Claimed: VHL Top 3 (Defensemen)

[Banackock 7,733]

Roman Sokolov has been an absolute force this season.

 

In our previous article, we noted on one of the most important positions in the game of hockey. It could be said that without a good goalie, any team is doomed. Though, with a good goalie your team could still be in a similar position. These two things go hand in hand and if you have a good pairing mixed with a top notch goalie, you surely will have quite the defensive set up going on for your organization. Defenders in this league are huge - even if many teams specialize in going all out with their forwards. Like any game, you gotta score to win, but you also have to keep the puck out of the net and your end. While a huge portion of keeping it out of the net is the goalies job, you'd be surprised how much the defenders actually do (or not). Let us open that sweet URL link, track the top 3 defensemen down and see who could be crowned the #1 D-man of the season. 

 

3. Fabio Jokinen (QUE) 

Jokinen lights the lamp courtesy of a bomb of a slap shot.

 

I'd say the only reason Fabio is in 3rd and not 2nd is because Digital's SB are similar and he edges him out in points. A very unattractive feature to the #2 ranked player on this list is his inability to stay out of the box. However, despite this, Fabio still finds himself sitting in 3rd place. Quebec is on the rise and so is this young defender. Likely an anchor that'll hold down the Meute's blue line for many seasons to come, it's also pretty safe to say that this guy is going to be a candidate, or at least a nominee, for top defender of the year every single season he plays from now on. He's established, on his way up and sits at 566 TPE. Though not a crazy amount for someone of his age, he shows that he can still play with the big boys and in fact, is becoming one of them. 50 points through 40 so far, will be interesting to see if he can crack 100.

2. Bobby Digital (NYA) 

Digital has been a human wrecking ball.

 

MR. Digital. There's not much to say about this guy other than he's an American loyalist through and through and has turned himself into a true, quality player. For the last couple of seasons, his name has been at the top of the list for the Sterling Labatte trophy and this year could be the year he takes it home due to some excellent play on his behalf. A fighting point for him would be that he's on the better team - thus, faces less shots. With Sokolov being on the weaker team, his team gives him more defensive opportunity like shot blocking and hitting. I'd say Digital will make the race interesting and with 45 points through 40, 122 hits and 72 shots blocked on the season, it's hard to look the other way for nominating him to say the least. 

 

1. Roman Sokolov (TOR) 

Sokolov's skill is incredible - even while laying on the ice.

 

Ah, yes. the young phenom who is turning heads in Toronto and making the panties of every female Legion fan drop to the floor. Kidding, but actually, who knows. With how crazy this kid has been playing, we've definitely seen stranger shit happen (like Petenis win the Labatte last season). Sokolov has truly turned his game up this season and breaker free of the lower level style of play which he displayed the last few seasons. Maybe lower isn't the right word, but he has stepped it up to a whole new level this year and it could be a sign of a great career ahead of him.  He edges Jokinen out by 1 point (though much lower skill level and team skill),  leads the league in shots blocked with 133  and also adds 121 hits to his argument for the Labatte this season. If everything remains constant, this guy will be taking home the trophy this year.

 

6 for FORSBERG

[Gudnason 607]

Sokolov, the young phenom who is making the panties of every female Legion fan drop to the floor.

 

GOLD

[Banackock 7,733]

18 minutes ago, punkhippie said:

Sokolov, the young phenom who is making the panties of every female Legion fan drop to the floor.

 

GOLD