Nick Lidstrom is still the best D-man in the league

[Guest mindfly]

Article originally from THN.com but this is from swedish aftonbladet... based on the performance in the first half of the season, and they asked 90 players

NHL's MVP

1. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 47,8%

2. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh, 14,4%

3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit, 6,7%

NHL's Best Goalie

1. Tim Thomas, Boston, 31,1%

2. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose, 20%

3. Steve Mason, Columbus, 16,7%

NHL's Best Rookie

1. Steve Mason, Columbus, 41,1 %

2. Kris Versteeg, Chicago, 25,6 %

3. Blake Wheeler, Boston, 13,3 %

This years breakthrough in the NHL:

1. Jeff Carter, Philadelphia, 28,9%

2. Phil Kessel, Boston, 21,1%

3. Steve Mason, Columbus, 6,7%

NHL's Best Defenseman

1. Nicklas Lidström, Detroit, 41,1%

2. Zdeno Chara, Boston, 24,2%

3. Dan Boyle, San Jose, 14,4%

Edited February 4, 2009 by mindfly

[seeinred 1,488]

I've been saying this from the beginning of the season. People are eager to give the Norris to someone else, but I said by the end of the season everyone will be back on Nick's jock.

It's cool to see Pavs get 2 votes in there too (I'm assuming it was 1 player from each team).

[AtomicPunk 296]

I think it would be BAD-ASS if Nick had the Umlauts over his name like the Swedish paper spells it.

[The Secret 304]

No surprise to me. Nick has been so consistent his whole career. Even a sub-par nick is heads and shoulders above most players best performances. Arguably one of the smartest players thats ever played the game.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Well that's good that his lead is so dominant over everyone else. I honestly expected it to be a lot closer this year, what with how much of an offseason it started off to be. Anyway I can't help but wonder if there is a certain stigma associated with not voting for Lidstrom as the best defensman.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

In my opinion, Lidstrom will always be hailed as one of the best defenseman to ever play the game - even if he messed up at the end of his career and makes a huge blunder.

He's practically flawless when it comes down to his individual play. These numbers don't surprise me in the slightest. If anything, they're well deserved.

[The Secret 304]

In my opinion, Lidstrom will always be hailed as one of the best defenseman to ever play the game - even if he messed up at the end of his career and makes a huge blunder.

He's practically flawless when it comes down to his individual play. These numbers don't surprise me in the slightest. If anything, they're well deserved.

I haven't seem him mess up and make a huge blunder yet. He might not have his usually perfect game going yet but he has far from been a liability or anything even remotely close. He's been our best defensemen despite not being at his normal level of play..... Yet. He's coming on, expect a Norris Winning second half and playoff run.. thats my call anyway.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I haven't seem him mess up and make a huge blunder yet. He might not have his usually perfect game going yet but he has far from been a liability or anything even remotely close. He's been our best defensemen despite not being at his normal level of play..... Yet. He's coming on, expect a Norris Winning second half and playoff run.. thats my call anyway.

Oh, no. I wasn't trying to say that he has messed up. I was saying that even if he DID, I still think he'd be revered in the NHL has one of the best defenseman to ever play the game.

I fully expect Lids to turn around and be the hot shot we've known him to be over the last however-many years.

[Wings_Rule_1010 4]

Something I have noticed is that when a opposing player is going one on one versus Lidstrom, he 95% of the time just dumps it in. Rarely do you see a player try to do moves around him. Players are scared of him. Not in the typical physical way, but because they know that if they try to take Lidstrom on, they won't get around him.

Edited February 4, 2009 by Wings_Rule_1010

[Ms_Hockey 0]

Something I have noticed is that when a opposing player is going one on one versus Lidstrom, he 95% of the time just dumps it in. Rarely do you see a player try to do moves around him. Players are scared of him. Not in the typical physical way, but because they know that if they try to take Lidstrom on, they won't get around him.

I've noticed that too. And not only that, but the inherently physical players on the other team don't hit Lidstrom unless they have to. It seems like he gets a free pass on a lot of the physical play - maybe out of pure respect.

Yzerman used to get the same thing.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

In my opinion, Lidstrom will always be hailed as one of the best defenseman to ever play the game - even if he messed up at the end of his career and makes a huge blunder.

He's practically flawless when it comes down to his individual play. These numbers don't surprise me in the slightest. If anything, they're well deserved.

