The Ottawa Senators select
Ron Stackhouse, D
A big (6'3" in the 1970s), skilled, mobile right-handed defenceman, he did everything for the 1970s Penguins except hit.
Stackhouse received all-star votes in four seasons. He played big minutes in all situations, with career usage numbers of 42% at even strength, 46% on the power play, and 49% on the penalty kill. And despite playing on weak teams in an unbalanced league, he was still a plus player (on-ice GF/GA ratio of 1.05, compared to 0.82 when he was off the ice.)
LOH:
From that point on, (Stackhouse) began to solidify all aspects of his game. He played with an offensive orientation, could skate well for a big man, possessed a solid, low shot from the point, and grew to become a fearless shot-blocker.
With the Pens, Stackhouse reached the peak of his blueline proficiency. He became a mainstay on the club's backline over the seven-and-a-half seasons that followed. But in spite of his solid play, there was little that was harmonious about his time in Pittsburgh. The fans at the Igloo wanted to see big players, like Stackhouse, hit everybody that moved with the intent to destroy. Anything less was met with choruses of boos and catcalls. It was not in the beleaguered rearguard's nature to do anymore physically than was necessary to secure his zone.
(from seventieslord) This is what the Hollander scouting reports had to say:
1973: Tall and tough defender... played standout hockey for Detroit...
1975: Long reach enables him to play the man...
1978: Solid, all-round defenseman who seems to be getting more aggressive
1979: Has learned to use his size to better advantage
1980: Doesn't hit often but is deceptively effective with the use of the pokecheck
1981: solid, two-way type who uses size and reach to best advantage... Penguins top plus player last season...
1982: Solid as a house... sound player in mold of old-time blueliner... doesn't look to score, looks to block shots... one of most coveted players team has... team nixed a deal from Philadelphia that would have landed three players... consistently the pens' top +/- player... Has adjusted game from when he was the leading scorer among defensemen... has breezy skating style which sometimes makes him look lazy... lots of GMs would love to have his kind of laziness...
