A huge misconception that casual fans make: if a defenseman scores a lot of points, he must be bad defensively.

Orr is the best all-around defenseman and its not even close. Bourque and Lidstrom are certainly better than Pronger also. After that you could make various arguments about who's next, in which you could include Pronger, but there are many others in the discussion.
- geoff_182

Lidstrom is the best all around. Definitely not Orr. He played in an era where lot of players didn’t even know how to skate properly. The goalies in those days had barely any equipment to aid in stopping the puck. The players Orr played against were nowhere as good as what Lidstrom went up against. He may be best of his days but best all time is Lidstrom. Hands down.

Lidstrom is the best all around. Definitely not Orr. He played in an era where lot of players didn’t even know how to skate properly. The goalies in those days had barely any equipment to aid in stopping the puck. The players Orr played against were nowhere as good as what Lidstrom went up against. He may be best of his days but best all time is Lidstrom. Hands down.
- Jammerz04

These generational arguments are kind of ridiculous.

If Orr had access to the training, competition, and equipment afforded to the era Lidstrom was in, Orr may have been much better. Lids in Orr's era may have been average at best..

Here is what we do know...Both dominated their respective era.

Pronger was a beast, not sure I would go best of all time but definitely my favourite of all time.

He could control a game offensively, defensively, leadership, and with intimidation.

I would take a ‘prime’ Pronger over any ‘prime’ dman playing today.

Somebody should tell Crosby to give back the 2007 Hart, apparently Pronger won it
- Takemedrunkimhome

Ek's revisionist history is the best

Exactly why i never participate in these "best player", top ten lists, best team, etc. debates. Its so subjective and toatally unproveable. I've watched each of the players mentioned here as better than Pronger and can only say they were all great and contributed to their teams high points. Which was the best? I don't care...just happy to have watched them play
- DANCER

There's a lot more objective data that supports these arguments and it is fun. Pronged is a great player. No way is he the best off all time at his position. Lindstrom alone is better in the same generation. Bobby Orr is at worst the 5th best of all time.

Just blatantly going for stupid click-bait these days, eh?

Not even a mention of Jeff Finger? Man this board is slipping

Not even a mention of Jeff Finger? Man this board is slipping
- GPerogie

Jeff Finger or Kurt Sauer, that is the question?

It takes sooooo little for him to rile you guys up anymore

dog days of summer and you have nothing to post so you post this to drum up attention.nice

You are incorrect

Just blatantly going for stupid click-bait these days, eh?
- tkecanuck341

Eklund has been on blatant stupidity for years.

Just off the top of my head in no order:

Orr
Robinson
Bourque
Coffey
Lidstrom
MaciNNis
Chelios
Potvin
Chara
Niedermayer
Leetch
- flipneil

It takes sooooo little for him to rile you guys up anymore
- Hesh_

nailed it

He won ONE Norris trophy. So in his 18 year career, he was only the best defenseman one time. But you think he’s the best ever lol

I want some of what you’re smoking

Hall of fame crosschecker, sucker puncher, and all around A HOLE

There's a lot more objective data that supports these arguments and it is fun. Pronged is a great player. No way is he the best off all time at his position. Lindstrom alone is better in the same generation. Bobby Orr is at worst the 5th best of all time.
- jfkst1

I understand the fun point, i don't understand the nasty part. Enjoy comparing these great defensemen. They all controlled the games they played in. Lidstrom was unbelievable at moving the puck up the ice. Pronger did whatever he wanted on the ice. Orr was a magician. Trying to use stats as a benchmark is difficult. Different eras with different rules, players get bigger and faster.

EK, stirring the pot just to get clicks! Ok, I’ll play along. While I loved Prongs and always felt Mark Howe was overlooked, I can’t help but think of one Raymond Bourque! Never got to see Orr play but he literally changed the game with his puck carrying skill.

These generational arguments are kind of ridiculous.

If Orr had access to the training, competition, and equipment afforded to the era Lidstrom was in, Orr may have been much better. Lids in Orr's era may have been average at best..

Here is what we do know...Both dominated their respective era.
- IRON.MAIDEN

And if Orr had access to today’s arthroscopic surgery...

Did you ever watch the guy who didn’t win the Noris, year after year, because of Orr? Brad Park was better. Guys like Orr, Leetch, Park, Borque—-we’re able to control play, retrieve pucks, hip check, go end to end. Yes, Pronger was a very good defenseman—-very mean. Control the game ? Not like those guys

FFS, Orr won the Art Ross Trophy twice.

/debate

Eklund: Why Chris Pronger is Unquestionably the Best All-Around D Ever.
- Eklund

Mr. Eklund, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. And that's an E5

Fact: Bourque and Chelios were both better in his era. Bobby Orr hands down, best ever!!

Orr not

First Ek needs to learn the difference between a fact and an opinion.