They are as rare as a four leaf clovers: rearguards who are prolific at amassing both points and penalty minutes. In fact, there are only 10 blueliners we would classify as "power defensemen" (averaging a minimum of .60 points and approximately a penalty minute per game over the last three seasons). Let's take a look at these very valuable rearguards:
Dion Phaneuf (Calgary)
It's hard to believe that Phaneuf, who plays like a 12-year veteran, is only 23 years old. Over the past three campaigns the Flames' defenseman has averaged an outstanding .65 points and 1.53 penalty minutes per game, and what's even more remarkable is that he is getting better each season. Phaneuf is now the pre-eminent power defenseman in the league.
Zdeno Chara (Boston)
The behemoth Bruin blueliner may be a little shy on points (.60 points per game since 2005-06 campaign) but he makes up for it with his penalty minute output (1.53 penalty minutes per game since 2005-06). Chara is as reliable as they come in the power defenseman department.
Pronger is the complete package, averaging .73 points and 1.24 penalty minutes per game. That kind of production wins you hockey pools.
U.S. & World
Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh)
Many unenlightened fantasy hockey participants assume that Gonchar is strictly a point-producing defenseman. Although it is true that he is perhaps the NHL's best scoring blueliner (.81 points per game since 2005-06), he also gets his share of penalties (1.01 penalty minutes per game over the last three seasons). As such, many argue that Gonchar, not Phaneuf, is the most valuable fantasy defenseman in the NHL.
Sheldon Souray (Edmonton)
If only Souray could stay healthy, he would be right up there with Chara and Pronger in the power defensemen rankings. Unfortunately, for him he and those who draft him he plays with such reckless abandon, he can't help but get hurt. When he does get into the lineup, he is quite productive (.62 points and 1.58 penalty minutes per game over the last three campaigns).
Bryan McCabe (Florida)
It's a shame he will be remembered in Toronto for his many defensive gaffes, because as a fantasy defenseman, he has few peers. In 209 games from 2005-08, McCabe has averaged an impressive .71 points and 1.48 penalty minutes per game. McCabe, who was mercifully booed at the Air Canada Centre, is hockey pool hero at draft tables all over the world.
Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim)
As is the case with Gonchar, Niedermayer is considered by many to be merely an offensively-minded defenseman who does not regularly visit the sin bin. Nothing could be further from the truth, as his 198 penalty minutes in his last 209 games will attest. Combine that with his stellar scoring production (.75 points per game since 2005-06) and you have a very desirable fantasy commodity.
Mathieu Schneider (Anaheim)
Although his numbers tailed off playing third fiddle with the Ducks last season (behind Pronger and Niedermayer) he still should be considered one of the NHL's elite power rearguards. If Schneider is traded to a team in need of a power-play quarterback, as is rumored, he will likely be able to produce .73 points and .98 penalty minutes per contest as he has for the last three seasons.
Ed Jovanovski (Phoenix)
Jovocop is another player who, if he could stay out of sick bay, would rank higher on this list. That said, when he does play, Jovanovski is extremely effective, averaging .63 points and 1.09 penalty minutes per game over the last three years.
Philippe Boucher (Dallas)
The Stars' veteran is poised for a comeback season after an injury-riddled 2007-08 campaign. We would not all be surprised if Boucher approached his three-year average of .60 points and 1.15 penalty minutes per game this upcoming season.
