derpDerpDerp

December 14th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^

I'm not arguing that Stevens is the greatest of all time, but since his name has come up a couple times I just wanted to throw this out there: I've never seen a better combination of shut down D, game-changing hits and leadership. The thing about the Devils that won all those cups is that they were laser-focused. Didn't matter if they were down 3 games to 1 in a series, they still played like they were going to win. And when it was in doubt, he'd come up with a hit that would change everything.

The Devils long slide to mediocrity has come from a lack of real leadership (and, also, not replacing any of Stevens, Daneyko, Niedermayer, Rafalski or Martin).

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 345

JClay

December 14th, 2010 at 7:36 PM ^

For me Orr is #1, Lidstrom 2, then Harvey at 3rd and bourque at 4th. I think Lidstrom is closer to Orr then Harvey is to Lidstrom. Lidstrom and Orr literally play the game differently then anyone else ever had. And whoever keeps mentioning Coffey is smoking crack. He put up great offensive numbers, but his one Norris trophy is openly mocked. Te guy was more of a fourth forward then true defenseman.

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 13753

liam1231

December 14th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^

Agreed. I would put Orr at number 1 because without him, Lidstrom doesn't the style he plays so well. But, Lidstrom puts up a great argument for number 1.

I get tired of hearing about Coffey being a great d-man. He was exactly as you say, "a fourth forward". He was no more a defenseman than Larry Murphy was a speed demon on skates.

The arguement for the others, Bourque, Stevens, Harvey, etc. just doesn't hold water. There have been good/great d-men, but Lidstrom just plays consistantly good and actually make a difference.

Joined: 07/13/2009

MGoPoints: 209

GBOD79

December 14th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^

Orr is the best defenseman to play the game, but Lidstrom is a close second. The gap bewteen Orr and Lidstrom is far smaller than the gap between Lidstrom and Harvey at 3.

If Lidstrom were to win another Stanley Cup and Norris he may go down as the best ever. You always need time to settle these arguments. I think 20 years from now we may see Lidstrom as the number 1 defenseman of all time.

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 3719

clarkiefromcanada

December 16th, 2010 at 1:04 AM ^

Growing up and playing hockey in Canada the "Bobby Orr hat trick was the measuring stick" for you abilities...I'm not diminishing Lidstrom's first ever hat trick...just saying...

 

Bobby Orr hat trick
 
 
 
Someone getting a goal, an assist and into a fight within a single game of hockey.
"Dylan got a Bobby Orr hat trick at hockey last night."

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 49257