"NHL's Most Rugged Players" Captions from others: 1. ''[In 1982, when] Scott Stevens came along, there were other players in the league like him who played hard and gritty and nasty,'' L.A. Kings coach Terry Murray told Sports Illustrated. ''Now, you see, who? Phaneuf and Komisarek.'' 2. Often cited as the NHL's hardest-hitting defenseman, his bruising style and hip-checks have made opponents see stars. Every foe is fair game. "Phaneuf doesn't know any nameplates, he just knows sweater colors and opponents," Calgary Flames coach Mike Keenan has said. "That's a great thing about his game, he's competitive. Whether it's Sidney Crosby or any other opponent it doesn't matter to him."