I've always had a deep amount of respect for Brind'amour, even going back to his days in Philly. He's the epitome of what a hockey player should be.

As a fan, I really like our defensive duos, composed of Radek Bonk and Mike Johnson. Both are incredible PK'ers, great instinct on defense, know how to get out of trouble in the defensive zone; even Mike Johnson has a good scoring touch, which allow him to replace someone on the top-2 lines if necessary.

But the best defensive player off all-time is in my opinion Dave Keon, of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played in the 60's and part of the 70's. This guy wasn't very tall (5'9) and didn't weight much (160 pounds) in a very tough NHL, where physical play was much important. Well Keon was able to counterfeit that by his blazing speed, anticipation and intelligence, which allow him to be Maple Leafs most important players in the 1960's. He didn't scored much, as he only surpass 30 goals twice in his career, but with his great defensive awareness, he was able to steal opponents goals, without wearing the ''big brown pads''. Moreover, he's one of the cleanest hockey player to ever play. Most of his hockey years, he only drawn one or two penalties on an entire hockey schedule, which was about 70 games at this time.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisp...5B%5D=2691

Scoring shorthanded goals doesn't necessarily make you a good defensive forward. Staal isn't a regular penalty killer but when the canes need a goal they'll put him out and look to spring him on a shorthanded break.

I've always liked Dave Keon as well. There's that great picture of him holding The Stanley Cup as the Captain of the Leafs. For some reason, I've always really liked that picture.

Hmm, perhaps you're really a leafs fan at heart lol

I agree with Axelsson, but thats mostly because i am a bruins fan

For a while my favorite Eastern Conference team was The Leafs, but now I think it's The Sabres...of course when Anaheim and Buffalo meet in the SCF, The Sabres become Public Enemy Number 1.

I would have to go with Chris Drury the guy is great both ways he can score obviously in 6 of his first 7 seasons over 20 goals. He is also the Sabres best penalty killer. I dont think he measures up to what Brind'amour has done but hes certainly up for consideration.

Has Drury ever been nominated for the selke? As far as I can remember he hasn't. I don't see him as one of the top defensive forwards in the league, he's certainly solid but not up there with Brindy, Lehtinen, Fisher etc.