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Comparing Bourque and Lidstrom
by IwoCPO on 12/17/07 at 07:28 AM ET
Comments (5)
There are more than a few blogs with content so superior to ours that I get embarrassed and sad when I read them. So generally, I just avoid them altogether. Greatest Hockey Legends is one. Joe Pelletier has decided to compare Nick Lidstrom and Ray Bourque and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the result. Dive fans who believe Bourque played his entire 1.23 year career in Denver are rejoicing.
Another pretty telling stat for me is post season All Star awards. In 19 of his 22 seasons Bourque was either on the first or second team, including in each of his first 15 NHL seasons. Lidstrom has “only” been honoured 8 times in 15 complete seasons, with more sure to follow. But it took him 7 years before his first all star nod.
It is the only statistical anomaly between these two great defenders. A case could even be made to suggest Bourque faced stiffer competition for All Star honours. As such, I conclude Ray Bourque’s legacy ranks him ahead of the still growing legacy of Niklas Lidstrom. But only for the time being.
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If he were to somehow challenge Bobby Orr’s 8 titles or Doug Harvey’s 7, then I think I’d be ready to give Lidstrom the nod over Bourque.
At least he is willing to leave room for future consideration. Lidstrom will certainly have the Norris this year and I have money on him for the next year as well. More importantly, he has won (at least) 4 Cups. Yes, 4. f.o.u.r
I didn’t get a regular chance to see Bourque play during his prime, and I certainly had no mind to compare his style. And I reject all wishy-washy arguments that say they were the greatest of their eras, whose dominance cannot be either compared or sullied by leaky ink pens. That’s just garbage.
So, with my limited viewing experience and subjective sepulcher in hand, I anoint Andreas Lilja the greatest defenseman ever.
Posted by srt on 12/17/07 at 01:30 PM ET
srt, I have to correct you. I anoint Andreas Lilja the greatest defenseman ever (that wears stupid ear guards on his helmet).
Posted by Nathan on 12/17/07 at 01:37 PM ET
pffffft! Different eras and style of play. My vote says Lidstrom, and hey, he’s got a few years left playing at The Joe.
Posted by cowboycoffee from San Francisco on 12/17/07 at 10:14 PM ET
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Disagree. All Star “awards” mean nothing. Also, level of competition is misleading. I think it’s a wash. The disparity in numbers is obviously due to the differences in the eras in which they played. Lidstrom was a playoff MVP and won 3 Cups in the prime of his career. Bourque was a better skater, better hitter, and more dynamic offensively, but Lidstrom is better positionally (thought Bourque was excellent, Lidstrom is just the best ever in that respect) and makes a better first pass (which is critical in the trap era he’s played in). I see the similarities between the two players, but the differences is where you really have to hash it out. I think they are just about equal.
Posted by Nathan on 12/17/07 at 09:09 AM ET