History's greatest monsters: Scott Stevens

NHL Hall of Famer Scott Stevens' list of accomplishments includes three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, 1,635 regular season games played, 908 points, 13 All-Star Game appearances, and a reputation as possibly the most intimidating player to ever lace 'em up.

Stevens' affinity for lining up opponents and routinely scrambling brains would probably make him one of the greatest offenders under today's much stricter approach to discipline on blindside and/or hits to the head. He was one of the best defensemen of his era, and an all-time great. If an opponent wasn't aware of where Stevens was on the ice, it probably meant he was about to find out. 

Here are several of Scott Stevens' "greatest" (read: most devastating and career damaging) hits:

Stevens slams Ron Francis in the 2001 playoffs

Stevens nearly sent Francis six years into the future with this hit in the first round of the 2000-01 postseason, which is ironic since these two greats would enter the Hall of Fame together in 2007. 

Kevyn Adams in the 2000 playoffs

Slava Kozlov receives a textbook Stevens hit in the 1995 Final

There's some shoulder to head contact, Stevens leaving his feet, and poor Kozlov's head slamming into the ice. Ouch. 

Daymond Langkow's head meets Mr. Stevens

Tie Domi gets flipped

One collision in a series of incidents featuring Stevens and Domi was this hip check during the 1993-94 season.

Stevens drops Domi in the 2000 playoffs

You think maybe, just maybe, there was a little bit of animosity between these two guys?

Stevens blasts Bob Bassen and sticks around to admire it

Kariya gets KO'd in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final

Paul Kariya, remarkably, returned to this game and eventually scored a goal on Martin Brodeur after taking this inexcusably late hit from Stevens. Concussions would cut down Kariya's career later. 

The Eric Lindros hit

It's probably the single hit that Stevens will be best remembered for. Lindros' head was the principal point of contact, and it would most certainly be suspension worthy under today's rules.