NHL Defenseman - One of the Toughest Roles in Professional Sports?

[swint]

Seems as though today's position of NHL defenseman is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the world of sports. In order to succeed (in most cases), you must:

-Be big, strong, and an elite skater in stop-start situations
-Have the ability to read plays, use hockey IQ in order to keep the play moving in your team's favour
-Recognize the importance of consistency as it relates to keeping a job in the NHL

These days we are seeing more and more players lose their spots on NHL bluelines because of a lack of 1 or more of the above skills, therefore are we in an era where the NHL defenseman has become one of the most difficult positions in pro sports?

Discuss.

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[DJJones]

Nothing tops a Quarterback but ya, it's right up there.

 

[AINEC*]

Leafs goalie.

 

[sjsharks92]

Nothing tops a Quarterback but ya, it's right up there.

This. Nothing in North American sports tops QB with regards to level of difficulty.

 

[DJJones]

This. Nothing in North American sports tops QB with regards to level of difficulty.

Kinda amazing how it's the biggest sport in North America and they can hardly find 20 guys that can do the guy sufficiently.

 

[tacogeoff]

This. Nothing in North American sports tops QB with regards to level of difficulty.

agreed. mentally and physically. Just memorizing the playbook alone would be crazy and on top of that studying every defensive formation and systems to be able to call play changes at the line to adjust for defensive postures and control your offensive line and wide receivers via false calls, real calls, hand signals, special snap counts and leg motions LOL. ridiculous.

http://www.stack.com/a/why-is-it-so...k-an-inside-look-at-this-monumental-challenge

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ri-parker-michael-kidd-gilchrist-myles-turner

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-inside-of-an-nfl-playbook-looks-like-2011-8

 

[bigd]

Vince Lombardi said "I want players that will go though a wall for me but the guy who guy who goes around it is my quarterback".

 

[NotYou]

Middle linebacker is tough as hell. In charge of organizing the defense and the defense is usually set up all that he's the guy who makes the most tackles too.

 

[Stuckinthe2ndround*]

kinda amazing how it's the biggest sport in north america and they can hardly find 20 guys that can do the guy sufficiently.

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[Crease]

Considering the response around here to every goal is 2/10 laughable defense what was [insert defenseman here] thinking you'd think being an NHL defenseman is the easiest job in sports.

 

[zar]

QB without a doubt.

In hockey, I think goalie might be the toughest to be proficient but the goalie is one of the easier position for a TEAM to hide a slight weakness.

It's obvious that C or D is the most important and toughest positions to play... simply look at compensation.

Football QBs, hockey centers and hockey top-4 D all have to have a very high GAME IQ to be successful. Most other positions in hockey you can opt for skill and effort over game IQ and be fine.

 

[TheGoalJudge]

Similar to QBs, you could also say there are only about 20 goalies that you can completely trust.

That position is really hard physically and mentally.

 

[Agent Zub]

The offensive D is the hardest role in hockey.

When you are tasked with creating offence and defending.When creating offence innately means having to take some risks.

 

[missingjibbsclub]

Most important position on the team.

 

[molon labe]

Good post.

All around it's close - but like many others have said the QB takes the cake. The way a lot NHL players read the game these days is pretty incredible and taken for granted.. could definitely see a case made for higher profile positions like your top D.

Physically? I'd probably go with an OT..just can't imagine sustaining a 300lb body and squatting all day -while blocking another 300lbs, or a 265lb linebacker trying to run around/through you.
Mentally? Probably a racer, just being on edge for 2-3 hours straight. Then looking at like a 24hr race...

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

The offensive D is the hardest role in hockey.

When you are tasked with creating offence and defending.When creating offence innately means having to take some risks.

And the potential consequences of those risks are generally accepted by the fanbase, which is why if you look at the most productive offensive D in the league you'll see their DEFENSIVE game is what it is, but people can look past it if their scoring.

With how the leagues changed, there should be an award for the best Offensive D, hell, you can call it the Karlsson!

 

[Burke the Legend]

The offensive D is the hardest role in hockey.

When you are tasked with creating offence and defending.When creating offence innately means having to take some risks.

Yeah a D-man who doesn't take as many risks doesn't necessarily need to be an "elite skater" because he will always be ahead of the play. It's when you are asked to take on more offensive risks that speed helps A LOT in making it possible to recover your position.

 

[TT1]

It's not even the hardest position to play in hockey.. thats goaltending. By far the hardest and most important position.

 

[GreatGonzo]

Goaltending>defense in terms of difficulty.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

agreed. mentally and physically. Just memorizing the playbook alone would be crazy and on top of that studying every defensive formation and systems to be able to call play changes at the line to adjust for defensive postures and control your offensive line and wide receivers via false calls, real calls, hand signals, special snap counts and leg motions LOL. ridiculous.

http://www.stack.com/a/why-is-it-so...k-an-inside-look-at-this-monumental-challenge

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ri-parker-michael-kidd-gilchrist-myles-turner

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-inside-of-an-nfl-playbook-looks-like-2011-8

And that's just pre-snap. Its hard to throw a football the same way consistently in practice with no pass rush. Its even harder in games.

 

[swint]

It's not even the hardest position to play in hockey.. thats goaltending. By far the hardest and most important position.

I honestly wouldn't be afraid to say that although it's harder to be an elite goaltender in the NHL, I feel as though the role of being a good defender is far more physically demanding in terms of developing consistency in the way you play and ultimately finding success in the pros.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Cycling in the tour de france or being a professional cyclist is tough.

American Football athletes are tough but tough compromises many aspects. They alone don't compromise the 'World's' toughest athletes for people only saying qb...

I mean how many people can ride 3500 km in 21 days, eh?