By Hockey is a very complicated sport and can be very tricky as it is a faced paced game. Players that usually gain all the recognition are either insanely good or they’re just born naturally talented. Nevertheless, defensive players are oftentimes overlooked but what many don’t know is that defensive players play a vital role as these players are responsible to defend any opponents in scoring a goal. Having a good and strong defense greatly helps in winning the game. And of course, it’s not an easy task. So today, we will take a look at the 7 best defensemen in the NHL of all time.
1. Nicklas Lidstrom
Full name: Erik Nicklas Lidström
Born: 28th April 1970 (age 52)
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: Detroit Red Wings
Playing career: 1987 to 2012
Nicklas Lidström is a Swedish retired pro ice hockey defenceman who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings. He served as the Wings captain for the last six seasons of his career. The Swedish retired defenceman is highly considered one of the greatest defensemen in the history of the NHL and fans often referred to him as “The Perfect Human.”
2. Bobby Orr
Full name: Robert Gordon Orr
Born: March 20th, 1948 (age 74)
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks
Playing career: 1966 to 1978
Bobby Orr is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. He still is the only defenceman to have prevailed in the NHL scoring crown with two Art Ross Trophies. Orr possesses the record for the highest points and assists in one season alone by a defenceman. He is an eight-time winner of Norris Trophies as the league’s finest defenceman and won three-time Hart Trophies consecutively as the NHL MVP. In 1979, Orr was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame when he was 31. Orr was also included as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players” in history by the NHL in 2017.
3. Ray Bourque
Full name: Raymond Jean Bourque
Born: December 28th, 1960 (age 62)
Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche
Playing career: 1979–2001
Raymond Bourque is a Canadian retired pro ice hockey player. As a defenceman, he grabs records for the highest career goals, assists, and points in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is a five-time recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s finest defenceman. Being one of the greatest defensemen of all time, Bourque was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
4. Doug Harvey
Full name: Douglas Norman Harvey
Born: December 19th, 1924
Died: December 26th, 1989 (aged 65)
Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, and Detroit Red Wings
Playing career: 1945 to 1969
Doug Harvey was a Canadian pro hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for four different teams. Widely known for his defensive skills, he was one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Harvey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.
5. Paul Coffey
Full name: Paul Douglas Coffey
Born: June 1st, 1961
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Boston Bruins
Playing career: 1980 to 2001
Paul Coffey is a Canadian retired pro ice hockey defenceman who played for nine squads in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 21 seasons. Known for his quickness and ability to score, Paul is placed second all-time among the league’s defencemen in goals, assists, and points, and is behind only Ray Bourque. He is a three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s finest defenceman. In 2004, Coffey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of fame.
6. Denis Potvin
Full name: Denis Charles Potvin
Born: October 29th, 1953 (age 69)
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Position: Defence
Played for: New York Islanders
Playing career: 1973 to 1988
Denis Charles played in the NHL as a defenceman for the New York Islanders and also served as the team’s captain. Potvin won the Stanley Cup four times as part of the initial 1980s New York Islanders. He is a recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times as the league’s elite defenceman. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
7. Larry Robinson
Full name: Larry Clark Robinson
Born: June 2nd, 1951 (age 71)
Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Position: Defenceman
Played for: Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings
Playing career: 1973 to 1992
Played in the NHL for Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings, Larry Robinson is considered one of the best defencemen of all time. In 1995, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
