After the relative nightmare of trying to determine what exactly constitutes a prototypical second line player, it was nice to get to the checking line, where roles are more defined. Besides being able to shut down any opposing team’s big guns, a checking line player should be a coach’s dream: gritty, hard working and the owner of a team-first attitude. Since center is the most important position on a checking line, I’ll start there.

Checking Line Center: John Madden (New Jersey Devils)

Perhaps the best defensive forward in the game right now, Madden may very well win his second Selke Trophy tonight, on his fourth nomination. Not only is Madden a good enough defensive player to be able to match up with anyone in the NHL either five-on-five or shorthanded, he’s is also versatile enough to fill it at either wing if called upon to do so and can chip in offensively more than most checking line players. An important, but underrated, part of Madden’s game is his ability to stop top-tier forward without taking penalties: he’s spent just 76 minutes in the box in his 236 post-lockout games.

Checking Line Left Wing: Taylor Pyatt (Vancouver Canucks)

At 6’4’’ and 220 pounds Pyatt certainly looks the part of a third line winger. While not as defensively adept as Madden, Pyatt nonetheless ranked highly among left wing in shot blocks, hits and takeaways. The ability to play either wing, along with a decent scoring touch help to separate Pyatt from the pack and to make him an ideal third line winger.

Checking Line Right Wing: Mike Grier (San Jose Sharks)

Like Pyatt, Grier is mountain of a man (6’1’’, 225) and does more than his fair share of hitting and shot blocking. Like Madden, Grier is sound enough defensively to be matched up against any forward in the NHL, is an excellent penalty killer and plays a defensive role while taking very few minor penalties. Unlike Pyatt or Madden, Grier can’t generally be counted on for a significant amount of scoring, although his presence down low and in front of the net can help a team’s offense even if doesn’t show up on Grier’s stat sheet.

The prototypical checking line: Taylor Pyatt, John Madden and Mike Grier.

Other considered include Jay Pandolfo, Samuel Pahlsson and Sean Avery.