Bobby Orr was great to be sure but a large part of his legacy is "might have been". I put Ray Bourque ahead of Orr on the virtue of having more than twice as many great years as Orr did. (Nearly 20 full years among the top 2-3 defensemen in the NHL, usually #1.) Potvin was great too but in terms of overall talent and longevity Ray's the man.
@canadianhockey1924 Amen man. Bobby Orr wasn't just the greatest defenseman of all time, he was the greatest hockey player of all time. I thought Denis Potvin was excellent. Orr came from another world.
Doug Harvey was Number #1 . Serge Savard learned the Spin Orama skating move off of watching Harvey play for Montreal. This is covered in Dick Irvin's book "THE HABS". Schultz has proven over and over again to be a big coward anytime someone showed up with half a backbone.
Denis Potvin: best all around defenseman in NHL history. His critics could not deal with the immense talent and the multiple Stanley Cup rings on the fingers of the captain of an outsider team like the Islanders.
While I can concede that the traditional consensus is that the G.O.A.T. distinction among defenseman goes to Orr, there is certainly a case to be made for Potvin, given that the (eventual) dynasty was built around him after he was drafted in '73, and that the other defensemen on that dynasty, while disciplined role players, were largely unspectacular. (no all-star appearances ever among the whole lot of them, with the exception of Dave Langevin one year) He is probably in anyone's top 5.
Sorry but i think these 5 are better than potvin...might even slip Lidstrom ahead of Potvin too. Although Potvin's '79 season alone would put him in some other person's list. And Bourque should be higher for me but I think he should have won a cup with the Bruins to solidify that.
You have to watch clips of just how much Potvin was the quarterback of that team to see how truly great he was. He brought the puck up, set up the plays, and made other guys on those teams much better than their God goven talent did, by virtue of his orchestrating the on-ice chemistry. This, in my view, puts him ahead of Coffey, Borque and Robinson. Harvey, in all honesty, I can't speak to because I was not around, but I won't argue with 5 cups. So Potvin should be 1, 2 or 3 in my book.
sorry hebbzy, Coffey was a great player but nowhere near number 4. no way, not even in the top 10. and i'd put Denis in the top 2 or 3 certainly. probably the most versatile defensemen ever(with a mean streak). and he captained 4 Stanley Cups
Bobby Orr was great to be sure but a large part of his legacy is "might have been". I put Ray Bourque ahead of Orr on the virtue of having more than twice as many great years as Orr did. (Nearly 20 full years among the top 2-3 defensemen in the NHL, usually #1.) Potvin was great too but in terms of overall talent and longevity Ray's the man.
WatchVenusSpa 7 months ago
wait a minute.....where was schultz head butting and pulling hair? he did that in every fight.....must've happened off camera.
Madisonrvr 8 months ago
@Madisonrvr He didn't do it in every fight. quite a few times, i'll give ya hat, but not all. and what ever it takes ot win
TheDaleDenton 7 months ago
@canadianhockey1924 Amen man. Bobby Orr wasn't just the greatest defenseman of all time, he was the greatest hockey player of all time. I thought Denis Potvin was excellent. Orr came from another world.
Waszma 8 months ago
Upon further review....POTVIN STILL SUCKS!!!!!!!!
eagle526 1 year ago
Doug Harvey was Number #1 . Serge Savard learned the Spin Orama skating move off of watching Harvey play for Montreal. This is covered in Dick Irvin's book "THE HABS". Schultz has proven over and over again to be a big coward anytime someone showed up with half a backbone.
Cupidville 1 year ago
best defenseman ever:
1. orr
2. lidstron
3. potvin
4. bourque
5. coffee
oceans19711 1 year ago
@oceans19711 ......either or both Al McInnis and Larry Robinson might surpass Coffey and Bourque on my list.
MrDaemonB 1 year ago
@oceans19711 Good list. I'd go:
1) Orr
2) Lidstrom and Bourque (tie)
3) Potvin
4) Stevens
5) Coffee
jefit 1 year ago
Denis Potvin: best all around defenseman in NHL history. His critics could not deal with the immense talent and the multiple Stanley Cup rings on the fingers of the captain of an outsider team like the Islanders.
Envelope86 3 years ago
While I can concede that the traditional consensus is that the G.O.A.T. distinction among defenseman goes to Orr, there is certainly a case to be made for Potvin, given that the (eventual) dynasty was built around him after he was drafted in '73, and that the other defensemen on that dynasty, while disciplined role players, were largely unspectacular. (no all-star appearances ever among the whole lot of them, with the exception of Dave Langevin one year) He is probably in anyone's top 5.
Envelope86 2 years ago
1. Orr
2. Harvey
3. Robinson
4. Coffey
5. Bourque
6. Potvin
Sorry but i think these 5 are better than potvin...might even slip Lidstrom ahead of Potvin too. Although Potvin's '79 season alone would put him in some other person's list. And Bourque should be higher for me but I think he should have won a cup with the Bruins to solidify that.
Hebbzy19 2 years ago
You have to watch clips of just how much Potvin was the quarterback of that team to see how truly great he was. He brought the puck up, set up the plays, and made other guys on those teams much better than their God goven talent did, by virtue of his orchestrating the on-ice chemistry. This, in my view, puts him ahead of Coffey, Borque and Robinson. Harvey, in all honesty, I can't speak to because I was not around, but I won't argue with 5 cups. So Potvin should be 1, 2 or 3 in my book.
Envelope86 2 years ago
sorry hebbzy, Coffey was a great player but nowhere near number 4. no way, not even in the top 10. and i'd put Denis in the top 2 or 3 certainly. probably the most versatile defensemen ever(with a mean streak). and he captained 4 Stanley Cups
gcdcjccc 2 years ago
@Hebbzy19 hey wat about Brad Park???? and you know there is something to say about Brian Leetch being the only american to ever win playoff MVP.
Sniperizbak 1 year ago
Certainly the person who put him in the same category as Dave Schultz was way out of line.
Envelope86 2 years ago
Who do you root for in this one? The big piece of shit or the slightly smaller piece of shit?
meanwiddlekid 3 years ago
orr was a better offensive player but potvin was better all-round
kcatleticos 3 years ago
Hey Denis...stick to fighting women you smug jack ass.
ggtrains 3 years ago
Potvin Sucks!
B2B76 3 years ago