Top 12 Veteran Players in the National Hockey League at the moment –Part 4
Tim Thomas was the only mentioned goalie to reach the list in previous parts, but there are many veteran goalies who have certainly established themselves as some of the top in the league. Most are still young and would not qualify for this countdown, but
a few still remain who not only have shamed the younger defenders, but still continue to dominate.
Goalies are not the only position where experience can count. We have seen all sorts of positions from forwards to defenseman, who with that added experience led their teams to greatness during the regular season and playoffs.
Last season, Tampa Bay Lightning was a team in the National Hockey League (NHL) which shocked the whole hockey world with its playoff stretch which almost led them to another Stanley Cup, which leads us to our next worthy mention of the Top 12 veteran players
in the NHL.
7. Dwayne Roloson (Goalie, Tampa Bay Lightning)
At the age of 41, Dwayne Roloson is still reaching out and blocking shots like he was a professional performer in an acrobatic circus. Many young goalies are still up to this day impressed by his defending abilities which certainly makes him one of the best
at what he does.
Unlike other goalies, Roloson, a native of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, was not drafted during the annual entry draft, but was rather picked up from his University of Massachusetts ice hockey team due to his extraordinary performing abilities.
Signed on by Calgary during the 1996-1997 season, Roloson performed like a new player last season as he led Tampa Bay to finish of the regular season in fifth place. He might have played only 34 games during the 2010-2011 season, but he managed to maintain
an impressive save percentage of .912 and goals per average, 2.56.
It was in the playoffs which followed where Roloson shined brightly like a super nova. He played in nearly all games (17) and won 10 of them, which ultimately led Tampa Bay to achieving an unexpected feat by making the Eastern Conference finals.
He helped eliminate teams like Pittsburgh Penguins with three consecutive wins, but finally lost to Boston Bruins in a close seven-game series.
With a .924 save percentage throughout the playoffs, Roloson has deemed himself as a high performing playing in intense situations.
8. Lubomir Visnovsky (Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks)
Lubomir Visnovsky, a 34-year-old defenseman from Topolcany, Slovakia, still performs like a 25-year-old with all his bashing and thrashing of players who try to get anywhere near the Anaheim net.
The 118th overall pick during round-four of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by Los Angeles Kings, proved to be a real gem when Anaheim acquired him from Edmonton Oilers during the 2009-2010 season.
Last season, Visnovsky potted an astounding 68 points (18 goals, 50 assists) in 81 games played, which makes him one of the highest performing defenseman in the league today. His contribution helped Anaheim move up in the Western Conference ranks to the
fourth number spot, initially being below the top-eight line.
His consistency remained high in Ducks playoff entry when they managed to play only six games and were eliminated, but Visnovsky still picked up three assists.
Visnovsky’s power play killing ability and a number of other talents certainly are underrated and having had his career best season with Anaheim, he proves to be a solid player who is still on the road to improvement.
To be continued in part 5....
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