NHL 2011: Where Does San Jose Sharks Blue Line Rank Among NHL Best?

Over the last decade, the NHL has been ruled from the blue line, every Stanley Cup champion in the Expansion Era (1967-on)—except Carolina (2006)—possessing an elite unit. 

That is exactly why the San Jose Sharks gave up forward talent for blue line strength this offseason. However, what constitutes an elite blue line?

Like any unit in any of the four major North American sports, units are defined by players at the top. Teams who rely on those players mostly succeed, as detailed in my predictions of who will be the top-20 defencemen in 2011-12.

Teams need two players on the blue line who can contribute on both ends becau...

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