Is it just me, or is Red Wings' defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom getting better with age? The slick 37-year-old Swede was honored with his first Norris trophy when he was already 31 and is a front-runner to grab his third straight and sixth in seven years. And he's not the only one in his hockey golden years still making an impact. Fantasy GMs know as well as their real-world counterparts the importance of building a team from the back end. Here is Hockey.com's take on the best 35+ defensemen and goalies to have on your pool roster. Defense Lidstrom — Nick is the antithesis of the creaky-kneed defender, logging over 28 minutes per game, which would be a strain on someone 10 years younger. Sergei Zubov, Dallas, 37 — Outside of Lidstrom, no one is as reliable as Zubov. He averages just under 26 minutes per game. Chris Chelios, Detroit, 45 — To put this in perspective, Chelios could have played with the U.S. Olympic team in 1980! Chelly is in such good shape he could play until he's 50. Mathieu Schneider, Anaheim, 38 — Suitcase Schneider has had to mesh well with new teammates over the years. The Ducks power-play whiz is on his seventh team in 18 seasons. Rob Blake, Los Angeles, 38 — Blake takes to the ice for the 1,086th time on his 38th birthday tonight against Vancouver. Greg De Vries, Nashville, 34 — The rock-hard defender will be 35 in the New Year. He anchors a very young Preds blue-line. Bret Hedican, Carolina, 37 — Skates like he's 27 and blocks almost two shots per game. Adam Foote, Columbus, 36 — Tough as nails and a leader to a youthful defensive corps in Columbus. Goaltenders Martin Brodeur, New Jersey, 35 — It seems like King Marty has been playing in the NHL forever. The 2007 Vezina trophy winner has also brought the Devils back from the brink this season, winning nine of his last 10 starts (two via shutout). Brodeur will probably surpass 70 starts for an amazing 10th straight season. Chris Osgood, Detroit, 35 — The Wings have the market cornered on reliable old-timers, from the net out. I mean, is there a better tandem than 35-year-old Osgood and 42-year-old Dominik Hasek? I don't think so. Hasek — The Dominator has been slowed by injuries, but when he is on his game, not many are better. OK, so maybe I was wrong about Martin Brodeur. Looks like he's not quite ready for the "Past His Prime Time Players," after all. Nothing like winning nine games in a row to shut me up, eh Marty? Honest to God, it seemed to me that Brodeur was on the downside of his career. He was treading water; good one night and awful the next. His save percentage was 35th best in the league. He was making journeymen like Johan Hedberg and Alex Auld look good, for Pete's sake. At the same time, the Devils gave the impression they didn't have enough talent, or heart, to make the playoffs. Brent Sutter was stocking up on Grecian Formula, Rogaine and Zantac. Now, less than a month later, Brodeur has slid back into the Vezina Trophy picture and, waddayaknow, the Devils are back atop the Atlantic Division. Sutter still looks perpetually constipated when he's on the bench. But at least he's been able to wean himself off the Zantac. Maybe he should pass some my way. I understand crow doesn't go down too well. As much as I'd like to think it was my blog that sparked a resurgence of the old Brodeur, winning his 500th game three weeks ago probably was what did it. A night after coming heartbreakingly close against the Islanders, Brodeur beat the Flyers 6-2 for the historic win. He's been almost perfect ever since. During his hot streak, Brodeur allowed more than two goals just once. Boston got three past him last week but still lost. Brodeur posted his first two shutouts of 2007-08 while going 9-0-1. If it wasn't for Brendan Shanahan last night, it would have been three blankings and 10 straight wins for the new Mr. 500. But the most amazing thing about the last 10 games, as far as I'm concerned, is that Brodeur has allowed only 15 goals. That's two games work for some goalies. Right, Mr. Raycroft? Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got an avian appetizer to choke down. It's funny, but if Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson were playing recreational hockey, the birthday boy would be an "old-timer." Alfie turns 35 tomorrow, but don't try to tell him he is hockey's version of a geezer. Elder statesman Alfredsson is enjoying a season that would be the envy of players 10 years his junior. And while many players his age see their production decline, Alfredsson's numbers could be the best he's ever had. His best year, 2005-06, he had 103 points (43 goals) in 77 games as a 33-year-old. With 40 points in 27 games this year, that mark could be exceeded by as many as 20 points! Alfredsson and other like him (i.e. Mats Sundin, Rod Brind'Amour) are reason enough that fantasy GMs should look for veteran savvy when fleshing out a roto roster. Consider the following line-up of 35+ forwards still making a mark in the NHL. Forwards (team, age) Alfredsson — Barring injury, he will eclipse his career-high goal total of 43. Sundin, Toronto, 36 — After a couple of decent years, Leafs' captain Mats should break the 80-point barrier for the seventh time in his career. Brind'Amour, Carolina, 37 — The new NHL is agreeing with greybeard Rod. After a paltry 38 points in 78 games in the pre-lockout season of 2003-04, Brind'Amour has averaged nearly a point per game in every season since. Ray Whitney, Carolina, 35 — The ‘Canes have used Whitney's considerable offensive gifts (30 points in 31 games this year) to great effect since picking him up from Detroit after the lockout. Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit, 34 — OK, he's not 35, but will be as of Jan. 23, 2008. Holmstrom is not only a power-play mainstay in Detroit (he is tied for first overall with nine power-play markers) but a physical force at both ends. Robert Lang, Chicago, 36 — No one on the Hawks is underestimating Lang's value to a youthful roster. He has 25 points in 29 games and is plus-12. Alex Kovalev, Montreal, 34 — He'll also be 35 as of Feb. 24, 2008. His numbers have tailed off some, but he is still a power-play specialist. He is second to Holmstrom with eight man-advantage tallies. Joe Sakic, Colorado, 38 — Burnaby Joe is sidelined with a "lower body" injury. He had an incredible 100 points as a 37-year-old in 2006-07 and was playing at just under a point per game until tweaking his groin. Brendan Shanahan, New York Rangers, 38 — Shanny could be a 30-30 man this season for an astounding 12th time! Honorable Mention— Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers, 35; Michael Nylander, Washington, 35; Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis, 35. If you are looking for the definition of overkill, you saw it these past few days during Sidney Crosby's visit to western Canada. Someone, anyone, pass me a Tylenol. Or 12. That delinquent mom Britney has nothing on Sid the Kid when it comes to hyperbole and excessive coverage. You even saw it in the headlines in Eastern papers. Constantly. Crosby Arrives In Edmonton. Crosby Wins Western Debut. Crosby Moves Into Calgary. Crosby Helps Penguins Beat Flames. Crosby Arrives In Vancouver To Complete Western Swing. Crosby Helps Penguins Sweep Western Canada. Crosby Goes Whale Watching. I kept waiting for: Crosby Goes To Bed, Wakes Up, Has A Tinkle And Eats Froot Loops. All that was missing was Sid the Kid riding into town in a glass-enclosed, bullet-proof vehicle, wearing a long flowing robe and offering that patented papal wave to his adoring pilgrims. Doves - 87 of ‘em - being released into the heavens. Women and children crying. Hell, men too. Gag. Enough is enough. Yes, I know this was Crosby's first visit West and,
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Olaf Kolzig, Washington, 37 — Olie the Goalie remains the No. 1 netminder in Washington and just 16 wins shy of the magical 300.