Adam Kirshenblatt: Making the Case: Nicklas Lidstrom

Adam Kirshenblatt: Making the Case: Nicklas Lidstrom
- MasWE

The only surprise is if it is not unanimous.

There is zero case that needs to be made here....

The only surprise is if it is not unanimous.

There is zero case that needs to be made here....
- Mashadar

couldnt agree more, top three dman ever imo

I miss Nik, he to me is the model used when describing how a Detroit Red Wing should conduct himself on the ice. No chance he isnt top of the list in 2015.

If Nicklas Lidstrom decided to return tomorrow he'd probably still be, at the very worst, the Red Wings' second-best defenseman.

I'm 41 and he is the greatest defensemen I ever saw. The definition of a first ballot hall of famer and a generational talent. Zero case needs to be made.

I never saw Bobby Orr play. Saw Larry Robinson play but he was on his last legs with LA. Ray Bourque was as dynamic as a defensemen could be. Paul Coffey was one of the most fluid skating blueliners in NHL history. Brian Leetch, at his peak, was a special defenseman.

But for all of the great ones aside from Orr, mentioned or not, there isn't another defensemen in league history I would take above Lidstrom. One of the five most complete players in the last forty years.

The only surprise is if it is not unanimous.

There is zero case that needs to be made here....
- Mashadar

Yeah, if anyone needs to have why Lidstrom is a hall of famer explained to them, then they shouldn't ever watch hockey again.

I never saw Bobby Orr play. Saw Larry Robinson play but he was on his last legs with LA. Ray Bourque was as dynamic as a defensemen could be. Paul Coffey was one of the most fluid skating blueliners in NHL history. Brian Leetch, at his peak, was a special defenseman.

But for all of the great ones aside from Orr, mentioned or not, there isn't another defensemen in league history I would take above Lidstrom. One of the five most complete players in the last forty years.
- MidnightMarauder

And the other great defensemen of his era, Borque, Niedermayer, Leetch all were first ballot HOFers.

I miss Lidstrom

Hell of a player, glad I got to watch him play growing up. One of my all time favourites



Oh, and Malkin in 2009 is missing for this part

"Since then, the only European to win the Conn Smythe since was Henrik Zetterberg with the Red Wings in 2008"

Do you really need to make a case? I don't believe many people would argue that he doesn't belong in the hall of fame.

Even those who hate "soft Euros" couldn't make a legit case against him.

The guy was the definition of a great hockey player.

I miss Lidstrom

Hell of a player, glad I got to watch him play growing up. One of my all time favourites



Oh, and Malkin in 2009 is missing for this part

"Since then, the only European to win the Conn Smythe since was Henrik Zetterberg with the Red Wings in 2008"
- daredwingsman19

Apologies, I will fix this

Do you really need to make a case? I don't believe many people would argue that he doesn't belong in the hall of fame.
- Grinder47

Didn't need to, but if you read the beginning of the blog you woulda seen that I wanted to have a spot for all the accolades to be in one spot. It's good for comparing it to bubble guys. Not to mention the fact that I can't exactly ignore making one for guys like Lidstrom when we all know it's as close to a slam dunk as you can get.

I'm anxious to see the blog of this for Pronger since he is ruled eligible in 2015. Seems like he'll make it... but in no way a slam dunk like Lidstrom.

I miss Lidstrom

Hell of a player, glad I got to watch him play growing up. One of my all time favourites



Oh, and Malkin in 2009 is missing for this part

"Since then, the only European to win the Conn Smythe since was Henrik Zetterberg with the Red Wings in 2008"
- daredwingsman19

uh, Europe is not the continent malkin is from. He is not European.

I'm anxious to see the blog of this for Pronger since he is ruled eligible in 2015. Seems like he'll make it... but in no way a slam dunk like Lidstrom.
- Antilles

Won a Norris and a Hart Trophy (the only defenseman to do that other than Bobby Orr since 1940). Took Edmonton to a Stanley Cup final in his only year there. Wins a cup the next year with Anaheim, goes to Philly and takes them to a cup final. He may "only" have 700 points but he has made a huge impact on every team that he has played on, I'd say he gets in.

uh, Europe is not the continent malkin is from. He is not European.
- Zmloste

I do believe Russia is considered a European country

uh, Europe is not the continent malkin is from. He is not European.
- Zmloste

I don't really want to get into geography semantics but Russia is part of both Europe and Asia

Yeah, if anyone needs to have why Lidstrom is a hall of famer explained to them, then they shouldn't ever watch hockey again.
- smellmyfinger

Or watch WAY more of it. Lidstrom was as solid of a guy that a franchise has ever had. Two decades of consistently great play, great leadership, etc.

You know if it's not unanimous it's because someone is trying to make a statement. And even then, what statement is there to be made? Get him in there.