My 25 All-Time Best Defensemen | 40 YEARS WITH STAN

This is as tough as it gets.
Picking the Devils best defenseman means that I have to decide which of the two Scotts gets the Number One spot and, of course, by the inevitable process of elimination, who's the runner-up?
But that's for later because this list -- merely for melodramatic purposes --
must start from the back at 25 and then ride the expedition forward to second and then first place:
So, here goes:

23. SHELDON SOURAY:

Big, handsome and a wonderful team man, Souray had the makings of a better player than actually was on display at the Meadowlands and elsewhere. It wasn't that Shelly suffered a build-up to a letdown but more that we liked the guy so much, we just wanted more.
Sheldon's prime asset was his booming slapshot from the point. Frankly, I was disappointed that he wasn't around for a longer amount of time so that his game could be further honed to sharpness.

22. ANTON VOLCHENKOV:

His 2011-2012 campaign was encouraging and, at times, arresting. This intrepid fellow could hit hard and block shots like nobody's business. Apart from enjoying body contact, he was an experienced all-around honest blocker. For one semester he was one of the club's more threatening hitters.

21. BRYCE SALVADOR:

A reliable blue liner who worked well with Anton Volchenkov in 2011-2012, Bryce's leadership skills were recognized when the general staff named him captain for the 2012-2013 campaign. Sal was especially useful in his own end and could deliver emphatic bodychecks.
His hockey sense reached the upper echelon and, fortuitously, has since transformed his savvy to the MSG Networks Devils telecasts.

20. KEVIN DEAN:

One of the finest products of Lou Lamoriello's farm system, Kevin played an old-fashioned stay-at-home game. What he lacked in speed, Dean more than compensated for with smart moves. While never spectacular, he was a reliable fifth blue-liner. Dependability was his forte. He has since fortified his hockey knowledge behind NHL benches as an assistant coach.

19. ERIC WEINRICH:

At his best, this likable guy could give New Jersey an effective two-way game although he was prone to the occasional blunder. A good skater with a solid shot, he was part of a trade with Hartford that brought star Bobby Holik to The Meadowlands. In that sense, he helped the franchise in a great, big way.

18. JACK O'CALLAHAN:

Happy Jack was a key member of Herb Brooks' "Miracle On Ice" 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winners. What Jack lacked in size, he compensated for with enthusiasm and overall smarts. He was a part of the 1988 Devils playoff team working effectively on the power play. Jack's exuberance made him one of the most popular Devils of his era. You just loved being around this guy.

17. TOM KURVERS:

During his relatively short stint with New Jersey, Tom was appreciated for his versatility on offense and defense. Point man on the power play, Kurvers became prize trade bait throughout the National Hockey League. Lamoriello eventually dealt him to Toronto and wound up getting future Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer with the Draft pick. Kurvers was one of my favorites as both a player and a subject for an interview.

16. SHAWN CHAMBERS:

I admired this guy no end once Lou obtained him from Tampa Bay late in the 1994-95 season. The Detroit native provided additional offensive strength as well as being effective in his own end of the rink. Shawn's point slapshot late in the third period of Game Four of the 1995 Cup Final vs. Detroit effectively clinched Stanley for the Devils. I also rated Shawn the fastest post-game dresser in history! (Don't ask me how he managed to do it but he always seemed to be the first man out of the room.

15. PAUL MARTIN:

Once Scott Niedermayer exited New Jersey, the Devils sought a two-way, thoughtful blue liner whose game came close to matching Nieder's style. While nobody could be a "Second Niedermayer," Martin provided solid offense and capable defense as well. Once Paul departed for a stint with the Penguins, the team never could find a reasonable facsimile thereof.

14. JOE CIRELLA:

An original -- dating back to the Colorado Rockies -- Joltin' Joe was as steady as they came. His talents were average but always were up in the 100% effort category. Joe will never be forgotten for firing the fateful overtime shot at the Chicago net in the final regular season game of 1987-88. It resulted in a goalie Darren Pang rebound that went to John MacLean whose shot put New Jersey in the playoffs.

