It is common knowledge more time is required to make it in the NHL as a defenseman than it is as a forward. Generally speaking an additional couple of years spent perfecting one’s skating, positional play, coaches’ strategies and developing chemistry with fellow rearguards and goaltenders is the norm. Then there is the organizational depth chart, the hope for an opening on the blueline, the rapport with the coaches and the club’s salary cap situation. An NHL prospect can control most of his personal development, but several outside factors also affect his gaining a full-time NHL spot. For some the process takes even longer. Ukrainian Greg Pateryn more than paid his dues before earning permanent status in the world’s best hockey league.