NHL Playoffs 2012: Top Ten Blue Collar Forwards through the Conference Finals
Who are the players who make hits, block shots, take the puck from the other team and minimize turnovers that help to carry their teams through the grind that is the Stanley Cup playoffs?
These players create opportunities for the superstars through their fearless play along the boards, in the corners and in front of the net. Without enough blue-collar players in a franchise’s lineup, it surely will not have the chance to lift the Stanley Cup.
This list is based on statistics from the 2012 NHL playoffs. We place value on hits, blocked shots and takeaways on this list.
Let’s take a look at the top ten NHL blue-collar forwards from the Conference Semi-Finals.
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#10 Daymond Langkow |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 16 | 34 | 17 | 3 | 6 |
| After sitting out most of the 2010-11 NHL season with a neck injury Langkow moved from Calgary to Phoenix. He has shown that while he does not put up as many points as he did in the past, this grey bearded veteran is a valuable player to his team. | ||||
|
#9 Trevor Lewis |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 14 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| The former first round pick and 2006 USHL player of the year has had a hard time showing his offensive flair at the pro level. He is now 25 and appears to be molding his game into a valuable blue collar bottom six type player. | ||||
|
#8 Dainius Zubrus |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 18 | 56 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| The 33 year old Zubrus is very durable and has played in 79 or more regular season games in 4 of the past 5 years. He also contributed 3 goals thus far in the Devils run to the Cup Final. | ||||
|
#7 Taylor Pyatt |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 16 | 48 | 20 | 2 | 2 |
| The former 8th overall draft choice in 1999 by the New York Islanders offensive game has not developed as they had thought it would. But the Coyotes have reaped the benefits of his transformation into a solid bottom six forward. | ||||
|
#6 Antoine Vermette |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 16 | 57 | 18 | 6 | 1 |
| Acquired at the trade deadline from Columbus, Vermette proved to be a good acquisition for the Coyotes and one that I am sure they would like to keep around long term. | ||||
|
#5 Brian Boyle |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 17 | 60 | 17 | 3 | 2 |
| The former member of the NCAA East First All-American Team (2007) was a physical force for the Rangers in these playoffs. His prowess in the faceoff circle was another valuable addition to his game. | ||||
|
#4 Dustin Brown |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 14 | 67 | 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Brown had another good series against the Coyotes and has found himself the center of some controversy. At the end of the day winning appears to be all he is focused on now and he will be a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate for the Kings. | ||||
|
#3 Martin Hanzal |
||||
|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 12 | 57 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
| Hanzal has shown Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney that he is a key contributor for this team. This is largely why he was signed to a $3.1 million extension through the 2016-17 NHL season. | ||||
|
#2 Shane Doan |
||||
|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 16 | 79 | 11 | 7 | 13 |
| Doan proved this year that he is built for the playoffs. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of the Coyotes and deep runs into the post season. They will need to resign Doan this offseason and that should not be a problem if they stay in Arizona. | ||||
|
#1 Ryan Callahan |
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|
GP |
HITS |
BKS |
GVA |
TKA |
| 14 | 63 | 23 | 7 | 12 |
| Callahan again claims tops stop on this list. His play throughout the playoffs proved why he is the Rangers captain. He is a cornerstone of this franchise and look for them to reload and come back stronger next season with Callahan steering the heart and soul of this team. | ||||
