- Jul 29, 2009
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OK, we're going to get silly here.
What, you ask, is a "Ninja Turtles" top four?
Well the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are known for, along with being everything promised in their name, their for distinct, specific roles and personalities. You have Leonardo, the self assured take charge leader. Raphael, the angry and aggressive hothead. Donatello, the calm and unassuming tactictian. And Michelangelo, the mercurial and fun loving free spirit.
So the question is, who's had the best group of four defensemen who align with these archetypes? Thinking about the teams I've personally followed, the 2008 Red Wings had Lidstrom as their do-everything leader, Kronwall as their scary open ice physical threat, Stuart as their quietly dependable option, and Rafalski as their offensively creative puckhandler. That's a pretty good example, and an even better team.
The 1993 Leafs were lead in most situations by Macoun, their hothead was Todd Gill, their steadying influence was Sylvain Lefevbre, and their freelancer was Dave Ellett. Not nearly as strong as those Wings, but I think we're starting to get it?
The 2003 Leafs had something like this for a dozen games after the trade deadline when they brought in a Donatello (Wesley) to round out their Leonardo (Svehla), Raphael (McCabe) and Michelangelo (Kaberle). They lost in the first round and haven't been as good since.
I sometimes think about how the Avalanche could have had the best example of all had their best Raphael (Blake) overlapped with their best Michelangelo (Ozolins). Bourque and Foote are as good examples of a Leonardo and a Donatello as you're going to find respectively. Didn't happen though.
Similarly, I was thinking about the Canucks from 15 years ago and then remembered that Mitchell and Hamhuis missed each other, and also that I was conflating Ehrhoff and a young Edler into one offensive defenseman. Oh well.
There are some all time great top 4s that don't work for this. The late 70s Habs resist categorization, and the 2000s Devils only work if you claim Niedermayer was their leader, which would be wrong.
Is there a better one than the 2008 Wings? I'm not saying this is the best way to build a defense, it's just aesthetically satisfying when you see it, and now I want some examples.
What, you ask, is a "Ninja Turtles" top four?
Well the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are known for, along with being everything promised in their name, their for distinct, specific roles and personalities. You have Leonardo, the self assured take charge leader. Raphael, the angry and aggressive hothead. Donatello, the calm and unassuming tactictian. And Michelangelo, the mercurial and fun loving free spirit.
So the question is, who's had the best group of four defensemen who align with these archetypes? Thinking about the teams I've personally followed, the 2008 Red Wings had Lidstrom as their do-everything leader, Kronwall as their scary open ice physical threat, Stuart as their quietly dependable option, and Rafalski as their offensively creative puckhandler. That's a pretty good example, and an even better team.
The 1993 Leafs were lead in most situations by Macoun, their hothead was Todd Gill, their steadying influence was Sylvain Lefevbre, and their freelancer was Dave Ellett. Not nearly as strong as those Wings, but I think we're starting to get it?
The 2003 Leafs had something like this for a dozen games after the trade deadline when they brought in a Donatello (Wesley) to round out their Leonardo (Svehla), Raphael (McCabe) and Michelangelo (Kaberle). They lost in the first round and haven't been as good since.
I sometimes think about how the Avalanche could have had the best example of all had their best Raphael (Blake) overlapped with their best Michelangelo (Ozolins). Bourque and Foote are as good examples of a Leonardo and a Donatello as you're going to find respectively. Didn't happen though.
Similarly, I was thinking about the Canucks from 15 years ago and then remembered that Mitchell and Hamhuis missed each other, and also that I was conflating Ehrhoff and a young Edler into one offensive defenseman. Oh well.
There are some all time great top 4s that don't work for this. The late 70s Habs resist categorization, and the 2000s Devils only work if you claim Niedermayer was their leader, which would be wrong.
Is there a better one than the 2008 Wings? I'm not saying this is the best way to build a defense, it's just aesthetically satisfying when you see it, and now I want some examples.
