Greatest Defenseman In NHL History

[Jagger69]

Doing a similar thread for the NBA so I can't leave out my hockey brethren. Who is the greatest defenseman who ever laced up the skates in the NHL? If you choose "other", please elaborate.

This is really tough for me because so many of these guys are great but I have to go with Larry Robinson. His plus/minus number was +730 and he won 6 Stanley Cups. What more can I say?

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Bobby Orr.

End of thread.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

I chose Orr too. I never saw him play but from what I've seen in clips and what I've heard ( "just like" or "the next" Bobby Orr.) I gota go with him. He seems to have set the bar for NHL defencemen. Great list.

 

[Mauser98k]

toss up between Orr and Lidstrom. i voted for Nik because he's going to have a longer career than Bobby did barring the same kind of injuries

 

[franz9814]

Bobby Orr, no discussion. He changed the game. One of the best players to ever play. Love Borque, Lidstrom, Stevens, Coffey, but its Orr.

 

[Jagger69]

Bobby Orr.

End of thread.

Bobby Orr, no discussion. He changed the game. One of the best players to ever play. Love Borque, Lidstrom, Stevens, Coffey, but its Orr.

End of thread? No discussion? What criteria are you guys using to make those statements? I mean, Orr was great but his career was rather short. His stats just don't stack up with some of the others.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

End of thread? No discussion? What criteria are you guys using to make those statements? I mean, Orr was great but his career was rather short. His stats just don't stack up with some of the others.

Yeah, but when you look at what he accomplished in his career, it really isnt' a contest in my opinion. Six straight years with 100+ points, eight straight Norris trophies, two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes and three Harts. He's the only defencemen to win the scoring trophy, and he did it twice. He scored 953 points in 657 games, and is forth on the points-per-game list. When he was on the ice, he made the Bruins a better team. He was argurably the first defencemen to have a true offensive presence on the ice. He really did change the way the game was played. If his knees didn't cause him so much problems, who knows what more he would have accomplished, though I guarentee the Blackhawks would have won the Cup.

 

[Jagger69]

Yeah, but when you look at what he accomplished in his career, it really isnt' a contest in my opinion. Six straight years with 100+ points, eight straight Norris trophies, two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes and three Harts. He's the only defencemen to win the scoring trophy, and he did it twice. He scored 953 points in 657 games, and is forth on the points-per-game list. When he was on the ice, he made the Bruins a better team. He was argurably the first defencemen to have a true offensive presence on the ice. He really did change the way the game was played. If his knees didn't cause him so much problems, who knows what more he would have accomplished, though I guarentee the Blackhawks would have won the Cup.

I certainly don't disagree about his influence on the game and the way he revolutionized the way the blueline position was played. I just can't accept that there can be no debate on the matter however. Some of the guys on that list are pretty fucking good so, to me, there is certainly room for discussion.

And what is this guarantee about the Blackhawks you are making?

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Yeah, but when you look at what he accomplished in his career, it really isnt' a contest in my opinion. Six straight years with 100+ points, eight straight Norris trophies, two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes and three Harts. He's the only defencemen to win the scoring trophy, and he did it twice. He scored 953 points in 657 games, and is forth on the points-per-game list. When he was on the ice, he made the Bruins a better team. He was argurably the first defencemen to have a true offensive presence on the ice. He really did change the way the game was played. If his knees didn't cause him so much problems, who knows what more he would have accomplished, though I guarentee the Blackhawks would have won the Cup.

You're either a walking hockey encyclopaedia or you have the best internet access on the planet.

 

[lurkingdirk]

Yeah, but when you look at what he accomplished in his career, it really isnt' a contest in my opinion. Six straight years with 100+ points, eight straight Norris trophies, two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes and three Harts. He's the only defencemen to win the scoring trophy, and he did it twice. He scored 953 points in 657 games, and is forth on the points-per-game list. When he was on the ice, he made the Bruins a better team. He was argurably the first defencemen to have a true offensive presence on the ice. He really did change the way the game was played. If his knees didn't cause him so much problems, who knows what more he would have accomplished, though I guarentee the Blackhawks would have won the Cup.

You're entirely right. Here's some more.

* Most points in one NHL season by a defenceman (139; 1970–71).
* Most assists in one NHL season by a defenceman (102; 1970–71).
* Highest plus/minus in one NHL season (+124; 1970–71).
* Tied for most assists in one NHL game by a defenceman (6; tied with Babe Pratt, Pat Stapleton, Ron Stackhouse, Paul Coffey and Gary Suter).
* Held record for most assists in one NHL season from 1971 to 1981 (102; broken by Wayne Gretzky and also bettered by Mario Lemieux), this is still a record for a defenceman.
* Held record for most goals in one NHL season by a defenceman from 1971 to 1986 (37 in 1971, broke own record in 1975 with 46; broken in 1986 by Paul Coffey with 48).

 

[biomech]

Bobby Orr, but the list is a solid group of guys.

 

[ThatRedWing]

I obviously have a bias toward Lidstrom. Orr changed the way the position could be played. Coffey and Bourque have to be in the discussion. Oh fuck it I'm going with Nick, so call me a homer.:thefinger

 

[LukeEl]

Bobby Orr, Ray Bourqe, and Paul Coffey are my top 3

 

[feller469]

Orr, Bourque, then Lindstrom. though i will always have a spot in the top five for Scott Stevens. he patrolled the blue line like no other, ask Eric Lindros and a few others.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

And what is this guarantee about the Blackhawks you are making?

Orr signed with the Blackhawks in 76, but he only played in a handful games for them because of his knees. I meant to say if he was healthy, the Hawks wouldn't have the longest Stanley Cup drought right now.

 

[Jagger69]

Orr signed with the Blackhawks in 76, but he only played in a handful games for them because of his knees. I meant to say if he was healthy, the Hawks wouldn't have the longest Stanley Cup drought right now.

OK gotcha. :thumbsup:

 

[Skyraider22]

Bobby Orr

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

OK gotcha. :thumbsup:

As to why I say there isn't discussion as to who is the best, it's because in my experiences Orr is always considered the best defenceman. I'm sure there is one hell of an argument for Lidstrom, though.

 

[gargaden]

To narrow a list of great defensemen down to one ????? I would have to go with ::::::::::: # 4 Bobby Orr

 

[titsrock]

Bobby Orr>Raymond Bourque>Chris Chelios>everyone else :thefinger

Has an American (other than Chelios) ever worn the "C" for Montreal? :dunno: