21.   Vladimir Malakhov of Montreal, the best defenseman, will probably boycott the team.

22.   Blake, named the best defenseman in the Winter Olympics when he played for Canada, has spent his eight NHL seasons in Los Angeles.

23.   Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues won the Norris Trophy as best defenseman, while his boss, Joel Quenneville, took the Adams as top coach.

24.   Konstantinov is one of three finalists for the James Norris Trophy for best defenseman.

25.   Losing Ohlund, one of the best Swedish defenseman, would be another blow for Sweden.

26.   With Sweden boasting the best defensemen lineup here, this could be his moment to shine.