1.   Also out was Mark Tinordi, their best defenseman, with his second concussion in recent weeks.

2.   Ask around the league who the best defenseman in the NHL is, and Stars captain Hatcher gets mentioned a lot.

3.   Blake has the talent to be considered among the best defensemen in the NHL.

4.   But even without its best defenseman, Detroit finished with the third-best record this season.

5.   But right now, would you say they are our two best defensemen?

6.   But this award is not for best offensive defenseman, but best overall.

7.   Candidates for the Norris trophy, given to the best defenseman, are Niklas Lidstrom of Detroit, Rob Blake of Los Angeles and Chris Pronger of St. Louis.

8.   Desjardins has been their best defenseman, leading the attack on the resurgent power line.

9.   Galanov probably is the best offensive defenseman on the roster but has made several errant passes in his own end.

10.   Hatcher might well be the best defensive defenseman in the NHL.