He already is. Most people in the hockey world put him right behind Orr.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Someone reallllly needs to pass this on to ESPN and TSN! People should know that Lidstrom is still top dog in the eyes of the people who matter most- the actual players.

[seeinred 1,488]

Not once have I ever been worried about an odd-man rush with Nick back. I don't care if it was 5 on 1 with Nick back, I would be pretty sure that puck wasn't going in the net. And I'm not exaggerating either.

Edited February 4, 2009 by SeeinRed

[syntax 359]

Something I have noticed is that when a opposing player is going one on one versus Lidstrom, he 95% of the time just dumps it in. Rarely do you see a player try to do moves around him. Players are scared of him. Not in the typical physical way, but because they know that if they try to take Lidstrom on, they won't get around him.

I've noticed this as well, and it continuously amazes me. I've gotten so I watch hard as people skate toward him across the blue line, just to see the players reactions and Nick's counters.

[Icer 0]

You guys are preaching to the choir. Try posting this on the fan boards in Boston or San Jose and see what kind of response you get. There's no arguement that Lidstrom is still one of the top defensemen in the league, but there's a couple of guys out there having a pretty damn good year.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Even though this has to be one of his worse years, it's really hard to think of someone that has been better than Lids, or even on the the same level.

But anyone else think the Cap's Green will be a Norris contender this year? I don't know if he's the best defensively, but he's sick on the offense.

[Blueliner 69]

Something I have noticed is that when a opposing player is going one on one versus Lidstrom, he 95% of the time just dumps it in. Rarely do you see a player try to do moves around him. Players are scared of him. Not in the typical physical way, but because they know that if they try to take Lidstrom on, they won't get around him.

Not even the Great Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin can get around him.

[Blueliner 69]

Not once have I ever been worried about an odd-man rush with Nick back. I don't care if it was 5 on 1 with Nick back, I would be pretty sure that puck wasn't going in the net. And I'm not exaggerating either.

Make that a 5 on 1 with an empty net behind him.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He's still the best defenceman in the league, but he hasnt been the best defenceman this year. That's why I dont think he'll win the Norris, people are much to eager to give it to someone having a monster year like Boyle or Chara, but that doesnt mean there better.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I've noticed that too. And not only that, but the inherently physical players on the other team don't hit Lidstrom unless they have to. It seems like he gets a free pass on a lot of the physical play - maybe out of pure respect.

I think it's more a matter of they know that if Lidstrom has his head up (it's a rare occasion in which he doesn't), he's going to avoid their hit and set someone up for a nice pass due to the lack of coverage, and thus make them look like a fool.

Datsyuk gets a similar reaction. Most players make a sloppy or early pass if they see Pavel swooping at them.

[Dominator2005 558]

Article originally from THN.com but this is from swedish aftonbladet... based on the performance in the first half of the season, and they asked 90 players

NHL's MVP

1. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 47,8%

2. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh, 14,4%

3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit, 6,7%

NHL's Best Goalie

1. Tim Thomas, Boston, 31,1%

2. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose, 20%

3. Steve Mason, Columbus, 16,7%

NHL's Best Rookie

1. Steve Mason, Columbus, 41,1 %

2. Kris Versteeg, Chicago, 25,6 %

3. Blake Wheeler, Boston, 13,3 %

This years breakthrough in the NHL:

1. Jeff Carter, Philadelphia, 28,9%

2. Phil Kessel, Boston, 21,1%

3. Steve Mason, Columbus, 6,7%

NHL's Best Defenseman

1. Nicklas Lidström, Detroit, 41,1%

2. Zdeno Chara, Boston, 24,2%

3. Dan Boyle, San Jose, 14,4%

For this season - have to go with Chara...

[egroen 384]

He already is. Most people in the hockey world put him right behind Orr.

A lot would put Shore, Harvey and Bourque ahead of Lidstrom. Some still have Potvin ahead of him.

[Guest mindfly]

Hmm borque had alot of goals and pts but was he as solid as lidström in the defensive zone? how come bourque didnt recieve more norris then?

[egroen 384]

Hmm borque had alot of goals and pts but was he as solid as lidström in the defensive zone? how come bourque didnt recieve more norris then?

Yes. Maybe a smidgeon below Lidstrom defensively, but he also played a physical game.

If Lidstrom played during Bourque's time, Lidstrom would have a lot less Norrises as well -- there were a ton of HoF defensemen in the 80s and 90s - not so much right now.

Bourque's number of 1st and 2nd Team All Star selections is overwhelming and rivaled only by Gordie Howe.