The power of the “energy” guys – grinding in the NHL

Let’s face it.  The new NHL has a lot more open ice than the old “clutch and grab” era.  It’s made for some fantastic role players to step up and actually be able to add an offensive attack to their checking or energy line capabilities.

A forward unit that is often overlooked are third/fourth line players. The “checking” line or “energy” line players are the guys whom I feel aren’t discussed enough, if at all. A lot of the average fans will not be able to tell you the name of a fourth liner on the team that they root for, but the true fans know how important these “role” players are to the game.

The “energy” and “checking” lines are lines that are used by coaches to change the momentum of the game; to have a shift in power on the ice to attempt to get your team back into the game.  Usually it works unless it’s matched by the opposing teams energy line that matches up against your energy line and it becomes a wash.

Within this current NHL, some third lines are used so regularly, and have such an offensive touch that they are sometimes compared to second lines (or could be used as such). Also, you would be very surprised to the capabilities of a lot of the third and fourth line skaters around the league. The fact that some games are actually won or determined by the play of the teams third and fourth lines gave me a reason to write about the “overlooked” skaters in the NHL.

Let’s take a look around the league and point out some of the better third and fourth line players as these skaters have changed many in-game scenarios and deserve more credit then they get.

Todd Marchan – Anaheim Ducks -  GP 44 G 7 A 6  SHG 2
Colby Armstrong – Atlanta Thrashers – GP 42 G 7 A 8 GWG 1 SHG 1
Steve Begin – Boston Bruins – GP 43 G 3 A 9 GWG 1
Michael Grier – Buffalo Sabres – GP 33 G 6 A 6 GWG 2
Dustin Boyd – Calgary Flames GP 42 G 5 A 9 GWG 2
Brandon Sutter -  Carolina Hurricanes GP 33 G 10 A 6 GWG 1
Cody McLeod – Colorado Avalanche GP 38 G 5 A 6 GWG 1 (75 PIM)
Raffi Torres – Columbus Blue Jackets GP 41 G 11 A 8 GWG 2
Steve Ott – Dallas Stars  GP 37 G 7 A 6 GWG 2 (75 PIM)
Darren Helm  – Detroit Red Wings  GP 36 G 7 A 5 GWG 1 SHG 2
Zach Stortini – Edmonton Oilers  GP 44 G 3 A 4 GWG 1 (93 PIM)
Radek Dvorak – Florida Panthers GP 38 G 9 A 10 GWG 1 SHG 3
Brad Richardson – Los Angeles Kings GP 43 G 5 A 8 GWG 1 SHG 1
Kyle Brodziak – Minnesota Wild GP 44 G 5 A 10 GWG 1
Glen Metropoli – Montreal Canadiens GP 40 G 10 A 10 GWG 1
Marcel Goc – Nashville Predators GP 42 G 8 A 8
Dean MacAmmond – New Jersey Devils  GP 22 G 4 A 6 GWG 1
Jon Sim – New York Islanders GP 42 G 7 A 3
Enver Lisin – New York Rangers GP 39 G 5 A 6
Jarkko Ruutu – Ottawa Senators GP 44 G 8 A 8 GWG 1
Matt Cooke – Pittsburgh Penguins GP 4 G 8 A 11 GWG 1 (60 PIM)
Daniel Carcillo – Philadelphia Flyers – GP 59 G 4 A 5 GWG 1 (116 PIM)
Taylor Pyatt Phoenix Coyotes GP 38 G 7 A 4  GWG 1
Manny Malholtra – San Jose Sharks GP 41 G 7 A 7 GWG 2
Alexander Steen – St. Louis Blues GP 39 G 7 A 8 SHG 1
Jeff Halpern – Tampa Bay Lightning GP 36 G 7 A 5
Lee Stempniak -  Toronto Maple Leafs GP 44 G 11 A 12 GWG 1 SHG 1
Tanner Glass -  Vancouver Canucks GP 40 G 4 A 5 (63 PIM)
Matt Bradley – Washington Capitals GP 41 G 7 A 8 GWG 3 SHG 1

Honorable mentions:

Blair Betts – Philadelphia Flyers; TJ Galiardi – Colorado Avalanche; Cal Clutterbuck – Minnesota Wild; Travis Moen – Montreal Canadiens; Aaron Asham – Philadelphia Flyers.

The boys have their roles, but they can chip in when it counts the most. These are the guys that every team loves to have and hates to play against. No, they are not superstar snipers but if needed a few could skate on (or already have) teams top lines.

Watch out the next time Matt Cooke or Cody McLeod score on a breakaway because you weren’t paying attention to their presence on the ice.