13. RANDY VELISCHEK:

This studious, well-liked D-man played a steady, offensive game while taking care of housekeeping on his side of the blue line. Some critics believe he deserved a better fate than being benched -- along with Craig Wolanin -- to make way for the Russian imports, Slava Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov. I liked Randy's all-around contributions and cerebral approach to the game. He later did a radio stint for the club.

12. ANDY GREENE:

A true find and -- looking backward -- it's hard to believe that this unheralded collegian free agent went undrafted. His compact physique never prevented him from playing a physical game while his natural leadership qualities eventually won Handy Andy the captaincy. Apart from his total defensive abilities, Greene has this rare radar for getting his point shots on goal better than most of the NHL's defensemen. He was a key component in the Devils march to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final against the Kings.

11. CRAIG WOLANIN:

A battleship-sized backliner, this Michigan product was a first-round pick who may have been rushed into the lineup a bit too soon. Craig often played right defense despite being a left-hand shot. His best offensive weapon was a crisp slapshot which was at its best one day against Chicago goalie Bob Mason. Winding up at center ice, Wolanin blasted the unscreened rubber past the Blackhawks goalie before he could make a move. I had never seen a laser like that scoring from such a distance. Not before and not since!

10. BRUCE DRIVER:

Cool, calm, and collected, Cousin Brucie was ever-reliable through the worst of the early seasons and eventually saw his patience rewarded. He played one of his best games in the 1988 playoff clincher in Chicago and was an essential element in 1995 when New Jersey won its first Stanley Cup. A team captain, Bruce was one of the veterans who helped gifted Scott Niedermayer become a future Hall of Famer. Driver often worked the power play and did his PP job well.

9. ADAM LARSSON:

New Jersey's first pick, fourth overall, in the 2011 Entry Draft -- same as Dougie Hamilton who was selected after him -- Larsson faced enormous pressure. Unspectacular, unlike many players who were drafted around him, Larsson never obtained complete acceptance from the fans. Others believe that his game was stunted by coach Peter DeBoer's handling although I do not share that view. However, when Ray Shero became the Devils G.M. Larsson's game soared and the club finally was able to trade him for Taylor Hall who would become a Hart Trophy-winner for New Jersey.

8. SLAVA FETISOV:

Ahead of their competition, the Devils high command sought to lure top players from the Soviet Union to New Jersey. The odds were steep but the duet of owner Dr. John McMullen and Lou Lamoriello eventually delivered. First to come was the player then known as "The Bobby Orr of Russia." That was Fetisov who had led the Soviet National team to endless victories. In his prime, Slava expertly played the 200-foot-long ice surface as well as Orr did for Boston. Heftier than the Bruin, Fetisov hit harder but scored less. As a Devil, he was in his career twilight yet played competently if not spectacularly. In this case, the Devils' general staff was rewarded for it. patience and fortitude in pursuing the best Russian stick handlers.

7. ALEXEI KASATONOV:

Not long after Fetisov split hockey's version of the Iron Curtain, his Russian defense buddy, Kasatanov, joined the Garden State sextet. Instinctively, the Devils paired them together as they had been in Mother Russia; except for one major problem. Because of their major political differences, neither Kasatonov nor Fetisov would speak to each other off the ice. Yet, they managed to coordinate well on the pond. By this time, Kasatonov had become the better player of the pair. Alexei was a smoother skater, more adept on the attack, and seemed to have a Gretzky-eye view of the ice. While not a Norris Trophy candidate, Kasatonov managed to climb to an upper echelon of NHL defenders by 1993 when Jacques Lemaire became coach.

6. COLIN WHITE:

A throwback to the days when hitting was more at a premium than in the contemporary game, this big broth of a boy emerged as a foundation of one of the franchise's best blueline cores. He was adaptable to any of his partner's styles and that extra added attraction was key to White's success. During the 2000 Stanley Cup crusade, he smoothly meshed with the European style of Vladimir Malakhov. On the third Cup-winning club, in 2003, Colin collaborated just as well with Scott Niedermayer. White also was one of the franchise's better penalty-killers. At times, Colin could be mistaken for a young Scott Stevens.

