New Jersey Devils: Top 10 Defensemen In Team History

New Jersey Devils: Top 10 Defensemen In Team History

By Nick Villano

September 8, 2014

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New Jersey Devils: Top 10 Defensemen In Team History

New Jersey Devils Retired Numbers — The New Jersey Devils are a relatively new franchise; when it comes to sports teams at least. They were established back in 1982 (not counting their days in Kansas City and Colorado). Since Day 1, the main focus on this team has been defense. Today, we will count down the 10 best to ever wear red and black in the Garden State.

The New Jersey Devils are a relatively new franchise; when it comes to sports teams at least. They were established back in 1982 (not counting their days in Kansas City and Colorado). Since Day 1, the main focus on this team has been defense. Today, we will count down the 10 best to ever wear red and black in the Garden State.

10. Joe Cirella

10. Joe Cirella

10. Joe Cirella

10. Joe Cirella — Joe Cirella was one of the very first Devils, starting his rookie year with the Colorado Rockies. While some older fans may have a bad taste in their mouths because he also donned a Rangers sweater, his contributions to this team's history cannot be ignored.

Joe Cirella was one of the very first Devils, starting his rookie year with the Colorado Rockies. While some older fans may have a bad taste in their mouths because he also donned a Rangers sweater, his contributions to this team's history cannot be ignored.

9. Andy Greene

9. Andy Greene

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9. Andy Greene

9. Andy Greene — Andy Greene can end up going all the way to third on this list, but he needs to earn it. He just signed a five-year extension, which will keep him with the Devils until 2020. That would make him one of the longest tenured Devils ever. For now, he ends up at ninth for the contributions he has already given.

Andy Greene can end up going all the way to third on this list, but he needs to earn it. He just signed a five-year extension, which will keep him with the Devils until 2020. That would make him one of the longest tenured Devils ever. For now, he ends up at ninth for the contributions he has already given.

8. Tommy Albelin

8. Tommy Albelin

8. Tommy Albelin

8. Tommy Albelin — It may be easy to forget how good Tommy Albelin actually was because of some of the players he played with. Injury issues held him back from finding his true potential, but he still had a major impact on the franchise.

It may be easy to forget how good Tommy Albelin actually was because of some of the players he played with. Injury issues held him back from finding his true potential, but he still had a major impact on the franchise.

7. Colin White

7. Colin White

7. Colin White

7. Colin White — Colin White learned from Scott Stevens how to be an enforcer. His end in New Jersey may have ended in a buyout, but his career to that point was long, and ended with two Stanley Cup titles.

Colin White learned from Scott Stevens how to be an enforcer. His end in New Jersey may have ended in a buyout, but his career to that point was long, and ended with two Stanley Cup titles.

6. Paul Martin

6. Paul Martin

6. Paul Martin

6. Paul Martin — Paul Martin was alongside White for parts of his career, but he was built in the offensive defenseman mold. He focused more on putting the puck in the right place rather than actually scoring goals. He was one of the best puck-handlers in the game in his time. Unfortunately, he just missed playing on a Stanley Cup team until he went to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Paul Martin was alongside White for parts of his career, but he was built in the offensive defenseman mold. He focused more on putting the puck in the right place rather than actually scoring goals. He was one of the best puck-handlers in the game in his time. Unfortunately, he just missed playing on a Stanley Cup team until he went to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

5. Bruce Driver

Bruce Driver

5. Bruce Driver

Bruce Driver — Bruce Driver is revered as one of the first great Devils. During his time, he had one of the best shots from the point in all of the NHL. It hurt, when he left the Devils after they won their first Stanley Cup, but he is still a Devil at the end of the day.

Bruce Driver is revered as one of the first great Devils. During his time, he had one of the best shots from the point in all of the NHL. It hurt, when he left the Devils after they won their first Stanley Cup, but he is still a Devil at the end of the day.

4. Brian Rafalski

Brian Rafalski

4. Brian Rafalski

Brian Rafalski — Brian Rafalski is another "boring" defenseman who did not get his due while he played in the NHL. That is, until he left the Devils and the Detroit Red Wings gave him a ton of money. He had an amazing two-way game. He could play on the power play and the penalty kill. He was everything you wanted in a blue liner.

Brian Rafalski is another "boring" defenseman who did not get his due while he played in the NHL. That is, until he left the Devils and the Detroit Red Wings gave him a ton of money. He had an amazing two-way game. He could play on the power play and the penalty kill. He was everything you wanted in a blue liner.

3. Ken Daneyko

Ken Daneyko

3. Ken Daneyko

Ken Daneyko — Ken Daneyko may be one of the most popular Devils of all time. He didn't always have the greatest talent, but nobody would work harder than him on the ice. He was the second ever draft pick for the Devils (the first was Rocky Trottier; let's forget about him). Now that he is in the booth, we are reminded of him on a nightly basis. We will always miss that toothless smile after he laid a big hit on someone.

Ken Daneyko may be one of the most popular Devils of all time. He didn't always have the greatest talent, but nobody would work harder than him on the ice. He was the second ever draft pick for the Devils (the first was Rocky Trottier; let's forget about him). Now that he is in the booth, we are reminded of him on a nightly basis. We will always miss that toothless smile after he laid a big hit on someone.

2. Scott Niedermayer

Scott Niedermayer

2. Scott Niedermayer

Scott Niedermayer — Now to the Devils Hall-of-Famers. Scott Niedermayer was so great that he left to go win a Stanley Cup for his brother. He had seven seasons with the Devils with double digit goals. He is in the top 20 all-time in assists, top 15 in PPG and top 10 in game-winning goals. Who could possibly top that?

Now to the Devils Hall-of-Famers. Scott Niedermayer was so great that he left to go win a Stanley Cup for his brother. He had seven seasons with the Devils with double digit goals. He is in the top 20 all-time in assists, top 15 in PPG and top 10 in game-winning goals. Who could possibly top that?

1. Scott Stevens

Scott Stevens

1. Scott Stevens

Scott Stevens — Quite possibly one of the best players to ever wear any uniform. He is 12th in points of any defenseman ever. Only Chris Chelios has played more games. He was the captain on a team that raised three Stanley Cups. It could be argued he was the best hitter of all time. His plus/minus is top 10 of all time. Need I go on? Scott Stevens is the best player to ever play on New Jersey's blue line.

Quite possibly one of the best players to ever wear any uniform. He is 12th in points of any defenseman ever. Only Chris Chelios has played more games. He was the captain on a team that raised three Stanley Cups. It could be argued he was the best hitter of all time. His plus/minus is top 10 of all time. Need I go on? Scott Stevens is the best player to ever play on New Jersey's blue line.

Nick Villano is Feature writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to yourGoogle circle for more articles and lists.

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