NHL's Top Ten Bluelines

Dion Phaneuf crosses the line just enough to be feared but not enough to be suspended. He is a monster on both ends of the ice, and would be the first skater to build a roster around because he is young enough to be a fixture and experienced enough to be counted on. Robyn Regehr is a leader who can be counted on the be in the right place on both ends, and is elite in his own end. A-

Cory Sarich is a beast defencively (witness the hit on Patrick Marleau that may have inevitably cost the Sharks a deep playoff run) with championship experience. Adrian Aucoin is a great power play quarterback who is decent defencively and highly experienced. B

Mark Giordano is a young, up-and-coming defenceman who can play on both ends. The Flames have several players he could be paired with; my guess is it will be split between Rhett Warrener (a solid, experienced defender) and Jim Vandermeer (an enforcer who even played wing last season). C+

Whichever of the above is usually scratched and Anders Eriksson (a serviceable player on both ends) make this the best “fourth” pair in the league. C-

3. The Detroit Red Wings unit is as good 1-4 as anyone but Anaheim. Rating: 7.7

Nicklas Lidstrom was considered the best in the NHL last year (I would take Niedermayer) because he is fantastic on both ends. Niklas Kronwall has really come into his own, landing crushing hits in the playoffs to back up a dangerous shot. Both will play on power play and penalty kill. A

Brian Rafalski is ideal for the post-lockout NHL rules: a great skater and puck mover with a good shot. He has experience and understands the defencive end well from all his years in New Jersey. Brad Stuart has never been the same since the cheap shot leveled by Jody Shelley (who ironically is now with the Sharks), but he has a good shot, moves the puck well, and is at least solid in his own end. Both players will see time on the power play. B

Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja are solid defenders yet not liabilities on the offencive side of the rink. They now have valuable playoff experience, too. C+

Kyle Quincey has been called upon in playoff situations and is at least solid on the defencive end. Beyond him it gets dicey, with coach Mike Babcock probably needing to rely on Derek Meech or Jonathan Ericsson, who have played 44 games with 4 points and a -8 between them. D-

4. The Chicago Blackhawks made the jump to the top tier this summer. Rating: 7.6

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