5. TOMMY ALBELIN:

Vastly underrated, Tommy's versatility knew no bounds. He could take a regular turn, kill a penalty and quarterback the power play. "Albelin," says historian Noam Kogen, "was the ultimate swing defenseman who could play the left side or right side equally well." Tommy worked defense with the same ability as he did on the attack. Coaches loved him for his teamsmanship as well as his adaptability. He was an asset to coaches Jacques Lemaire (in 1995) and Pat Burns (2003) en route to a pair of Stanley Cup championships.

4. BRIAN RAFALSKI:

What a get! Somewhat hidden because of his European stints, the Wisconsin native -- and former Badger star -- simply skated under everyone's radar; except for the Devils' Lou Lamoriello. When New Jersey signed him prior to the 1999-2000 season, the rap on Rafalski was that he was "too small" for NHL play. It was proven wrong. Brian could play in any hockey climate and was especially effective teaming with Scott Stevens. While Scott played a mostly defensive game, Brian was an expert on the attack and often played his very best game against the Rangers. For sure, neither the 2000 nor 2003 Stanley Cups could have been won without him.

3. KEN DANEYKO:

He wasn't nicknamed "Mister Devil" for nothing. The hulking hitter was an original -- drafted by New Jersey -- with them through the three championship seasons and through his retirement after the final one in 2003. No Devil gave more of his body and spirit than the Edmonton native. Always, through thick and thin, he was yet another foundation of the franchise's blueline brigade. Likewise, he was the best ice cop and perfect sidekick -- not to mention mentor -- for his defense partner, Scott Niedermayer. Apart from Ken's talent -- occasional goals and fisticuffs --, he became a fan favorite for his blue-collar spirit and style of play. Since Dano's retirement from the ice, he has been evident as a Madison Square Garden Networks tv analyst as well as with stints on the major hockey networks.

2. SCOTT NIEDERMAYER:

If a hockey craftsman could carve a template for "The Perfect Defenseman," it would follow the precise lines of Nieder. That's because everything about him was as close to perfect as could be. It ranged from his streamlined size to his extraordinarily calm demeanor and effortless skating ability to his I.Q. (Intensity Quotient) and any other elements you might want to throw into the equation. A genius on offense, Nieder is remembered for many goals but most of all a spectacular end-to-end rush against the Detroit Red Wings. It happened late in the third period of Game One in the 1995 Final. Scott capped the 200-foot sprint by taking his own rebound off the boards and then firing it past goalie Mike Vernon. It led to the first of three consecutive Stanley Cup titles. Niedermayer was a distinguished member of each one.

1. SCOTT STEVENS:

Thinking about it, I could have rated the Scotts, Number One, and Number One-A. But you get the point; the two Scotts were equally tremendous contributors and each in a vastly different way. Nieder on offense and Stevens is the quintessential all-tough defender. As a muscle-man, Stevens was king. His devastating bodychecks of Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya, et. al. have been cited as Exhibits A to Z in "How To Hit hard, Hit Clean, And Win Hockey Games." So effective was Stevens as a master blaster that his wallops tended to overshadow two elements of his game: 1. He captained three Stanley Cup winners with a blend of leadership on the ice and in the clubhouse; 2. His offensive abilities were of the highest grade and key goals over the Cup years underlined that point. If I were to nitpick a difference between two Scotts that would justify Stevens emerging on top it was that Nieder never made it to the captaincy and Scott did.
Otherwise, it's a draw!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

In the "Close But No Cigar" category, I want to tip my "Good Job" hat to Mark Fayne, Jason Smith, Chris McAlpine, and Henrik Tallinder. Good job, guys, you, too, played well.

THE CURRENT GUYS:

1. DAMON SEVERSON:
He could be high on the retired guys list but Bid D is still doing his thing and improving with age.
2. DOUGIE HAMILTON:
One of Tom Fitzgerald's best signings, Dougie has been an offensive marvel and just fine behind the blue line as well.
3. JOHN SIEGENTHALER:
Every winning team needs a shutdown defender. Johnny is another superior Fitz pick-up. Siggy improves everyone he's paired with, bar none.
4. JOHN MARINO:
It's no secret that Ryan Graves' game has gone up notches with Marino on his flank. This John could be a top banana on other teams.
5. RYAN GRAVES:
The trade with Colorado has turned out to be just swell. He's been an asset for Lindy Ruff.
(And thanks to historian Noam Kogen for his input.)