Pronger doesn't even belong on that "100 best of all time" list the nhl put together.

One of the best examples of the nhl's double-standard is when Chris Simon deliberately tried to amputate Jarko Ruutu's foot with this skate blade and got a 29 game suspension (which he deserved) but then Pronger basically did the same thing in the 2007 Western Conf. Finals and got one game for it. Had he gotten the suspension he deserved it is possible that Anaheim doesn't win the Cup in 2007 (the dirtiest team to win the Cup in modern nhl history).

Pronger also used his elbows every bit as much as Matt Cooke yet somehow it was ok when he did it. Pronger was a total dirtbag and the nhl is better off with him retired.

Pronger doesn't even belong on that "100 best of all time" list the nhl put together.

One of the best examples of the nhl's double-standard is when Chris Simon deliberately tried to amputate Jarko Ruutu's foot with this skate blade and got a 29 game suspension (which he deserved) but then Pronger basically did the same thing in the 2007 Western Conf. Finals and got one game for it. Had he gotten the suspension he deserved it is possible that Anaheim doesn't win the Cup in 2007 (the dirtiest team to win the Cup in modern nhl history).

Pronger also used his elbows every bit as much as Matt Cooke yet somehow it was ok when he did it. Pronger was a total dirtbag and the nhl is better off with him retired.
- PghPens668771

Hey -there's many, and I mean MANY that would say the title belongs to the Bruins.

Byfuglien is better.

via Gfycat

- Dieselhead

Pronger was scared poop after that hit.

Ek did it.
For a boring Aug day in hockey, he got over 150 comments

Mission accomplished

Its actually quite amazing only 2 defensemen have won the Hart since 1940

Ek is a clown with a good website

Eddie Shore was meaner and won 4 Hart Trophies. So yeah.

And while Orr wasn't a particularly mean or punishing player, he wasn't soft by any stretch and had no problem getting dirty when he needed to.

I'd argue that Chris Pronger and Scott Stevens were probably the best defensive captains ever, but best all-around ever? No, but top-5.

Pronger doesn't even belong on that "100 best of all time" list the nhl put together.

One of the best examples of the nhl's double-standard is when Chris Simon deliberately tried to amputate Jarko Ruutu's foot with this skate blade and got a 29 game suspension (which he deserved) but then Pronger basically did the same thing in the 2007 Western Conf. Finals and got one game for it. Had he gotten the suspension he deserved it is possible that Anaheim doesn't win the Cup in 2007 (the dirtiest team to win the Cup in modern nhl history).

Pronger also used his elbows every bit as much as Matt Cooke yet somehow it was ok when he did it. Pronger was a total dirtbag and the nhl is better off with him retired.
- PghPens668771

Actually, he got 8 games for stepping on Kesler's leg, and it wasn't in the WCF. The 2007 WCF suspensions was for the hit/elbow to Holmstrom. Still less than Simon got for sure but hey, let's not let facts ruin a good narrartive.

Morgan Rielly is 10x better than Pronger ever was and he barely makes it in the top 5 of all time.

Unquestionably.

Ray Bourque was a 13 times NHL first team All-Star and add another 6 second team all-star team. No other player in NHL history has more first team all-star. It means he was in top 2 at his position 13 times.

Even Gretzky, Orr, Howe, Lemieux, Beliveau, Richard, Lidstrom, Brodeur, Roy, Ovechkin, Crosby.

We all know Ray was way ahead of Pronger. He could do it all too.

I loved Pronger and agree to a point. However, I have always believed, and still believe, that Ray Bourque was the best all around defenseman in history. His points scored were obviously other-worldly but I don’t think he every got enough credit for his physicality, consistency, and durability for such an extended time. He basically played at the same level for all but maybe his last 1-2 seasons.
- BOSS_TWEED

Very well said ! Sure Lidstrom has more cups and more Norris but could he filled Ray's skates ? I would have love to see Ray's stats with a pack Detroit team.

The fact that Bourque was a 13 times First Team and 6 times 2nd Team All-Star says it all. No other player in NHL history has more.

Opinion...not fact... also opinion by near any Blues fan you talk to here in the STL once both players careers were over consensus is Blues lost the trade losing Shanahan for Pronger..... and I agree, I'd take Shanahan and the impact he brought to the ice over Pronger... and talking about Pronger as a physical presence is laughable unless you mention elbows and hacks and slashes, he was no Stevens or Konstantinov or even Hatcher in the physical department....and he took senseless penalties routinely... the best, please

Rod Gilbert died.... seems like real news

Pronger was scared poop after that hit.
- Diamondhands

good hit.....way overrated

Pronger sucks A$$….. Fawk him

lol disrespect.

Pronger sucks A$$….. Fawk him
- BGKarras

Better than Keith

Very well said ! Sure Lidstrom has more cups and more Norris but could he filled Ray's skates ? I would have love to see Ray's stats with a pack Detroit team.

The fact that Bourque was a 13 times First Team and 6 times 2nd Team All-Star says it all. No other player in NHL history has more.
- denisbeauregard

While Bourque is great its senseless to ask if Lidstrom could fill Ray's skates... Nick Lidstrom was the driver of those great Wing teams... his vision was second to none in his era and with as many great players as there were who played in Detroit while he was there he was the best of them....

1. Lidstrom 1B. Orr
Pronger isn't even close

I f we abide by the strange category you have juste created, Larry Robinson and Chris Chelios should be well into consideration: quite as effective and mean defensively, but arguably better offensively. I admit Pronger did take over games, a quality I admire, but his career does not match the ones of these two legends.
And were we not to accept this definition of a complete defensemen and just ask who helps to win however he can, the effectiveness of Harvey, Orr, Potvin, Coffey, Bourque and most of all Lidstrom, should put an end to your attempt at defining defensive prowess as an average of all virtues, while the excess of some can render the one lacking superfluous.

I agree completely. I was just thinking about this the other day. Pronger was a generational player, just like Ovi and Crosby. The only defenseman that could come close to what Pronger brought to the ice would be Chara. It will be interesting to see who can take up that mantle in the next decade.

Pronger was scared poop after that hit.
- Diamondhands

Real strong on his skates