Leetch

Boston Bruins: The big news during the offseason was that Brian Leetch is finally coming home (actually, he's from Connecticut, but played his college hockey in Boston).

USATODAY.com - Just a guess: Sens, Sharks should rule their roosts 2005

Leetch is due $6.5 million next season to conclude his two-year deal.

USATODAY.com - Rangers trade Leetch to Maple Leafs 2004

Leetch is a true professional and his work ethic rubs off on his teammates.

USATODAY.com - Veteran Leetch injects new life in Leafs 2004

The Leafs went on to win 4-2, and after the game there wasn't a soul inside the Leafs dressing room who wasn't thankful management made the March 5 deal that brought Leetch from the New York Rangers for a run at winning the Stanley Cup.

USATODAY.com - Veteran Leetch injects new life in Leafs 2004

From 1969 to 1994, five defensemen surpassed 100 points in a single season—Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin, Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis and Leetch—and those five players won a collective 12 titles.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011

So coaches discourage defensemen from taking such chances anymore, said Leetch, who now works as an analyst for the MSG Network in New York.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011

Getty Images The New York Rangers' Brian Leetch As a percentage of total scoring, defensemen's offensive contributions have remained relatively constant over the league's history, according to QuantHockey.com, a website that analyzes NHL-related data.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011

Nevertheless, Leetch is optimistic that someday, a team will allow a talented defenseman to unleash his skill and reach 100 points in a season.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011

Part of the reason Leetch piled up so many points in 1991-92, he said, was that he spent 80% of his time on the ice with Hall of Fame center Mark Messier.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011

Getty Images the Boston Bruins' Bobby Orr During the first five years of Leetch's career, coaches would remind the team's forwards to retreat into the defensive zone to cover for him whenever he'd spearhead a rush up the ice.

Hockey's Endangered Species Mike Sielski 2011