2010-11 Scott Stevens Award: Most Skilled Defenseman Fighter

[JKidd]

We've got the Neely award for the front line players, but needed to get recognition to those defensive stalwarts that play a ton during the game, provide offense or shutdown defensive play, and still find time to drop the mitts.

Nominees

Michael Komisarek - Toronto Maple Leafs - 7 fights
Komi had a disastrous season with the Leafs last year, having season ending surgery. This year, he rebounded to playing 75 games, and adding the physical presence on the back end the Leafs were hoping to get when they signed him. He had an average of over 13 minutes on the ice per game, was credited with 146 hits, and 7 fights - against notable opponents like Michael Rupp, Brandon Prust, Arron Asham and Cody McCormick.

Mark Stuart - Atlanta Thrashers / Boston Bruins - 7 fights
Stuart isn't known much for offensive flash or numbers, 6 points in 54 games is enough to tell you that. But, the physical presence and abrasive style he does bring, is what gets him a nod here. Averaging over 15 and a half minutes of game, registering 107 hits, 96 blocked shots and 7 fights against the likes of Sean Avery, Cody McCormick, B.J. Crombeen, Jean-Francois Jacques and Daniel Carcillo is what earns the Caveman a nomination for the inaugural Scott Stevens Award.

Eric Brewer - St. Louis Blues / Tampa Bay Lightning - 5 fights
Brewer has been around a long time, providing leadership, massive body checks, and providing steadfast defense in his own zone. This year, he added a few more glove drops in defense of teammates against Aaron Voros, Steve Ott, and Milan Lucic to name a few. Those fights combined with an average of 22+ minutes on the ice against the opponents top line, 145 hits and 120 blocked shots cement Brewers nomination.

Andrew Ference - Boston Bruins - 4 fights
Ference logs minutes on the Bruin blue line during just about every situation possible. This year, Ference contributed 15 points, was a +22, averaged almost 18 minutes a game, 74 hits and 82 blocked shots. Combine those with 4 solid fights against Travis Moen, Anthony Stewart, David Backes and Adam Burrish, and it's a no brainer including Ference in this year's nomination list.

Douglas Murray - San Jose Sharks - 4 fights
The man known as Crankshaft turned in one heck of a physically dominant year this year, while registering respectable offensive numbers. His bottomline includes 73 games, 14 points, 203 hits, 140 blocked shots, over 19 and a half minutes of average ice time, and 4 fights. His fight card an impressive one, Aaron Voros, Steve Ott, Kyle Clifford and Brad Winchester.

My pick

For the inaugural award, I'd like to hand it over to Eric Brewer. He really solidified the Bolts blue line upon arriving, and to play with the mean streak he did, while still playing standout defensively against the opponents top line is something awesome.

[blackngold]

I'm digging this new award. It seems long overdue.

[kam]

Brewer.


Murray should fight more, he would probably win by a landslide if he did.

[Fatt Patt]

Ference, he started the Atlanta Brawl and the 2nd Brawl of the Habs game. Not to Mention he flipped off all of the Habs fans.

I know it wouldn't be a fighting award, but biggest hit would be a cool category.

[nyislesfan45]

Originally Posted by Fatt Patt

Ference, he started the Atlanta Brawl and the 2nd Brawl of the Habs game. Not to Mention he flipped off all of the Habs fans.

I know it wouldn't be a fighting award, but biggest hit would be a cool category.

That would make him the best agitating defensemen....he's not a very good fighter though.

[marc123]

Matt Carkner

[brandonh19]

I know because of his reputation around here Komisarek isn't going to win. I still hate him for leaving the Habs the way he did and overall just kind of being a bitch. With that said though most skilled dman on that list is either Komisarek or Brewer. Komisarek fought more and imo had a better card.

[skacore]

I had Carkner in mind when I opened this thread... but I guess if Carkner is "skilled" then you could add in a lot of other guys too.

Anyways I went with Brewer just because of his addition to TB. Brewer still has a ****load of potential it would be nice to see him use that and maybe drop the gloves a little more.

[Fatt Patt]

Originally Posted by nyislesfan45

That would make him the best agitating defensemen....he's not a very good fighter though.

To be fair none of the fighters from this list are very good, Ference stood up for his teammates while being exciting plus he did well in his fights.

[Isles4life]

As much as I enjoyed watching Mark Stuart play the game this year, I'll pick another Shark in the Scott Stevens Award, to compliment my pick of Ryane Clowe for the Cam Neely. Douglas Murray is a beast. He's a very effective shut down defenseman, a role that often does not get the appreciation that it properly deserves. He plays a mean style of game, and although I wish he dropped the gloves a few more times this year, I still have to give him the honors.

[diablo]

Douglas Murray, even i dont like swedes

[orr4president]

Erskine?

[JeanLaRose]

Originally Posted by orr4president

Erskine?

Same as Carkner or Engelland. Great fighters but not great defensemen.

[Bigford83]

Good category, defensemen are often the unsung heroes of hockey. I'm writing in Kevin Bieksa.

[HordiBrusk29]

Murray wins this very easily, IMO. Nobody on this list is even close to him in the fighting department.