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Pahlsson thrives in stopper role

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Updated Jul 19, 2009 1:30 PM ET
     
 
Very few young Hockey players aspire to be the next great checking line center. Childhood puck dreams typically involve the Hart Trophy, not the Selke. Samuel Pahlsson, the Blue Jackets' most noteworthy free agent addition this summer, was no different growing up in Sweden. "Everyone wants to score goals," he said. "That's how it is all over the world, right?" But it became apparent early in Pahlsson's NHL career that he didn't have a scorer's touch. So, at age 25 and in his third season with the Anaheim Ducks (2002-03), Pahlsson needed to re-invent his game. "The smart ones figure it out right away," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "If you're not giving it on one end, you'd better do it on the other. "(Pahlsson) figured it out really quickly." Over the next few seasons, one of the NHL's top shutdown centers emerged. Pahlsson won't ever be mentioned as a Hart Trophy (MVP) candidate, but he's a perennial candidate for the Selke (top defensive forward) and was one of the finalists in 2006-07. "I've played the last half of my career against the top lines on other teams," Pahlsson said. "I know that this is what I do best. "I can try to score a lot of goals, but I can't score with the best of them. I know that. I help my team better by doing what I do." The Blue Jackets see Pahlsson as their third-line center, a stark improvement over Manny Malhotra, a free agent who won't be re-signed. Who will play to Pahlsson's left and right on the checking line remains unclear, though Fredrik Modin, Jason Chimera and Raffi Torres would appear to be candidates. The Blue Jackets can only hope Pahlsson's line in Columbus is as effective as the one he centered in Anaheim. "It was an instant stopper line," said Ducks assistant coach Newell Brown, who was a Blue Jackets assistant from 2000-04. "They played together for two years in a row, just got to know each other so well and took so much pride in what they did. "You win with great people. That's the old saying. And Sammy's one of my favorites." Brown expects Pahlsson to thrive under Hitchcock, who spends long hours breaking down video and provides players with detailed scouting reports before every game. "Sammy is the kind of guy who really likes structure," Brown said. "He enjoys having a job to do, a plan laid out in front of him. And then he goes out and performs it. "He's really intense. (Former Ducks general manager) Brian Burke used to say: "He was born in Sweden, but I'd swear he's from Red Deer (Alberta). We called him 'The Viking.' " Pahlsson will make his first voyage to Columbus this week to pick out a a home for his family -- a wife, two kids and a dog. Before he accepted the Blue Jackets' offer -- three years, $7.95 million -- he got a recommendation from a friend who lives a mile or so away in Sweden. "(Former Blue Jackets defenseman) Mattias Timander is a good friend of mine," Pahlsson said. "He said it's a great city and a great place to play. It seems like a great fit for me and my family." aportzline@dispatch.com
Tagged: Ducks, Blue Jackets, Samuel Pahlsson

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