NHL's Top 10 Undersized Players and Why We Love Them

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We all know the saying, "It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog."

The words never rang truer than they do in the National Hockey League. After all, the league's best player, Wayne Gretzky, was deemed undersized.

While we idolize giants and larger-than-life figures, sometimes it's the smallest athletes that can make the biggest difference.

With the new rule changes, it's become even more prevalent for players of below average physique to flourish in the National Hockey League.

It has always been customary to root for the underdog, so fans quickly grow admiration for these pocket-sized warriors.

Here are the top 10 undersized NHLers and why we love them.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Martin St. Louis

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Height: 5'9"

Weight: 177 pounds

Martin St. Louis has become the poster boy for undersized players in the NHL. He's done it all. He's got a Stanley Cup, an Art Ross Trophy and a Hart Memorial Trophy.

Not only has he performed in the NHL, he's done it at the highest level possible.

Buffalo Sabres: Nathan Gerbe

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Height: 5'5"

Weight: 178 pounds

Nathan Gerbe is the smallest player in the NHL, but that hasn't stopped him from bursting onto the scene in Buffalo.

Gerbe played a vital role down the stretch last season when the Sabres made a postseason push. He scored 16 goals in the final 39 games of the regular season.

He's proved why he was a Hobey Baker finalist during his playing days at Boston College.

Montreal Canadiens: Brian Gionta

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Height: 5'7"

Weight: 173 pounds

Brian Gionta has not allowed his size to get in the way of becoming a good hockey player and a great leader.

He has been one of the more productive American players despite battling injuries. There may be a lot of players bigger than Gionta, but few are quicker.

Philadelphia Flyers: Daniel Briere

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Height: 5'10"

Weight: 181 pounds

Another very well-known "little guy" is Daniel Briere. Briere's career took off in Buffalo where he co-captained the team with Chris Drury.

Now he is one of the top scorers for the Philadelphia Flyers. With the departures of fellow centers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, Briere will have to elevate his game despite being vertically challenged.

Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane

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Height: 5'10"

Weight: 178 pounds

Patrick Kane is the pride of Buffalo and New York hockey. He has one Stanley Cup, one Calder Memorial Trophy and was the first-overall pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft.

Not bad for a guy under six feet tall. And at just 22, he still has plenty of potential, so expect a lot more to come.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Steve Sullivan

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Height: 5'8"

Weight: 161 pounds

Even if he's a little on the short side, Steve Sullivan's career certainly has not been. Sullivan has been in the NHL since 1995 and has shown few signs of slowing down.

Sullivan isn't a guy who gets a lot of press, but he's certainly someone who can help a team win.

Montreal Canadiens: Mike Cammalleri

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Height: 5'9"

Weight: 182 pounds

Mike Cammalleri is another promising young and undersized star. Cammalleri has steadily increased his offensive output and much more should be expected to come.

If Cammalleri can elevate his game to become a top scorer, the Canadiens could find themselves atop the Eastern Conference.