27 replies to this topic

[CaliWingsNut]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=303550

[cjm502]

LOL @ OV and Crosby getting votes.

NEWS FLASH: THEY MISSED MUCH OF THIS PAST DECADE.

[jollymania]

Why isn't Aaron Downey on this list? FAIL.

[Mike Mann]

Only two cups huh? Nice....

[bonan78]

LOL @ OV and Crosby getting votes.

NEWS FLASH: THEY MISSED MUCH OF THIS PAST DECADE.

Agreed, you can't really be considered the player of the decade when you played less than half of it, no matter how big of an impact you had.

That being said, I think Lidstrom gets the nod, with Brodeur a close second.

Iginla has been steady, brilliant at times, but only one SCF appearance during that time.
Neidermayer was a consistently great player, but the only Cup he was really a major factor in was in Anaheim.
Thornton has had great regular seasons but has been a constant playoff choker.
Sakic had a brilliant first half of the decade, but didn't really do much in the latter half to warrant being called player of the decade.

[jollymania]

It is between Thornton, Iginla, Lidstrom and Brodeur

[thedisappearer]

It is between Thornton, Iginla, Lidstrom and Brodeur

Yep. And I voted Lids, Thorns, Brods, and Iggy.

[redwingfan19]

eh.... i say lidstrom, but cmon it's TSN and its Canada. Of course broduer is going to win. It's pretty much debatable between those two. No one else comes close

[Shady Ultima]

Dammit... Carman voted for Crosby didn't he?

Seriously, it has to be Lids or Brodeur. I don't even count Ovy or Sid, because if you were not playing in 00 (when Sid was in GRADE SCHOOL), you can't be player of the decade.

As for 2010-2019... who knows, maybe one of them will be.

[Echolalia]

Nobody can really hold a candle to Lids or Brodeur. Out of that list, they are the only ones to actually play in the majority of the decade but also will go down in history as one of (if not the) best in their position all time (I'd maybe include Sakic on that list also, but the forward role is pretty stacked in history). Now its just a matter of figuring out whether Lids was more monumental at defense or Brodeur was at goalie.

Edited by Echolalia, 30 December 2009 - 03:22 AM.

[SweWings]

Brodeur takes it for Canada and Lidström takes it for the Red Wings, not really a surprise there is it?

[rh007]

Brodeur takes it for Canada and Lidström takes it for the Red Wings, not really a surprise there is it?

Totally right. Canadiens have some problems with european players ;-) Remember when Nick takes the Cup as the first european captain... or when they compare Ovechkin and Crosby... Don Cherry is calling...

[CaliWingsNut]

It's funny none has voted Brodeur, yet several have stated him as only competition for Lidstrom.

[BeeRYCE]

Holy Lidstrom Batman. Yes, I voted for Lidstrom... I think he's the best but not in a huge landslide over Brodeur or Thornton (More points than anyone over the last 10 years).

[Carman]

I actually voted Lidstrom. But Crosby is a very close second.

[Heroes of Hockeytown]

I actually voted Lidstrom. But Crosby is a very close second.

Nick Lidstrom can inspire anyone to do great things.

[PrairieDawg]

this isnt the perfect place but doing it anway.... Im not canadien but great job Stevie....NOT. Lets leave off a guy who is second in the entire league at his position in +/- has more hits then Chris Pronger Dan Boyle Duncan Keith Scott Niedermayer tied for the lead in goals for his position tied for second in the league in assists for his position & then has more points then 13 players named. The only players who outscored him are Thornton Crosby Getzlaf Perry & Marleau while Iginla equaled him in points. Once gain great job Stevie have fun beating Ovechkin Backstrom or even Jagr or Charas team. Gold-Russia Silver-Sweden Bronze-best of the rest (Czechs Finns Slovaks)

I was offended on Stevie's behalf from this comment, and even more because it had a +4 next to it...

[Marty Barry]

Uwe Krupp?

[eva unit zero]

Well, to determine a player of the decade we should first determine the best at each position.

Defense is clearly Lidstrom; six Norrises and a Conn Smythe in leading the Wings to two Cups plus a gold medal for Sweden. Pretty convincing.

Goaltending is pretty clear as well. Brodeur has won four Vezinas in the same timeframe, won a Cup and a gold medal. Only Hasek has more Vezinas under the current rules, and no other goalie has more than one Vezina in the decade.

Which leaves forwards.

Forwards who have been named to the first or second team at their position four times include:
LW: Alexander Ovechkin
RW: Jarome Iginla

Forwards who have been named to the first or second team at their position three times include:
C: Joe Sakic, Joe Thornton
LW: Markus Naslund

Forwards with two selections include:
C: Mats Sundin, Evgeni Malkin
LW/RW: Dany Heatley
RW: Jaromir Jagr

That's twenty of a possible 48 selections spent on four centers and five wingers. So we'll start consideration from these eight.

Art Ross trophy: Sakic, Thornton, Ovechkin, Iginla, and Malkin once each from this list.
Hart trophy: Ovechkin twice, Sakic and Thornton each once.
Pearson award: Ovechkin twice, Sakic, Iginla, Naslund, and Jagr each once.
Richard trophy: Ovechkin twice, Sakic, Iginla, Naslund, and Jagr each once.
NHL assists leader: Thornton three times, Jagr and Malkin each once.

So from all of this, the dominant forward at each position this decade is:
C: Joe Sakic
LW: Alexander Ovechkin
RW: Jarome Iginla

Who wins from that group? Ovechkin has been one of the top three forwards in the world since entering the league. Ovechkin is the only one who has shown clear dominance over others at his position for several years. Sakic and Iginla were the best at their position multiple times, but did not show clear dominance over others at their position. Sakic and Iginla, unlike Ovechkin, were also much closer to the other star players at all three forward positions than Ovechkin has been.

So it comes down to Lidstrom, Brodeur, and Ovechkin. In that order. They have been the most dominant players at their respective positions, which is shown further by the fact that no other player has been named the best at his position four or more times.

[swedishconnection]

That Netminder from NJ is pretty good. Maybe the best ever. And that says a lot. Shutout record is nothing to take lightly. 2 Cups? Pretty decent- elite even. Gold looks good too. Credit where credit is due.

Now for that Defenceman -
2 Stanley Cups this decade. One at the beginning, one at the end - consistency. 4 total cups.
6 Norris Trophies, 2 additional finalists
1 Conn Smythe
Leads decade in defensive points
Leads decade in Plus/minus (even though it is a debatable stat)
1 Olympic Gold Medal
First European to win Conn Smythe
First European to Captain a team to the Cup
First European-born defenceman to reach 1000 points (2009)
Detroit Red Wings' franchise record for points in a season for a defenceman, 2005–06 (80)
Detroit Red Wings' franchise record for most post season assists (119)
Became member of Triple Gold Club with Olympic win


I am sure I am missing something on there, for both Lids and Martin.