The comparison Orr vs Lindström will always be there.
Let’s just enjoy their magnificence. Two great players.
NoPromotion9440
I am a Wings fan, and Lidstrom is my favourite Wing ever. But I’m sorry, it’s Orr and then everyone else (in no particular order – Lidstrom, Potvin, Robinson, Bourque, Fetisov (Red Army), Coffey, Harvey, Park)
Proper-Search5141
This is amazing, has a investigative reporting vibe.
dylanisbored
Yeah and Seider is #2
CrimRaven85
Dunno if he is, but he sure as hell is in that conversation
420yoloswagepicjesus
For me it’s Orr, but Lidstrom is definitely second for me!
Stetzy93
Lidstrom is definitely on the Mt Rushmore of defensemen greats.
And I think that’s a better discussion to have than one specific greatest Dman
CryptoMemesLOL
One of the GOAT that’s for sure.
VastOregano
Hands down the greatest for the 90s-2000s era
p_jay
I was on the glass in San Jose. Lidstrom backhand flipped a pass through the neutral zone about 30 feet. Hit Datsyuk in stride, clear breakaway scoring chance. Both skated to the bench like it was another day at the office. Probably one of the greatest offensive plays I have seen.
Sekshual_Tyranosauce
It’s Orr or Lidstrom. Two very, very different d men. I won’t argue with anyone who picks either.
casinodwarf
Lidstrom is a hockey god. I was at the game in Vancouver in 2002 when he scored from centre ice. One of my favourite sports memories.
Seeing him lift the cup as Captain (on TV of course) was pretty darn special.
However, Orr was probably better.
wcrich
No. No onewill ever approach Bobby Orr. I am very lucky to have watched him regularly when I was a kid.
GratefulGrassman
As a die hard Red Wings fans who grew up watching Liddy I’m sorry to say but Orr was one of a kind. Lidstrom is #2 but Bobby Orr was Bobby Orr.
PreviouslyRelevant
Orr changed the position into what we know defenseman as today. Lidstrom perfected it. Bobby Orr is the greatest.
DishRelative5853
Greatest is different than best. Considering who they played against, Lidstrom might be the better player. But if we consider his impact on the game, Orr is the greatest d-man.
Comfortable-Fill3123
Consistent excellence, a leader, absolutely zero trouble on or off the ice, family man, durability, and a pro’s pro.
Like honestly say one thing about the man or the player that is anything less than excellent.
helio987
I never watched orr play except a few times on old games on tv. He was from a different planet, much more advanced than everyone else, so he stood out. Nick played in a time when it was more balanced but he was at the top. I had season tix for the wings so I got to see first hand his mastery of the position. Which he rarely was out of position. If it was a 2 on 1, he smoothly skated backwards and always had a right position to cut the pass off or force player to shoot and goalie had easy save. If he cut the pass off, he easily made the right pass to move the play the other way. Great player, #1 of post Orr era, my only beef with him is he stole my table once but that’s a different story.
erictho77
No. Ray Bourque probably is the GOAT.
WingedWheelWins
Because he played at a time when no one could skate, Orr is number 1? Lids was the best defenseman when everyone had talent. Number 5 in your program, but number 1 in my heart. Best d man of all time.
thor128
Pretty much.
khutuluhoop
I think he is
dendrofiili
I’ve seen some pretty good defensemen in my 30+ years i’ve watched hockey. Lidstrom is still the best i’ve seen overall.
derekexcelcisor
He said that the expanded area behind the net gave the defense a huge advantage. His awareness Stat was 100. He’s the best.
Flowsnice
I miss him. We really got spoiled with Yzerman and Lidstrom
jazzmaster1055
The word duh comes to mind.
Williamson_lol
2nd after Orr.
Orr leading the league in scoring multiple times is really hard to ignore.
Numerous_Resist_8863
Best of his era, no question.
I still think, based on what he did, when he did it, & really the way he revolutionized the position & ultimately, the sport, still got to go with Bobby Orr as the 🐐 defenseman.
darthjeary
Yes
hifioctopi
There’s a argument.
sluggerotoole1
One if 3. Certainly
BillMcCrearysStache
I think there may be one guy thats kinda head and shoulders above the rest
half_breed_duck
I think he’s the top for the modern defenseman. I think Chara would be second. Before those eras I’ll defer to the Mount Rushmore statement, I don’t really know prior to that. Off the ice stuff not being included.
