they let Campbell go to give 5 millions right after that to Rob Blake, I mean, Rob was good with the Avs but he's surely not a number one anymore... Why ?

      Don't believe the hype man, Campbell is good, but to me, he's simply no Sergei Zubov kind of quaterback people think he his...

      I will take Andrei Markov instead if you give me the choice, but i'm looking to next season for him to prove me wrong...

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  9. Benjamin Trottier 10 months ago

    Anyway...

    Let's move on and change subject...

    We will have plenty of time in a month or so to talk about that again...

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  10. Anders Edling 10 months ago

    There is no way Anaheim and Mr. Infidelity are better than the Red Wings. Bringing me back to my comment on the goaltender section, Osgood and Hasek sucked but the defensive pairs were so good it didn't matter. Also, Lidstrom is better than Niedermeyer simply because they are very similar offensively but defensively Lidstrom has a physical presence that Niedermeyer cannot match.

    As far as Detroit or Anaheim, that's debatable but no way is Calgary second. Phaneuf and Regehr are overrated and they have no one else after that. Your analysis and ratings were pretty good except I think that one is way off. It was pretty easy to see that when Kiprusoff played poorly their Stanley Cup chances went out the window.

    Also, I don't know what website you are looking at but Brent Seabrook is right on the Blackhawk's roster on there own website and he is listed on the depth chart on the first pair with Keith. who is on of their top three (Campbell, Keith, Seabrook.). I think they deserve a higher rating since you made this omission.

    Very good analysis and I've enjoyed these lists so far.

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Osgood was great in the post-season. He should have won the Conn Smythe--he outplayed his counterpart in every series except PERHAPS Dallas. He barely had a bad game, whereas Zetterberg barely outperformed a couple fellow Wings' skaters.
      I would personally take the better skating Niedermayer over Lidstrom, but I know I'm in the minority there. So here's how they rate head-to-head:
      Lidstrom SLIGHT edge over Niedermayer but Pronger small edge over Kronwall; the top two give a very slight edge to Anaheim.
      Rafalski slight edge over Schneider, since he proved to be an upgrade last year and is younger, but Beauchemin small edge over Stuart, so there again Anaheim has a very slight edge.
      Huskins AND O'Donnell have an edge over Lilja and Lebda; significant edge to Anaheim.
      The rest are the only place that favours Detroit.

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  11. Michael Wagner 10 months ago

    No mention of Brent Seabrook in the Chicago Blackhawks Blue line...ugh...

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Yeah, for some reason he was not listed on their roster when I did this, so I thought maybe I'd missed something about him leaving. He's definitely on there now, which is even more reason I can't understand people disagreeing with my inclusion of CHicago on this list.

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    • Michael Wagner 10 months ago

      Another thing I noticed is that you have Byfuliguen listed on the defense he will be the 2nd line LW this season

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    • MJ Kasprzak 10 months ago

      Really?! He's listed as a defenseman on the roster. Second line?! THat's quite a jump for a guy with his resume. Thanks for the info--I'll have to watch how that works out.

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    • Michael Wagner 10 months ago

      Yeah, Buf will be there to bash heads when Havlat and Lang are on the ice

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