VanNuck Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Just recently, pundits have been beginning to tout Niklas Lidstrom as the second greatest blueliner behind Bobby Orr, in lieu of his seven Norris trophies and longevity. I actually go one step further and would tout him as better than Orr himself, but that is another subject for another time. But there is still another blueliner who deserves acknowledgement: Ray Bourque, the Bruins’ other great blueliner. Harry Sinden, who had coached both Bourque and Orr, indicated that Bourque had been the better defensive defenseman of the two, so that ought to count heavily for Bourque. Like Lidstrom, Bourque too had good vision and intuition, which served him well on defense, but he had many other assets: he was faster, more physical, and a better shooter. He was also more potent offensively, averaging around 80 points per season, until his last three or four seasons – during which time, he still scored around 50 points. Lidstrom, well the best offensive season he ever had was 80 points – he is nowhere near on pace for catching Bourque. Bourque has won only five Norris trophies, but I feel he deserved a few more – especially in 1984, after a 31-goal, 93-point season, but the Norris instead went to Rod Langway who never scored more than three goals in a season. He never won the Cup until his final season, unlike Triple Gold Club member Lidstrom, but that had more to do with their teams as a whole – and timing. Lidstrom’s Red Wings were paramount in the league, while Bourque’s Bruins in their best days were stuck behind the powerhouse Oilers. So what do you guys think? Who is the better defender, Bourque or Lidstrom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire_Spiky Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I'd go with Lidstrom for an all around defensemen and Bourque as the offensive defenseman. You also gotta realize when Bourque put up his big numbers was while the league average for goals was much higher than it today for Lidstrom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilya Mikheyev Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom easy! Players often get glorified long after they've retired. 4 Stanley Cups. Led OG defenseman in points & won gold. SEVEN Norris trophies. 258 playoff games. WC Gold, Silver and Bronze (for SWEDEN). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift-4 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Coin flip for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 It is close, but I'd have to say Lidstrom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mau5trap Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom Okay next topic: Apples Vs. Oranges Go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom by a hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire_Spiky Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom Okay next topic: Apples Vs. Oranges Go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kubrick Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Another great Lidstrom stat: Never played a game for the Boston Bruins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rink on Renfrew Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hmmm well this is a tough one for me. I was very young when #77 played, plus the coverage just wasn't there when Ray played. Defenseman had a lot more freedom and smaller goalies back in the day so a 80 point season would most likely average 65 or less in this era/dead puck era. Lidstroms hockey IQ is off the charts, not a slight on Bourque but I'd side with Lidstrom, he makes everything so easy for his teammates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberries Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom is the best dman ever to play the game imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Sikes Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Lidstrom is the best dman ever to play the game imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grapes-N-Canucks Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Bobby Orr then Lidstrom then oranges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Orr dominated all 3 zones and all situations, fought and won the scoring title as a defenceman /thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Orr dominated all 3 zones and all situations, fought and won the scoring title as a defenceman /thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uber_pwnzor Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Just recently, pundits have been beginning to tout Niklas Lidstrom as the second greatest blueliner behind Bobby Orr, in lieu of his seven Norris trophies and longevity. I actually go one step further and would tout him as better than Orr himself, but that is another subject for another time. But there is still another blueliner who deserves acknowledgement: Ray Bourque, the Bruins’ other great blueliner. Harry Sinden, who had coached both Bourque and Orr, indicated that Bourque had been the better defensive defenseman of the two, so that ought to count heavily for Bourque. Like Lidstrom, Bourque too had good vision and intuition, which served him well on defense, but he had many other assets: he was faster, more physical, and a better shooter. He was also more potent offensively, averaging around 80 points per season, until his last three or four seasons – during which time, he still scored around 50 points. Lidstrom, well the best offensive season he ever had was 80 points – he is nowhere near on pace for catching Bourque. Bourque has won only five Norris trophies, but I feel he deserved a few more – especially in 1984, after a 31-goal, 93-point season, but the Norris instead went to Rod Langway who never scored more than three goals in a season. He never won the Cup until his final season, unlike Triple Gold Club member Lidstrom, but that had more to do with their teams as a whole – and timing. Lidstrom’s Red Wings were paramount in the league, while Bourque’s Bruins in their best days were stuck behind the powerhouse Oilers. So what do you guys think? Who is the better defender, Bourque or Lidstrom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Aerosex Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Lidstrom, but it's very close. Bourque's higher numbers came during a much higher scoring era. As the dead puck era came in, his numbers became more similar to Lidstrom's. He was more physical, but Lidstrom's sheer genius kinda neutralizes that, and I think the Swede is better defensively. Then you take into consideration that Lidstrom has won a Conn Smythe, 3 more Stanley Cups, 2 more Norris trophies, and is a member of the Triple Gold Club. However, Bourque has an incredible individual legacy as the highest-scoring defence man ever, the third highest career +/-, and many other records. I'd say in sheer ability, Lidstrom edges him out. Individual legacy, Bourque comes out on top. As an x-factor, Lidstrom has won more and at different levels. So I'm just barely giving this one to Lidstrom. 2 legendary players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Bourque - better statistics while playing in a different era / Lidstrom - more successful while playing on a better team. This is a tough one. Denis Potvin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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