Was prime Duncan Keith better than prime Scott Niedermayer?

[SeanMoneyHands]

He is at least equal IMO. Pure skating ability they were both elite. Keith in his prime was a machine for so many years on that Hawks Blueline.

 

[centipede2233]

It’s a pickem. With that said, Niedamyer scored almost 70 more goals reg season with the same gp. And Nieds spent most of his career with the trap devils. For that reason I’ll go with Nieds because he was more of a threat to score goals. Also had 100 more points to career. Keith was more ppg in playoffs, but again Nieds played with the trap devils.

 

[Regal]

Agree with the above that it’s basically a pick ‘em at their best. I think Niedermayer was a bit more creative offensively, Keith a bit better defensively. Though Nieds being the better goalscorer might be an advantage. Keith’s weak shot made him a less than ideal PP QB. Though Nieds wasn’t exactly Makar either

 

[Johnny Tomala]

No. Niedermayer was better, especially his skating. Plus he was a better leader.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Love me some Keith

 

[PistolPete]

Kind of poll you just need to ask someone their birth year to know their answer

 

[Golden_Jet]

As a hawks fan, I’d take Neidermayer.

 

[Fatass]

Keith was really good. He had some mean in him too. But Scott Neidermyer was on another level and (imo) ranked in a higher tier of great D.

 

[mr figgles]

Definitely Niedermayer, but Keith was great too

 

[Oneiro]

Both of them are probably defensively overrated but Niedermayer was more skilled and dynamic offensively, even on the Devils who suppressed a lot of his creativity. He just had a knack for big moments.

Cool thing about both of them is that they could skate themselves out of trouble much of the time but easily play that energy-conserving first-pass style for 30 minutes as well.

 

[tabness]

Nieds ainec

 

[norrisnick]

Niedermayer had like 2 seasons where he was his own team's #1 defenseman. Yes, Keith was better. He had to do his own heavy lifting never having a Stevens or Pronger on his team...

 

[JaegerDice]

It’s the Spiderman meme.

I’ll homer vote for Keith, but but aside from one being slightly better offensively and the other being slightly better defensively, they’re pretty much the same player.

 

[Garbageyuk]

It’s close, but I’d give the edge to Keith due to the fact that he brought pretty much everything Niedermayer did, but provided a bit of a nasty physical element on top at times, and had superior playoff production.

 

[Garbageyuk]

No. Niedermayer was better, especially his skating. Plus he was a better leader.

 

[LightningStorm]

Keith. He played at a higher level longer and I thought his 2015 playoffs were the best of either player.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Niedermayer was great for only threeish seasons

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

I think Niedermeyer is a bit overrated but I have him as better than Keith. Just on pure defense I would probably go Keith but overall impact on the ice I would say Nieds.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Prime Keith carried a 4-person blueline to a Cup

I think it's a pick em otherwise but that 2015 performance puts Keith over the top for me

 

[PistolPete]

Niedermayer was great for only threeish seasons

If there was a Devils or Ducks logo in your Pic I'd bet you would say the same about Keith instead, nicht wahr?

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Prime Niedermayer was better at everything other than slashing people. Keith had that by a country mile.

 

[PistolPete]

Let me pose thos question another way to people:

Niedermayer was taken 3rd overall in '91, would anyone take Keith with one of thr top 3 picks in '02?

 

[Golden_Jet]

Let me pose thos question another way to people:

Niedermayer was taken 3rd overall in '91, would anyone take Keith with one of thr top 3 picks in '02?

In hindsight yes, he has second most points in his draft year as a dman, but I’d still prefer Scott.

 

[PistolPete]

In hindsight yes, he has second most points in his draft year as a dman, but I’d still prefer Scott.

Holy ahit that was a horrible draft year; on oar with 1985 and 1999

 

[Bank Shot]

How in the world did Niedermayer win that Conn Smythe?

Voters were punishing Pronger for his suspensions?

Nieds wasn't even the team's best defenceman on that run, let alone best player.