| | The Matchup: Chris Pronger vs. Nicklas Lidstrom
The Question: Who's the better defenseman and why?
Chris Pronger
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Nicklas Lidstrom
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It's size vs. skill and both are effective
Chris Pronger and Nicklas Lidstrom certainly belong in the group of top NHL blueliners, but it could almost vary from week to week which player would be No. 1.
The basic distinction between Pronger and Lidstrom is their presence. Pronger is a mean, nasty player who plays with an edge to his game. Lidstrom plays a solid, steady, more controlled and low-key style.
To say one is better than the other, it's a matter of style preference. Some people want their defensemen to be mean and nasty like Pronger, who could be described as a talented bully. He is a real jerk to play against, but he's talented.
Lidstrom doesn't play with the same edge. He reads plays well and is so far ahead of the game mentally that he defuses situations before they get critical.
One on one, players will tell you that they can't get around Lidstrom. He is so efficient and proficient at all the basics of the game. He frustrates the opposition. Even the great players have trouble getting scoring chances or good shots working on Lidstrom's side.
Pronger, meanwhile, has a big-time presence. When players enter his force field, they know he is coming from somewhere and that it's going to hurt. At 6-foot-6, he has tremendous reach and uses a long stick. He has a great ability to poke check because he can practically reach across the room to knock the puck off someone's stick.
He uses the stick for other things, too, like cross-checking and whacking. With his punishing style, Pronger is a serious guy to contend with.
In terms of passing, shooting and creative touch, I'd give Lidstrom an edge. His touch is more defintive, something he has proven more consistently. He can make great things happen that turn into points.
Pronger is still developing as an offensive player, and a lot of it has to do with confidence. Players like Al MacInnis and Paul Coffey have played with the belief that their shots will go in or deflect to a teammate who will score. Pronger has a good, hard shot and can pass and move the puck well out of his own zone, which is what you look for from a defenseman. But confidence turns into production, and he is starting to believe he can produce.
There's nothing wrong with Lidstrom's size (6-2, 219 pounds) and strength. He's not 6-6 like Pronger, but he has good size and doesn't get pushed around. But he doesn't push people around the way Pronger does.
Pronger is 25 and just coming into his prime in terms of experience. Usually, the theory is that defensemen played at their prime between 26 and 29 years old due to mental and physical maturity. But players are playing longer now and are in such great shape, so that time frame could be adjusted to ages 26-32. Pronger is looking ahead to five or six years of playing at a terrific level. Lidstrom, who turns 30 in January, is on the back edge of his prime.
If you are a GM, do you want a steady, dynamic presence like Lidstrom, or do you want someone like Pronger with a mean, nasty edge?
It's a push, trying to decide which player is better. You could either ask, "Which player would you like to build your team around?" or "Which player is better right now?" It's a really tough call.
Brian Engblom is a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's NHL coverage. He played 11 seasons in the NHL. | |
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