Top Defensemen in the History of the NHL

• Doug Harvey changed everything
• Raymond Bourque holds all the records
• Bobby Orr is the best

Are you a hockey fan who’s as passionate about sports legends are you are current players? Then read on to see which top defensemen we consider to be the best of the best in the history of the sport.

Ice hockey is known for its hard hits, fast action, and last-second saves. As a result, forwards and goalies tend to get the majority of the accolades in US gambling news, while the defensemen tend to get overlooked. So, to help give them the recognition they deserve, GamingZion has put together a list of the top defensemen in the NHL as part of its ongoing series on the history of the National Hockey League.

5. Paul Coffey

Ontario-born Paul Coffey embodied what it meant to be one of the top defensemen: He was intelligent on the ice, lightning fast, a smooth-skater, a highly skilled playmaker, and a great shot. With his skill set, it is no wonder that he was the Edmonton Oilers’ first pick in the 1980 entry draft. He’d go on to be a player and major asset for eight other teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Boston Bruins.

Coffey was known for his aggressive offensive play, a trait that made him stand out from other top defensemen at the time and popular with NHL betting picks. He was also known for his long list of accomplishments, which include 14 All-Star appearances, 3 Norris Trophies, and 4 Stanley Cups, in addition to 296 goals and 1,135 assists for 1,531 points in 1,409 regular season games.

4. Doug Harvey

Doug Harvey was a French Canadian trailblazer who helped turn the defenseman position into what it is today. Previously being a position that relied on brawn instead of puck skills, Harvey pioneered the role of the offensive defenseman. In addition, due to his flawless defense skills and his unparalleled ability and control of the puck, Harvey is considered one of the greatest playmakers in the history of the sport by fans and those who like to bet on sports in US, second only to Wayne Gretzky.

By the end of his illustrious, game-changing career, Harvey played over 21 seasons of professional hockey, with nearly half of those seasons being played with the Montreal Canadiens. His long list of accomplishments include 6 Stanley Cup championships, 1,113 regular season games, 88 goals, 452 career assists, a 10 time All-Star player, and a 7 time Norris Trophy winner.

3. Raymond Bourque

Raymond “Ray” Bourque is a Quebec-born defenseman who played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins and 2 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche before retirement. He left quite the legacy in his wake, as he is still the current holder of records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenseman, with 410 goals and 1,169 assists for 1,579 points in 1,612 games.

Bourque possessed incredible balance, agility, and movement and a methodical hockey intelligence that made him a tough opponent who was as comfortable in the defensive as he was leading an offensive attack. While he didn’t see as many Stanley Cups in his career as he should’ve—he only won once, with Colorado and not his beloved Boston—he received plenty of other awards and distinctions that were a testament to his greatness and position as one of the top defensemen, including: 5 Norris trophies; 13 All-Star spots and 1 MVP All-Star award; and a spot on Canada’s team in the 1998 Winter Olympics.

2. Nicklas Lidstrom

Swedish defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom played over 20 NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, and was captain for the last 6 seasons. Since he first joined the Red Wings as a rookie, he helped drive his team to the top of NHL hockey betting lines and online gambling sites in US with his consistency, professionalism, durability, and grace. He was the ultimate low-maintenance, high-performance superstar who came into and out of the league with class, ending his career with 264 goals and 878 assists for 1,142 points in 1,564 games.

Lidstrom’s position as one of the very top defensemen is inarguable. Over the course of his time on the ice, he won 4 Stanley Cups, 7 Norris Trophies, 1 Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, made the playoffs in every season he played, was voted into 12 NHL All-Star Games, and helped win a gold medal for Sweden in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. In addition, he broke new ground in North America as the first European-born NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup, as well as was the first European MVP in the National Hockey League.

1. Bobby Orr

Even after all this time, number 4 Bobby Orr is still number one in rankings of the top defensemen. Dubbed “the perfect hockey player” by Boston coach Harry Sinden, it is a hard label to dispute. Orr possessed extraordinary talent and toughness that no one else has managed to match since. He had it all: speed, dominance, physical force, slick passes… And he did it all from the blue line.

Orr ended his career on a high note, with 270 goals and 645 assists for 915 points in 657 games. He still holds the record for most points and assists in a season by a defenseman, and won 8 consecutive Norris Trophies as well as 3 consecutive Hart Trophies as the league’s MVP. In his time on ice he broke scoring records by huge margins, played with creativity and abandon, and, ultimately, forever altered the role of defensemen in the game of ice hockey.