Top 5 defensemen in real life? Rep for help

[fungchen3]

Really tough one. Off the top of my head - Doughty, Weber, Chara, Suter, Keith, ( Subban, Hedman ). Although I'd listen to an argument on a number of guys being included (Alex P...etc)

Yeah the Charas and Keiths are the hard ones in this discussion for me. If we are talking about 5 best TODAY then they certainly deserve to be there. But if building a team from scratch today, I would be hard-pressed to take a 30-35+ defenseman to anchor my D when there are elite options in their early-to-mid-20s there for the picking.

[Rylant]

Thanks for the great input here, fellas. I am going through and repping where I can, but it will take me a few days to make sure I get everyone. Love the insight.

Rylant

[HockeyProphet]

I know Karlsson always gets dumped on for not being defensively minded, but Lidstrom never played the 'chara' or 'weber' type of hockey and was one of the best defencemen the league has ever seen.

[MXHockey]

Subban
Karlsson
Weber
Doughty
Chara

Weber would be my first choice.

[Vancityguy]

So tough.

I'm going with:

1. Chara
2. Subban
3. Keith
4. Karlsson
5. Suter

I really think that playoff performance matters here and guys like Chara/Keith excel here, with Subban looking like he's the next one.

[rataylor22]

I know Karlsson always gets dumped on for not being defensively minded, but Lidstrom never played the 'chara' or 'weber' type of hockey and was one of the best defencemen the league has ever seen.

Comparing Lidstrom and Karlsson because neither play physical is just laughable. You clearly don't understand what playing defense is. Sit down and shhh now please.

[Big Ev]

Comparing Lidstrom and Karlsson because neither play physical is just laughable. You clearly don't understand what playing defense is. Sit down and shhh now please.

if there's anybody close to Lidstrom, it's Karlsson. Both generational d-men.

[2014olympicgold]

Comparing Lidstrom and Karlsson because neither play physical is just laughable. You clearly don't understand what playing defense is. Sit down and shhh now please.

Just because you compare someone to another player doesn’t mean you’re saying one is better than the other. If you had to compare Karlsson’s defensive style to another D-man it would be like Lindstrom. Others have used the non-physical method, but Lindstrom was the expert, which is why he’s the main person to use in the comparison. If you can't see that comparison, you clearly don't understand what playing defense is. Sit down and shhh now please.

[27Blue]

i think the paul coffey comparison is more fitting.
lidstrom.... no.

[rataylor22]

i think the paul coffey comparison is more fitting.
lidstrom.... no.

This. Lidstrom was generational due to his stick work, positional play. He thought 5 steps ahead of the game. Karlsson's defensive IQ is about half of what Lidstrom's is. Paul Coffey is a good comparison. Nick Lidstrom is not a good comparison.

[fungchen3]

Karlsson's defensive play is comparable to Coffey and Leetch, not Lidstrom at all. Coffey and Leetch have 5 Norris trophies between them so, no, they didn't suck defensively. They just weren't as good defensively as Bourque, Potvin, Langway and Lidstrom. Like Coffey and Leetch, Karlsson's best defensive plays are a result of his speed and anticipation. Lidstrom wasn't nearly as fast but his hockey IQ was off the charts as was his positioning and stickwork. It also helps that he had long arms and a nice reach.

[pmkidd]

Weber
Subban
Karlsson
Suter
Doughty
On the cusp list Keith, Piets, Hedman, OEL, Chara(age)

[Big Ev]

Karlsson has arguably the best stick on D in the entire league. Does anyone actually watch him in his own zone? He steals the puck like Datsyuk.

[fungchen3]

Karlsson has arguably the best stick on D in the entire league. Does anyone actually watch him in his own zone? He steals the puck like Datsyuk.

Yeah his stick is awesome. He wins battles against much bigger players because of his quick stick and speed.

[suvojitde]

Very tough to pick the top 5. For me, if building a franchise for the future and with all the hindsight of having watched these players for years, ultimately I am looking at who can win me / my team Stanley Cups and my top 3 would therefore be -

Weber - he is a true franchise D. Can do it all.
Doughty - cannot ignore his defensive prowess (as seen in the playoffs) and his offensive prowess (as exhibited in the Olympics) - a very special player
Keith - twice cup winner, been there done that.

The next lot would be tough to separate and any one of these can get into that level in the coming years - Suter, Subban, Karlsson, Chara, AP, OEL, Hedman. For me, a D's first and foremost job is to play D (stop the opposition from scoring goals). His second job is to join the offense and contribute offensively as well as quarterback the Power Play. 3rd job is to be fit enough to play long minutes, physical (not only dish out punishment, but more importantly be able to take punishment from the opposition). 4th is the intangibles - leadership, mentoring, be able to psych up your own team when needed.

Fitting that criteria, if someone were to put a gun to my head and force me to pick 2 from that next lot, it would have to be Suter and Subban. That's my personal opinion anyways.