NHL Predictions 2011-12: Power Ranking the Top 12 Defensive Pairings in Hockey

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It's always been said that the best way to build a hockey team is from the back end. That means that after securing a franchise goaltender, the focus shifts to building a solid defensive corps. 

In today's NHL, constructing a defensive unit not only takes size and toughness but also a touch of finesse and mobility.

Some NHL franchises have done quite a job creating fierce and efficient blue-line tandems. Now it's time to take a look at the 12 best potential pairings around the league.

Of course, this is contingent upon what lineup each coach constructs. For now, let's have some fun and put together the best duos possible. 

Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty & Jack Johnson

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The Los Angeles Kings are coming into the NHL season as a legitimate contender to win the Stanley Cup.

Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson are no small part of these accolades. A pairing of Doughty from Canada and Johnson from USA brings together the best North America has to offer.

These two blueliners are a great example of what new NHL defensemen look like. They've got it all: puck-handling ability, size, physicality and they can skate.

Buffalo Sabres: Christian Ehrhoff & Tyler Myers

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This is a new tandem that many fans in Buffalo are excited to see step on the ice together for the games that matter.

Both Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers are incredibly talented offensively and are known to jump on the rush at any moment's time.

The scariest part of this equation is Tyler Myers still has plenty of room to get even better.

Detroit Red Wings: Nicklas Lidstrom & Nicklas Kronwall

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Not quite Swedish twins, but a pairing of Swedes named Nicklas come in next on the list. The Red Wings organization has always had a knack for scouting and developing players from Sweden and this also holds true for the blue line.

Nicklas Lidstrom is hands down one of the greatest players to ever play the game, but Nicklas Knonwall has also been very productive over the years. 

Winnipeg Jets: Dustin Byfuglien & Tobias Enstrom

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The Winnipeg Jets may not quite be ready to contend in the NHL, but at least they have a pretty impressive line of defense.

Their best pairing would consist of Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. A lot of scouts were big on Zach Bogosian, but at the moment Tobias Enstrom has surpassed him by a wide margin.

The second half of this tandem is Byfuglien, one of the most versatile players in the entire league. Don't forget, he was playing forward for the Blackhawks.

Nashville Predators: Ryan Suter & Shea Weber

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One of the best kept defensive duos is buried down south. Ryan Suter and Shea Weber are both very talented and yet still posses some potential. 

However, Nashville Predators fans better enjoy seeing these two playing together while they still can. Because of their contract situations, this could be the last year that Weber and Suter are playing together.

A lot of hockey pundits are predicting Weber to win the James Norris Trophy this season.

Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith & Brent Seabrook

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A major reason why the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010 is because of the play of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

That same year, Keith won the James Norris Trophy while Seabrook also had a big season. With Brian Campbell and his contract shipped away to Florida, there is no doubt what the best pairing in Chicago is. 

San Jose Sharks: Brent Burns & Dan Boyle

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Another new duo fans are eager to see play together is the pairing of Brent Burns and Dan Boyle in San Jose.

The San Jose Sharks haven't been able to get over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Finals so they decided to shake things up this offseason. Part of the reconstruction plan was to solidify their defense and they've certainly done that.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Luck Schenn & Dion Phaneuf

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are slowly building a roster that will be a real threat. They've stuck to the old formula by building up their defense.

Within the last few years, they've acquired Dion Phaneuf and developed Luck Schenn. Now that Schenn is locked up for the long-term, the Leafs can focus on getting themselves a No. 1 goalie.

Montreal Canadiens: Andrei Markov & P.K. Subban

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We go from the Toronto Maple Leafs to their biggest rival in the Montreal Canadiens.The Habs have a great mix of experience and youth with Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban.

They are both very talented offensively and can go coast-to-coast in a matter of mere seconds. The sky's the limit for Subban. The Canadiens better lock him up as soon as they can.

Carolina Hurricanes: Tomas Kaberle & Joni Pitkanen

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The Carolina Hurricanes narrowly missed the playoffs last season and they are doing their best to make certain that doesn't happen again. They went out and signed Stanley-Cup-winning defenseman Tomas Kaberle.

Pairing him with incumbent blueliner Joni Pitkanen should make for quite the tandem in Carolina. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang & Brooks Orpik

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Last season, because of their defensive depth, the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to deal away Alex Goligoski for some offensive help. 

Two key components of the Penguins defense are Kris Letang and Brooks Orpik. Letang and Orpik are the perfect combination of finesse and physicality.

Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler & Lubomir Visnovsky

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A lot is made about the forward line of Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, but the Anaheim Ducks also have an exceptional defense pairing in Lubomir Visnovsky and Cam Fowler.

When all five of these players are on these ice at the same time, it spells trouble for the opposition.