I’m a homer (doh) so Chara is my pick. The guys wing span was an offense killer and nobody was better (arguably) at clearing the front of the net and had the unique ability to cover the bet + slot from the same position because of his size. Unique because of his size, strength and skating ability paired with high IQ and a mean streak makes Chara one of the most unique players to ever play and deserves to be in consideration for top shut down D man in history.
by Rowbot19
35 Comments
Would say Langway, HM to Robinson/Lidstrom.
Langway gets some shit for his Norris wins in retrospect with his offensive numbers (particularly 1984 with Coffey/Bourque as the runner-ups), and while I don’t agree with him winning it either with the offensive gap, he really was absurdly good defensively and fully committed to that side of the puck. Those Caps teams were not very good, if you throw on an old game from the mid-80s Caps and just focus on him, you’ll see how effective/versatile he was defending. Definitely a similar style of defending to Robinson, it’s insane they were teammates (along with Savard/Lapointe on that blueline).
Lidstrom
Nope, I’m not gonna step on OP’s acknowledged bias.
Not. Going. To. Do. It.
Lidstrom
Brock Faber
/s *but only kinda? Idk, kid’s a stud.
I’m a hawks fan and I’m gonna say Lidstrom is the best D-man in the history of the Show
Nicklas Lidström…hence the nickname “The Perfect Human”.
Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Blake, Pronger and maybe Stevens are all defensively better than Chara IMO.
Larry Robinson.
tyler myers hehe
Probably Lidstrom. But I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t rather play against him than Chris Pronger.
I don’t think Scott Stevens gets enough credit. People talk about his hits, but the dude played 22 seasons and was never a minus player for any of those seasons.
It is Nicklas Lidstrom. Bobby Orr was a greater scorer, but Lidstrom was best on both sides of the ice.
Chad Ruhwedel
The Perfect Human – #5 Nicklas Lidstrom.
As a Slovak Canadian, I’d love to agree with OP and say Chara… but as a Wings fan, I have to say Lidstrom. Even Rafalski said he could’ve played until he was in his 40s next to Lidstrom because his positioning was always perfect, which resulted in Rafalski not having to do very much.
Also, he is nicknamed “The Perfect Human” for a reason.
The best defensive defenseman I ever saw was Rod Langway.
Lidstrom
Scott Stevens, fucking asshole
Chelios
Lidstrom Pronger or Stevens. and I love Chara as much as the next.
What ive seen in my lifetime? Lidström(swedish bias), Pronger, Blake.
Larry Robinson
Seidenberg is often overlooked because of Chara. The dude was an absolute wall. Completely elite for 2-3 years. Not hall of fame because his career started slow and he ended playing not so well.
But THE answer is Lidstrom
Scott Stevens, from someone who hates the Devils.
Chris Pronger imo. Absolute workhorse in his prime. Last Dman to win the Hart, 24 years ago. Last one before him was Bobby Orr lol quite the company to keep.
Lidstrom
Larry Robinson +722
The Perfect Human
PURE Shutdown? Niklas Hjalmarsson.
Have to go with Lindstom or Coffey.
N. Lidstrom. No other appropriate response.
Lidstrom or Niedermayer
Pronger
Scott Stevens. Chara. Pronger in his hey day.