1.   Although he had no goals or assists, he frequently drove toward the net and jousted with Rich Pilon, the rugged Islander defenseman.

2.   At the then-going NHL rate for Europeans, rugged defenseman Konstantinov was a bargain.

3.   Derian Hatcher, the Dallas captain and rugged defenseman, left the game in the third period with what was called a leg injury.

4.   Rich Pilon, the rugged Islanders defenseman, left the game during the second period with back spasms.

5.   Samuelsson, a rugged defenseman, would be a logical target for some of those elbows.

6.   The rugged defenseman had done a fine job on Lindros and LeClair before twisting his back trying to hit LeClair and leaving the game.

7.   This game could be even more physical than usual because Colorado has acquired rugged defenseman Darius Kasparaitis from Pittsburgh.

8.   Ulf Samuelsson, the rugged defenseman who missed two games with the after-effects of a concussion, was back in the lineup for the Rangers.

9.   For instance, a rugged Finnish defenseman who likes to mix it up will go high.