from Tim Wharnsby of CBC,

They're everywhere in the NHL these days. Simply watch the morning highlights or scan the boxscores and you'll see their names.

In Anaheim on Wednesday, you may have seen Ducks rookie defenceman Hampus Lindholm catch teammate Matt Beleskey in full flight with a brilliant behind-the-back pass for the game's opening goal.

In Ottawa, there was Jonas Brodin with a seeing-eye wrist shot from the blue-line early in the second period for the Minnesota Wild in their 4-3 win over the Senators.

At the same end of the rink in the third period, it was Ottawa defenceman Erik Karlsson's turn. He quarterbacked the Senators power play and started a scoring play that resulted in Milan Michalek's game-tying goal midway through the third period.

Karlsson also happens to lead all blue-liners with seven goals and 22 points through the first seven weeks of the season.

What do Karlsson, Brodin and Lindholm have in common? They're part of a wave of young Swedish defencemen who have been influenced by the great Nicklas Lidstrom.

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