MacPh1sto
Yes.
/thread
johannesBrost1337
Sverige baby!
Cleets11
Second behind only Orr. And that’s only because Orr had the potential to be the greatest of all time had he had a longer career. Lidstrom is at minimum top 7 players of all time.
37 Comments
Bobby Orr would like to have a word.
The comparison Orr vs Lindström will always be there.
Let’s just enjoy their magnificence. Two great players.
I am a Wings fan, and Lidstrom is my favourite Wing ever. But I’m sorry, it’s Orr and then everyone else (in no particular order – Lidstrom, Potvin, Robinson, Bourque, Fetisov (Red Army), Coffey, Harvey, Park)
This is amazing, has a investigative reporting vibe.
Yeah and Seider is #2
Dunno if he is, but he sure as hell is in that conversation
For me it’s Orr, but Lidstrom is definitely second for me!
Lidstrom is definitely on the Mt Rushmore of defensemen greats.
And I think that’s a better discussion to have than one specific greatest Dman
One of the GOAT that’s for sure.
Hands down the greatest for the 90s-2000s era
I was on the glass in San Jose. Lidstrom backhand flipped a pass through the neutral zone about 30 feet. Hit Datsyuk in stride, clear breakaway scoring chance. Both skated to the bench like it was another day at the office. Probably one of the greatest offensive plays I have seen.
It’s Orr or Lidstrom. Two very, very different d men. I won’t argue with anyone who picks either.
Lidstrom is a hockey god. I was at the game in Vancouver in 2002 when he scored from centre ice. One of my favourite sports memories.
Seeing him lift the cup as Captain (on TV of course) was pretty darn special.
However, Orr was probably better.
No. No onewill ever approach Bobby Orr. I am very lucky to have watched him regularly when I was a kid.
As a die hard Red Wings fans who grew up watching Liddy I’m sorry to say but Orr was one of a kind. Lidstrom is #2 but Bobby Orr was Bobby Orr.
Orr changed the position into what we know defenseman as today. Lidstrom perfected it. Bobby Orr is the greatest.
Greatest is different than best. Considering who they played against, Lidstrom might be the better player. But if we consider his impact on the game, Orr is the greatest d-man.
Consistent excellence, a leader, absolutely zero trouble on or off the ice, family man, durability, and a pro’s pro.
Like honestly say one thing about the man or the player that is anything less than excellent.
I never watched orr play except a few times on old games on tv. He was from a different planet, much more advanced than everyone else, so he stood out. Nick played in a time when it was more balanced but he was at the top. I had season tix for the wings so I got to see first hand his mastery of the position. Which he rarely was out of position. If it was a 2 on 1, he smoothly skated backwards and always had a right position to cut the pass off or force player to shoot and goalie had easy save. If he cut the pass off, he easily made the right pass to move the play the other way. Great player, #1 of post Orr era, my only beef with him is he stole my table once but that’s a different story.
No. Ray Bourque probably is the GOAT.
Because he played at a time when no one could skate, Orr is number 1? Lids was the best defenseman when everyone had talent. Number 5 in your program, but number 1 in my heart. Best d man of all time.
Pretty much.
I think he is
I’ve seen some pretty good defensemen in my 30+ years i’ve watched hockey. Lidstrom is still the best i’ve seen overall.
He said that the expanded area behind the net gave the defense a huge advantage. His awareness Stat was 100. He’s the best.
I miss him. We really got spoiled with Yzerman and Lidstrom
The word duh comes to mind.
2nd after Orr.
Orr leading the league in scoring multiple times is really hard to ignore.
Best of his era, no question.
I still think, based on what he did, when he did it, & really the way he revolutionized the position & ultimately, the sport, still got to go with Bobby Orr as the 🐐 defenseman.
Yes
There’s a argument.
One if 3. Certainly
I think there may be one guy thats kinda head and shoulders above the rest
I think he’s the top for the modern defenseman. I think Chara would be second. Before those eras I’ll defer to the Mount Rushmore statement, I don’t really know prior to that. Off the ice stuff not being included.
Yes.
/thread
Sverige baby!
Second behind only Orr. And that’s only because Orr had the potential to be the greatest of all time had he had a longer career. Lidstrom is at minimum top 7 players of all time.