We asked our readers along with sites from the Hockey Alliance to rank the defensemen currently in the NHL and come up with their very own Top 10 list. Like last year we received a wide array of responses from a number of people and we have tabulated all the votes to come up with a definitive Top 10 list.

In all there were 37 different players that garnered at least one vote. However, only Nicklas Lidstrom made it on to every voter's list. Chris Chelios (6th), Teppo Numminen (8th) and Brian Leetch (10th) were bumped off of the list and replaced by Al MacInnis, Derian Hatcher and Scott Stevens.

Scoring System:
Each first place vote was awarded with 10 points, second place vote with nine points, third place vote with eight points and so on…

Drum roll please… The Top 10 Defensemen in the NHL as voted by the readers and staff of McKeen's Hockey for 2003 are:

1st Place – Nicklas Lidstrom, Det (684 points)
The Norris Trophy winning rearguard was the only defenseman to be on every single reader's ballot and there was little doubt early on that he had first place in the bag. In fact, he beat his nearest rival by well over 200 points.

Your Comments:
"… Excels in all situations, and matches savvy and smarts without unneccesary penalties. Plays against top lines and can be counted on to contribute offensively as well. Proven winner, as three Stanley Cups can attest …" and "… He knows exactly when to join the rush and when not to and is rarely caught out of position …"

2nd Place – Chris Pronger, StL (447 points)
Maybe absence really does make the heart grow fonder or that is what it seems happened with Chris Pronger. Very few players can play only five regular season games and actually have their stock rise! But Pronger finished a spot higher than last season's poll, narrowly getting past Rob Blake for second spot.

Your Comments:
"… When healthy, one of the best, but has to prove it in the playoffs …" and "… A healthy Pronger, Is a scary Pronger …"

3rd Place – Rob Blake, Col (444 points)
There are a few reasons that might have caused Rob Blake to fall from second last year to third place this year. For one thing, there is little argument that Blake had an off season by his standards. One other reason was quite made quite clear … Detroit fans in general do not care for anything that comes from Colorado!

Your Comments:
"… A very overrated defensemen …" and "… Great shot, great skating, and he'll knock you into the fifth row if you don't keep your head up …"

4th Place – Al MacInnis, StL (365 points)
Last year he didn't garner enough votes to even make the top 10 as many suggested that he was too old to dominate like he once had. Well, not only did he prove that he is still an excellent rearguard he was nominated for the Norris Trophy this season.

Your Comments:
"… getting old, but still going strong …" and "… Everyone always thinks about his shot, but there's more to him than a great slapper. His awareness in the offensive zone is as good as anyone's, but it's his defensive awareness that get's overlooked …"

5th Place – Derian Hatcher, Det (253 points)
Joins his fellow Norris nominee Al MacInnis as a newby on the list, however, unlike MacInnis he was not on a single ballot last season! Hatcher was left off of a number of lists, but finished as high as second to help entrench his place in the top five.

Your Comments:
"… Absolutely commanding behind his own blue line and keeps everyone honest with his fierce hits. Instills fear into the opposition when he steps on the ice. …" and "… A mean SOB that plays his end as well as anyone …"

6th Place – Adam Foote, Col (250 points)
Fell from fourth place in last year's poll to sixth. Many voters had him rated in the middle of the pack amongst the elite rearguards.

Your Comments:
"… He's a punishing presence on the ice who's always willing to do what it takes to win …" and "… Everything about him is abrasive. He is the ultimate gamer, and definitely someone you want manning the blueline. However, his wrecking ball style of play can leave him banged up from time-to-time …"

7th Place – Scott Niedermayer, NJ (239 points)
Moved up two spots from ninth to seventh partly due to a great playoff run by him and his team to win the Stanley Cup. Niedermayer also had three second place votes to help his cause.

Your Comments:
"… two way game and skating can't be understated …" and "…Blistering top speed and acceleration coupled with grit and decent defensive play make Scott one of the most dangerous defensemen in the game, as well as one of the most exciting to watch …"

8th Place – Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals (223 points)
Surprising fall from fifth spot all the way down to eighth especially considering he finished with 67 points and was a plus 13 on a mediocre Washington Capital club. Had a few third place votes, but also was left off a number of ballots.

Your Comments:
"… consistently brilliant and nobody knows it, defensive game never been better …" and "… He's like having a fourth forward on the ice. His great shot injects instant credibility to any power play. His offensive instincts and roving nature (helped by his great skating) mean he can turn up anywhere at anytime to bang the puck into the net …"

9th Place – Ed Jovanovski, Van (219 points)
Switched places in this year's list with the New Jersey Devils' Scott Niedermayer. Received five third place votes, but generally was ranked fairly low on most peoples list as well as being left off a fair number.

Your Comments:
"… Jovo Cop plays in a small market, but he has a big game. He has a Pronger-esque blend of physicality and offensive playmaking ability …" and "… needs to stop thinking too much, could be #1 in a few years …"

10th Place – Scott Stevens, NJ (216 points)
Winning the Stanley Cup does amazing things for a player's percieved value. Look no further than Scott Stevens as he only made a couple of lists last season to finish well out of the mix to climbing all the way to 10th spot this season. He actually finished first on a few lists as well as finishing second or third on a number of others to help his cause.

Your Comments:
"... Still going strong at 40 …" and "… Nobody hits like him, You skate through center ice or with your head down (Lindros, Kariya) you're gonna get punished …"

The rest of the defensemen that received votes in order were: