"Art Coulter was our best player," he said of the 1940 team's captain and all-star defenseman.

He gave up a flashy but aging forward for an All-Star defenseman in his prime.

Without the all-star defenseman, the quarterback of Pittsburgh's power play, the Penguins are a different team.

Coffey, an All-Star defenseman, has been holding out for 40 days despite having two years remaining on his contract.

"We're going to get our goals," said Paul Coffey, the all-star defenseman.

The only loss the Penguins have suffered since the all-star defenseman's arrival was to the Islanders nine days ago.

Bourque is the perennial all-star defenseman of the Boston Bruins.

Robinson was an All-Star defenseman on a team with an 11-game winning streak that did not win the cup: the 1982 Canadiens.

Chris Chelios, their All-Star defenseman, took several costly penalties and at times seemed more interested in settling personal vendettas.

"Usually someone coming up is nervous with the puck," Leetch, an All-Star defenseman, said of Vorobiev.