11.   He was their best defenseman for season after season.

12.   I talked to a lot of people in Finland and got great reports that he was the best defenseman in Finland last year.

13.   Konstantinov is the best defenseman in the series, although Paul Coffey of Philadelphia may be the best skater and attacking defenseman off the rush.

14.   Schneider was third on the Islanders in scoring this year, and was their best defenseman.

15.   Rob Blake of Los Angeles won the Norris trophy for best defenseman.

16.   The best defensemen left are Eric Weinrich and Mathieu Schneider.

17.   The Canadiens signed their best defenseman, VLADIMIR MALAKHOV, to a two-year contract Friday.

18.   The Devils nullified him with the help of Scott Stevens, their captain and best defenseman.

19.   The Ducks were also missing David Karpa, one of their best defenseman, because of torn chest muscle.

20.   The Kings did it even though Rob Blake, their best defenseman, was sent back to Los Angeles that afternoon because of a sore left knee.