LIdstrom named NHL player of the decade by the Sporting News

[LisaM]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090924/SPORTS0103/909240469/Nicklas-Lidstrom-named-NHL-Player-of-Decade-by-magazine

The Red Wings did well in general, but I thought I'd give props to Liddie, because this is extremely well deserved.

[Forkboy]

1. I won't argue with that at all.

The 2nd best defenseman to ever play the game, imo.

[inthebrain]

2. You put him up there with Orr, Potvin and Borque?

Not me.

Good Defensemen but not in their league.

[Forkboy]

3. Not with Orr, no, but yes to the rest, easily.

Orr is the best, and I still think ahead of all the others by a lot. I live in the Boston area and watched Bourque's entire career. He was amazing night in and night out, but Lidstrom has been just a solid, and I say that with a home team bias for Boston. Lidstrom isn't as flashy as Bourque could be, but he's as solid as anyone I've ever seen. He's calm, collected, and makes the smart play 99% of the time. He used in all situations, PP, PK, even strength, and he excels in all of them.

He's led his team to as many Cups as Potvin, he's just not nearly as rough and tumble (or as fun to watch) as Potvin was. Lidstrom doesn't rely on the big check or fighting, he's more a thinking man's defenseman.

I can think of a bunch of great defensemen, from Robinson to Hull to Stevens (my personal favorite), and when you look at it as objectively as possible by any measure of defense in the NHL, Lidstrom belongs up there with any of them.

Except Orr.

[inthebrain]

4. My thinking is more along the lines that Lidstrom benefitted from the trap

or left wing lock, some variation of it, in his day. Borque, Orr and Potvin didn't have that benefit in their day.

Having grown up with the Islanders and lucky enough to have watched Potvin, I wonder how well he would have faired with the system style of play they had back then. The game today as a whole is a thinking mans game. I don't have much dissagreement with you there. Funny how even after the lockout many of the really dumb defensemen in this league got weeded out.

For me it's more of a preference to a certain style. Maybe a little homerism as well. All around I think Potvin might have been the best to ever play the game. Especially when later on in years when his release was slower he was one mean nasty son of a bitch. Gretzky called him the best defensemen he ever faced.

If I had an all time team Orr and Potvin would be my #1 and #2. Bourque my #3 and Lidstrom my #4.

[MrSlayer]

5. I have to concur.

Nick Lidstrom is one of the best players ever and has as much class as he has talent. Too bad he's on a team I hate.

[LisaM]

6. Lidstrom has been a workhorse and (according to Babcock) skates younger than his age

because he is such an efficient skater. I like watching him. He really is effortless. He's a good ambassador for the game, too.

[Baclava]

7. Whatever. Lord Stanley's Cup is in Mario's pool.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hZuoTjvh1kc/SkJJUHZCHPI/AAAAAAAAB4w/Gub7S4LApHA/s400/Stanley+Cup+pool1.jpg

ha