The Pittsburgh Penguins still have one of the best second-line centers in hockey. Former Pittsburgh ... production was among the best at his position. He finished the year tied for fifth in ...

The Big Ten Conference’s best hockey team and its hottest hockey team ... lifting itself from the basement of the conference standings to a position that could make home conference playoff ...

but a forward, Mallette is not. The sequence exemplified the ever-growing skill of modern day hockey defensemen. While always an essential position, what's considered quintessential has changed.