Where does Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom rank amongst the all-time great defenceman?
No surprise, really, that veteran defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom has not made his mind up on whether he'll continue his Hall of Fame career or call it a day.
"I'm going to take my time on my decision," Lidstrom said following a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks in a game that sent the winner to the Western Conference championship series. The Red Wings expect to get Lidstrom's final decision before July 1 when free agent season kicks off.
If Lidstrom retires, the debate begins as to his standing among the best defenceman in the history of the game. There are numerous candidates, but surely nobody can deny that Bobby Orr is No. 1.
Although Orr's career was cut short by knee injuries, he was the most dominant defender -- if not player -- of all-time, scoring 270 goals and 915 points in 657 games mostly played with the Boston Bruins.
Orr led the Bruins to two Stanley Cup championships while winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman a record eight times. He won two scoring championships, was named MVP three times and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP twice. Orr was no patsy, either. He also accumulated 953 penalty minutes in his career and was regarded as one of the best fighters in the game.
If we assume Orr is the best ever, then it is safe to say Lidstrom is a logical and legitimate contender for No. 2 in a group that also includes Denis Potvin, Paul Coffey, Scott Niedermayer, Ray Bourque, Eddie Shore and Doug Harvey. Tough choice!
Harvey won six Cups while Lidstrom, Potvin and Coffey won four apiece. Bourque was a scoring machine wracking up 410 goals and 1,579 points in 1,612 games while Coffey, one of the most graceful skaters to ever glide through the NHL, scored a whopping 396 goals and 1,531 points in 1,409 games.
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Poll
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If Bobby Orr is the greatest defenceman of all time, who do you think is No. 2?
Potvin was one of the toughest defenceman to ever play in the NHL and had 310 goals and 1,356 points in 1,060 games. Niedermayer, like Coffey, was known for his skating and scoring ability and had 172 goals and 740 points in 1,263 games. Lidstrom, meanwhile, has 253 goals and 1,108 points in 1,494 games and will surely add to his totals if he comes back for a 20th season.
In terms of Norris Trophy wins, Harvey won it seven times. Lidstrom has it over the rest of the competition with six. Even more interesting is the fact he was runner-up three times before he won his first. Bourque won it five times; Potvin won three; Coffey two and Niedermayer one.
Not so easy to pick No. 2, is it?
As for Lidstrom continuing, it really comes down to how much more he wants to sacrifice his body and time away from his family. Based on his high level of play this year, there's no question there's plenty left in the tank for Lidstrom to continue being an elite competitor.
Is West really best?
All year we hear how the teams in the Eastern Conference are playing for the right to lose to the Western Conference champion in the Stanley Cup final. This year, I'm not so sure.
Both the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks, who have each blown 3-0 series leads in this year's playoffs only to win in seven games, have plenty of question marks as they prepare to battle in the Western final. In Vancouver there are still concerns about the Sedins’ level of play in the post-season as well as Roberto Luongo's ability to win at this time of year. Likewise, people wonder if San Jose's Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have what it takes to win deep in the playoffs.
Sid vs. who?
If Sidney Crosby is the best hockey player in the world -- and it says here he is -- then who is No. 2? It was a race between Crosby and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals prior to this season, but as push came to shove and you needed one player (not Crosby) for one game, how do you not take Pavel Datsyuk of the Red Wings? Datsyuk's performance against San Jose in Round 2 was one for the ages. Despite playing with a sore wrist, he was the most dominant individual on both teams. Datsyuk leaves the playoffs tied for the scoring lead with four goals and 15 points in 11 games. Imagine if he had been healthy? What separates Datsyuk from most other players is his level of compete. He brings it every time he's on the ice.
