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NHL’s Top Defensive Players: Unsung Heroes and Shutdown Specialists

Published

2 years ago

6 minute read

The number of NHL players who are praised for their offensive prowess reportedly exceeds those lauded for their defensive abilities. But without the latter, no goal is ever scored nor victory secured. Whether it’s trying to contain dominant scorers on opposing teams or breaking up opposition rushes at just the right moment, there’s no doubt that good defense leads to championships and unforgettable experiences in hockey. So if you ask any die-hard NHL fan whose name instantly comes to mind when discussing top defensive players over recent years, they may not have an immediate answer – but they do know one thing: these shutdown specialists and unsung heroes are crucial contributors to victory night after night in the league. It’s time they were given recognition! Let’s get into exploring some of the top defensive stars currently dominating NHL ice rinks across North America.

Introducing the Top Defensive Players and Why They Matter

In the fast-paced, hard-hitting world of the NHL, defense is just as important as offense. Solid defensive players can prevent their opponents from scoring, making them valuable assets to their teams. So who are the top defensive players in the NHL totals? D-men like Victor Hedman, Roman Josi, and Ryan Suter come to mind, with their keen sense of timing, effective stick work, and impeccable body positioning. These players can disrupt an opposing team’s attack and clear the puck from their zone when necessary. Without them, their teams would be more vulnerable to goals, which is why the top defensive players in the NHL matter so much.

Cale Makar – Colorado Avalanche’s Unsung Superstar

When it comes to the Colorado Avalanche, most people might think of Nathan MacKinnon or Gabriel Landeskog, but there’s another superstar on the team who’s been flying a bit under the radar. Meet Cale Makar, the defenseman who’s been making waves in the NHL. Makar has been a standout player for the Avalanche since his debut in April 2019, with incredible agility, speed, vision, and shooting ability that make him a formidable force on the ice. He contributed 30 goals this season (he scored 5 of them), making history as the most goals contribution as a NHL defenseman. Despite his impressive skills, Makar has often gone overlooked in comparison to his more well-known teammates. But for those who have been paying attention, Makar is undoubtedly a rising star of the league and one of the biggest assets of the Colorado Avalanche.

Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay Lightning’s Defense Master

Victor Hedman, a Swedish defenseman, has become one of the most prominent players on the ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning. With his impressive skills in defense and exceptional playmaking abilities, Hedman has cemented himself as a crucial component of the team’s success. They were champions for two consecutive seasons in 2020 and 2021, and Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020. His ability to control the puck and move it effectively up the ice is unparalleled, and he has helped lead the Lightning to multiple playoff runs. Not only is he a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end, but he also shines on the offensive side, making game-changing hits and stops. Hedman’s dedication to his craft has earned him numerous accolades, including the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL in 2018 (he was also nominated for six straight seasons for this trophy). To sum it up, Victor Hedman is undoubtedly an elite player and a key asset for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Roman Josi – Nashville Predators’ Shutdown Specialist

Roman Josi has proven himself as an incredible asset for the Nashville Predators as their shutdown specialist. Opposing teams are well aware of his ability to neutralize their top players, as he expertly uses his combination of speed, physicality, and hockey IQ to shut down their offensive threats, which led Josi to runner-up for the Norris Trophy last season. His defensive prowess is only part of what makes him so valuable to the Predators. He’s also an exceptional team player, always working to support his teammates and lending his leadership whenever it’s needed with an average of 50 points in six of the last eight seasons. It’s no wonder he’s become one of the most beloved players on the Predators’ roster and one of the biggest reasons for the team’s continued success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when discussing the NHL’s top defensive players, it is difficult to ignore the incredible talent of Cale Makar, Victor Hedman, and Roman Josi. These three defenders are some of the most reliable in the game today and are respected by their peers for their stout two-way play and lockdown defense. They have helped raise their respective teams to the next level and could very well be important contributors to a Stanley Cup victory in the future. Ultimately, these three players will be remembered as some of the greatest defenders in NHL history for their immense skill and dedication to excellence.

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The bizarre story of Taro Tsujimoto

Published on March 28, 2025

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The National Hockey League (NHL) has seen its fair share of strange moments, but few compare to the bizarre and hilarious tale of Taro Tsujimoto, a player who never existed. His “selection” in the 1974 NHL Draft remains one of the most legendary pranks in hockey history. If you want to wager on actual players, making the 1xBet app download is definitely a great idea.

In the 1970s, the NHL Draft was a much less glamorous event than today. It was a tedious process conducted over the phone, with teams calling in their picks. The 3 biggest highlights of what happened during that year’s draft were:

  • the draft dragged on for hours;
  • there were multiple rounds and teams selecting unknown prospects from obscure leagues;
  • frustrated with the monotony, Buffalo Sabres general manager Punch Imlach decided to have a little fun.

As the 11th round approached, Imlach instructed his team’s representative to draft Taro Tsujimoto, a supposed forward from the Tokyo Katanas of the Japan Ice Hockey League. The name sounded authentic enough. The league officials, unfamiliar with Japanese hockey, accepted the pick without question. By downloading the 1xBet app you will also be able to wager on great NHL teams too.

A small problem

There was a small problem with all of this, as 2 things didn’t exist: Tsujimoto and the Tokyo Katanas. Imlach had completely fabricated the player as a joke, taking advantage of the NHL’s lack of verification. When it comes to NHL wagers, there is no better platform than the 1xBet Canada site.

For weeks, the league listed Tsujimoto as an official draft pick, and even some newspapers reported on Buffalo’s mysterious new Japanese prospect. Eventually, the Sabres admitted the hoax, and the NHL was forced to retroactively erase the selection from its records.

Despite being a fictional player, Taro Tsujimoto took on a life of his own. Buffalo Sabres fans embraced the prank, and over the years, his name has become a cult legend in hockey culture. Some fans even wore jerseys with “Tsujimoto” on the back. The joke persisted so much that when EA Sports released NHL video games, players could occasionally find Tsujimoto in the game’s draft pool as a hidden Easter egg.

More than just a prank, the story of Taro Tsujimoto highlights 2 things: the quirks of old-school sports management and the creativity of one of hockey’s most colorful executives. Today, with the draft process being highly scrutinized and broadcast live, such a prank would be impossible. But Tsujimoto’s legacy lives on as one of hockey’s greatest inside jokes. What is not a joke are the great rewards that a platform like the Canadian 1xBet site can give you.

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60% of Canadians gamble each month – why the industry is going from strength to strength

Published on March 26, 2025

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When it comes to regulating gambling, Canada has a somewhat relaxed approach. The Canadian Gaming Association oversees the industry, but it’s up to individual provinces to enact and enforce any laws relating to online casino gaming, sports betting, traditional casino gaming, and other forms of gambling.

Canada’s online casino gaming laws are not totally clear, but individual provinces are starting to put this right. Ontario was the first and did so when it launched its own regulated igaming market in April 2022. Now some other provinces have followed suit, creating a safer igaming environment for players in those provinces. Below is a look at gambling in Canada compared to other parts of the world, at gaming laws in Alberta compared to other provinces, and at the future of the Canadian, US, and UK gambling industries.

Canada: a forever love of gambling

Gambling in some form or other has always been popular in Canada. Way back in the 1990s, research found six in ten Canadians (60%) gambled every month. Additionally, four in ten (43%) spent between 1 and 20 Canadian dollars on gambling. Fast forward to today and the Canadian gambling market is worth 14.2 billion US dollars as of January 2024, according to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista.

It seems Canada enjoys wagering just as much as two other countries that love a gamble: the US and the UK. Data on the Statista website shows that 49% of US adults took part in gambling activities in 2023. Fifty-six percent said their attitude towards gambling had relaxed, compared to the 50% of 2019.

The UK returned similar stats for the same year. Forty-eight percent of adults reported engaging in gambling activity. Online casinos generated the most gross gambling yield in 2023, but it was the nation’s National Lottery that people played the most.

 

Alberta: following Ontario’s lead

The regulatory developments in Ontario have triggered movement in Alberta. In May 2024, Bill 16, the Red Tape Reduction Amendment Act, made it through the process and later received Royal Assent to become law. The act removes the monopoly of gaming by a single government entity and will allow private operators, licensed by Alberta’s provincial regulator, to provide online gaming services in Alberta, meaning players will have a choice of more than one Alberta online casino to play at.

The regulation transforms Alberta into one of the more liberal provinces when it comes to online gambling, others being Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Several provinces, such as Novia Scotia and Northwest Territories, have no provincially regulated online gaming sites. Some also restrict betting on horse racing and/or other types of sports betting, obliging citizens to use international betting sites for freedom from caps and betting on as many events as they wish.

What lies ahead for the Canadian, US, and UK gambling industries?

Canada’s appetite for gambling is clear, and the industry’s online sector is beginning to thrive. Ontario has enjoyed vast success by creating its own regulated market, one which, in just its first year, saw Canadians place billions in wagers and the industry itself generate more than a billion in total gaming revenue.

Canada can expect to see other provinces follow Ontario’s lead and allow private operators to provide services in the province under license. The purpose of the regulation is player protection. Any province that develops a regulated market will focus on this, so there will also be regulations around the advertising of gambling services.

The US

Gambling online is the future for the US, too, although states are slow to legalize it. As of September 2024, 38 states had legalized sports betting, following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that states could regulate sports gambling directly.

Despite allowing sports betting, some states only permit in-person betting, and only a few states allow online casino gaming. Operators believe online casino gaming is the future of gambling.

The UK

In the UK, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will get bigger and bigger. Companies have realized AI can enhance players’ experience and are embracing it more and more. For instance, sports betting websites can use it to crunch data and provide iGamers with stats and other data to make better betting decisions. They’re also understanding they can use AI to prioritize content players are likely to be interested in and to personalize their offerings and services to players’ preferences.

Canada enjoys gambling as much as America and the UK. Although laws around igaming are more of a grey area in Canada, some provinces are clearing the issue up by creating regulated markets and experiencing great success. As time goes by, more are sure to follow.

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