Best Defensive Forward of All Time?

[nowhereman]

After some debate in the Clarke vs. Trottier thread, I thought this might be a good poll. Obviously, I can't include everyone but I think this is a pretty good selection of the best defensive players in NHL history. That said, feel free to include a write-in vote, if I missed someone obvious.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

burger gone

 

[amnesiac]

Bergeron
Datsyuk
Gainey
Carbo
Feds/Lehtinen

 

[A91]

No mention of Nikita Filatov?

 

[LordNeverLose]

Didn't they invent the Selke to award how good Gainey was defensively?

 

[NyQuil]

Gainey made a name for himself playing defence during the most offensive era in hockey.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Michael Peca was top 5 in Selke voting for 7 years in a row, including 2 wins. Not saying he's the right answer, but he deserves a mention.

 

[loadie]

Bob Gainey

 

[JackSlater]

I don't have it handy but Clarke's defensive play at his peak was absurd. He was on the ice for roughly 20 GA in his peak years, during a high scoring era, with heavy minutes and without any defensive stalwarts on his line or behind him on defence.

 

[Martinez]

Dickie Moore! Lol I don’t feel qualified to vote, too young

 

[dwright5314]

Bergie. This video is pure art if you appreciate defensive plays leading to offense.

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

It might be recency bias but I went with Bergeron. He's one of my favourite non-Flames, such a good player at both ends of the ice.

 

[streitz]

Gainey and Carbonneau. Bergeron doesn't come close to these two but alot of younger kids on these forums to vote for him.

 

[Sheppy]

When his career ends, and with another selke or two under his belt it will be Bergeron, and it won't really be close. Hell, i think it's Bergeron right now to be honest.

 

[Sheppy]

Didn't they invent the Selke to award how good Gainey was defensively?

They'll rename it the Bergy.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Bergeron

 

[HyPnOtiK]

Clarke, hands down

 

[Sasso09]

I don't have it handy but Clarke's defensive play at his peak was absurd. He was on the ice for roughly 20 GA in his peak years, during a high scoring era, with heavy minutes and without any defensive stalwarts on his line or behind him on defence.

This.

Anyone old enough to have witnessed Clarke and Gainey game to game would tell you clarke.

Bergeron and datsyuk are the next waive

 

[Sasso09]

Recency bias and young posters going with Bergeron no doubt

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Bob Gainey. 4 straight Selke’s and the guy they had in mind when they invented the award gets my vote.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

I've seen arguments that Carbs was even better than Gainey. How much really separates Carbs from Bergeron?

Like other said, Clarke's goals against numbers some years were insane. He might be the answer.

 

[Cassano]

Bergeron should have about 9 straight Selkes if the award was determined on pure defensive play.

 

[Mbraunm]

Will have to go with Clarke on this one. Probably equal defensively to Bergeron but with higher offensive skills.

 

[streitz]

Bergeron should have about 9 straight Selkes if the award was determined on pure defensive play.

Then Carbonneau would have around 15 straight.

 

[authentic]

Bergeron. Surprised Clarke isn't winning though, he'd probably be 2nd.