He would be one of the top 4 defensemen in the NHL still. He was probably the 2nd most important Red Wing in the 96-97 playoffs (after Vernon), and was getting better every year. At least 2 Norris Trophies had he not been injuried. What a waste.
I'm a big Konstantinov fan, but I don't think he would have reached Stevens' level of dominance. He was never a big point producer like Stevens was able to reach, and that would have held him back.
I think he'd probably have a similar career trajectory as Adam Foote but probably would have ended up being better than him, but below a guy like Stevens or Pronger.
Personally thinks he's one of the more overrated players discussed here.
Very good defenseman ??? Yes.
Norris contendder ??? No
When the accident happened, Konstantinov was 30, and I think he had become as good as he was going to get, while you knew that Lidstrom was going to just keep getting better.He was the runner-up in '97 and Bowman was convinced he should have been a Hart finalist in '96.
Vlad and Lidstrom were 1A and 1B for the Wings and as we all know Lidstrom is damn good.
Konstantinov = Post-Lemaire Stevens.
When the accident happened, Konstantinov was 30, and I think he had become as good as he was going to get, while you knew that Lidstrom was going to just keep getting better.
Konstantinov was far from a one-year wonder. He was Norris-nomination worth in 1996 and 1997, and even as early as 1993-94, his style had placed him near the top of the heap for players "you hate to play against, but would love to have on your team."
I think pit nailed it earlier when he said that Konstantinov would have likely been an Adam Foote type of player - a guy who rates among the very best at his style of play on an annual basis, and elevates his play in the big games. Konstantinov would not have been a "post-Lemaire Stevens." A post-Lemaire Stevens is the ultimate shut-down defence, a player whose leadership, defensive ability and physical play elevates him to a level rarely seen in the post expansion era.
I think some people do overrate Konstantinov, in the way that some people overrate Pelle Lindburgh. Konstantinov is a guy who was an awesome player at his peak, one of the best at his role in the game, but thanks to tragic circumstances, will go down as one of hockey's biggest what ifs. But I don't think he was going to get much better than he was, since he was 30, and with defencemen like Lidstrom, Blake, Pronger and Niedermayer improving/breaking through, and Bourque, Stevens, Chelios and MacInnis playing at a very high level into their late 30s (hell, Chelios is playing at a very high level at 45), Konstantinov's best hope for individual accolades was likely more second team all-star births.
Personally thinks he's one of the more overrated players discussed here.
Very good defenseman ??? Yes.
Norris contendder ??? No
Would have been a Foote type player? He was already well beyond that at the time of the accident. Far closer to Stevens than Foote.
Yeah but I do think that he was better in transition. IMO very few came close to Konstantinov at breaking up plays and turning the puck up ice. Plus if you watch Stevens before he met Robinson his game was kind of sloppy.He never scored at a level near what Stevens was capable of in his prime. That's what separates the two, IMO.
He never scored at a level near what Stevens was capable of in his prime. That's what separates the two, IMO.
I didn't want to bother typing up the whole "post-Lemaire Stevens" again. The Stevens that is revered around here.
Would have been a Foote type player? He was already well beyond that at the time of the accident. Far closer to Stevens than Foote.
Yes Konstaninov can sometimes sentimentally get rated higher than he really is because of his popularity or his unfortunate death. Guys like Neely and Andreychuk are in the same boat IMO. But Lindbergh keep in mind won the Vezina trophy 6 months before he died. He was about to hit his prime and I dont think you could deny the fact that he would have been a HHOFer if he didnt pass away.
Isn't he still alive? I thought he just got his brain scrambled but did not die. Am I wrong? Just wondering?
I hope over time Konstantinov can regain more of his brain and enjoy 30 or 40 more years with his family in at least a close to normal life and recover from his severe brain injury.
Am I worng or is he still alive and at least somewhat of a functional human being?
But Lindbergh keep in mind won the Vezina trophy 6 months before he died. He was about to hit his prime and I dont think you could deny the fact that he would have been a HHOFer if he didnt pass away.
That's a little premature isn't it?
Hextall, Carey, Vanbiesbrouck, Theodore all came out of the gate strong and won the Vezina as well...
I guess it's just me, but I feel that post-Lemaire Stevens is very much like Adam Foote, with an extra bit of intimidation due to the big hits. Stevens wouldn't be a top-20 defenseman of all time if his entire career was of the post-Lemaire sort. Obviously he'd be regarded higher than Foote (he did have a Smythe and all during that period), but still not at that same level he's viewed now.
Well he was 30 in 1997. Was he a Norris runner-up that year? I thought it was only '96 when he had his only 2nd team all-star. Oh well.
Either way the next year Blake had a great year along with Lidstrom and Pronger. Those three along with Niedermayer and MacInnis would dominate the all-star selections for the next few years. He wouldnt have had a Norris by any means. He could have been a 2nd team all-star a couple of more times though and would have been at least a two-time Cup winner. Adam Foote might have been the best comparison and Foote wont be a HHOFer.
Maybe alike playing style, but "post-Lemaire Stevens" was twice the hockey player Adam Foote EVER was.
Konstantinov, while a VERY VERY VERY small notch below "post-Lemaire Stevens" (and we're talking millimeters of a notch), was also a much better hockey player than Adam Foote ever was.
Konstantinov should be looked at as one of the better shutdown guys of his era. I think he'd be HHOF material if he had played a full career and went on to win a few more Cups. Given the chance to do that, you might even have seen him win a Conn Smythe trophy since the guy was damn good in the playoffs.