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THN.com Top 10: Unsung heroes on the Penguins and Red Wings

Hal Gill has one assist and is a plus-5 in the playoffs this season. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

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Hal Gill has one assist and is a plus-5 in the playoffs this season. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

Brian Costello

Brian Costello
2008-05-21 15:43:09

It’s only natural names such as Crosby, Zetterberg, Malkin and Lidstrom are getting most of the attention as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings gear up for an epic Stanley Cup final.

When those names aren’t getting mentioned we hear about Hossa and Datsyuk, Malone and Franzen, Fleury and Osgood.

But it’s these higher profile players who are the first to tell us about the unsung heroes who have helped the Pens and Wings reach the pinnacle of professional hockey success.

Here are some of them:

10. Darren Helm. Seamless transition to Detroit’s forward unit after playing just seven regular season games.

9. Georges Laraque. Averaging just six minutes of ice time with Pens, but making them count.

8. Tomas Holmstrom. It’s impossible to overestimate his playoff contribution to the Wings.

7. Rob Scuderi. His plus-8 for Pittsburgh ranks fifth among all playoff participants.

6. Brad Stuart. Efficiently filling top-four role on Wings D without any offensive billing.

5. Jarkko Ruutu. Grit and energy bursts provide inspiration for Pittsburgh’s top forward lines.

4. Niklas Kronwall. Quietly outshining the other Nicklas on Detroit’s blueline.

3. Brooks Orpik. Active playoff leader with 62 hits and 33 blocked shots for Penguins.

2. Kris Draper. Winning an amazing 63.4 percent of playoff faceoffs.

1. Hal Gill. From Toronto whipping boy to top four minutes on Penguins D.

The THN.com Top 10 appears Wednesdays only on thehockeyenews.com. If you enjoy this feature, subscribe to The Hockey News magazine for the exclusive countdown, Starting From 10, and other great features from the world of hockey.

COMMENTS (17)

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Sean Miller Posted
(2009-04-30 08:20:10)



I was pretty happy to see Stuart get his name etched on the Cup - anyone who thought he was a "glory-hound" with the Flames doesn't know what they're talking about. Perhaps you're thinking about Dion Phaneuf?
    0



Sean Posted
(2009-04-30 06:46:56)



Your mistake again - it should read " . . . better THAN Lidstrom . . . "
    0



T. Roy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:40)



Kronwall and Lidstrom play a totally different style of "D". To say Kronwall is like comparing the Red Wings and the Penguins. Crosby and Malkin were great on the PK.
    0



T. Roy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:40)



My mistake. to say Kronwall is playing better then Lidstrom
    0



Jared Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:30)



Dave, not that I am defending Jim here, but I think if anyone deserves their name on the cup it is Chelios. Yes, the guy has been around forever, and yes, maybe he does play a little outside the rules, but it's not like he is a liability. He is an amazing defenseman, even at his current age. You cannot deny that.
    0



dave Posted
(2009-04-30 06:20:53)



Hey Jim You think (An over statement) that Rutuu & Gill shouldn't be on the cup-what about Chelios? The game passed him by years ago-but as long as he can grab a player whizzing by him-he'll be on Detroits' roster till the cows come home!
    0



JB Posted
(2009-04-30 06:20:52)



Kevin- Kronwall IS playing better then Lidstrom go wings- If you are a wings fan, you should be happy Kronwall is outplaying the best defenceman in the NHL and Lidstrom is still playing amazing.
    0



Mr. William Posted
(2009-04-30 06:20:49)



By your definition Holmstrom should not be considered an unsung hero. All the other players on the list are stay at home defencemen and third/fourth line forwards. He's been a top line player all year and became an even more important player when Franzen got injured. Also, with all the crease controversy he was one of the most talked about players of the entire playoffs.
    0



Brian Posted
(2009-04-30 06:20:49)



Brad Stuart !!!??? Have you been watching? Are you aware of a hockey term called "Give-Aways"? If based on quantity of them, Yes, Stuart probably belongs on this list. The guy is an over-rated pylon and I was glad to see this glory-hound leave the Flames, I almost hope Pittsburgh wins so they deny him the engraving of his name on the Silver!
    0



Caz Posted
(2009-04-30 06:20:49)



I agree "Mad Max" Talbot should be there. He only missed 3 games with a broken foot and scored the game winner against Philly in his first game back and had 5 pts in 4 games in that series. He's also keeping Fleury loose before the start of each game by using him as a punching bag.
    0



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