Forsberg and Lidstrom in a big-hitters list?
Swedish homer detected.
While Lidstrom prefered not to play the body, I don't think he wasn't tough. Look at the guys he played against for decades.If we're doing 'all-time' then Eddie Shore has gotta be on there. He was the most-feared player ever. He broke Ace Baily's skull and his nickname was "Old Blood and Guts". I'm certain that 80% of the league in those days was tougher than Nic freakin' Lidstrom.
Similar story with Ovie, but as an actual Defender. Lids was always too good to be playing super physical (though Ovie has a few devastating hits on his resume) but Lids was a tough customer, he just didn't need to show it that often because he was usually the smartest player on the ice.While Lidstrom prefered not to play the body, I don't think he wasn't tough. Look at the guys he played against for decades.
Surprised TJ Oshie hasn’t gotten any love. Maybe he’s cooled down some in Washington, but he used to routinely blow people up in his early days in STL. Rick Nash was a favorite target of his.
Bourque wasn’t the biggest hitter but he was actually quite physical and had really good timing. He was always a big solid guy and would use that to his advantage.Lidström obviously doesn't belong(and neither does Bourque so doubt it's Swedish homerism at play, much anyway). Forsberg was great at using his body and threw a ton of good hits, especially to keep defenders away- certainly belongs. If the thread was about best open ice hitters he certainly doesn't belong but it's a pretty vague thread to begin with.
Derian Hatcher is another guy who gets overlooked.
Kyle McLaren was a nasty hip checker. Some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Jeff Beukeboom was always a personal favorite. Hard nose hitting Defenseman.
Bourque wasn’t the biggest hitter but he was actually quite physical and had really good timing. He was always a big solid guy and would use that to his advantage.
For sure He definitely wasn’t known for his hitting in the sense of it being on another level compared to his peers, but I just feel he gets underrated for his physical presence. He could really hit and like you said, he hit with the intent to make you feel it the next day. Hell of a fighter too, just an overall tough and mean dude.Hatcher was one of the meanest to ever do it but I'm not sure he was as big of a hitter as a good chunk of these guys mentioned above. He could really hit and he mightve actually been the meanest dman in the game at one point but i dont think his hitting was quite as high as these guys. McLaren was really good too. His time was pretty short lived though or he mighta worked his way on this list
Derian Hatcher is another guy who gets overlooked.
Kyle McLaren was a nasty hip checker. Some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Jeff Beukeboom was always a personal favorite. Hard nose hitting Defenseman.
Bourque wasn’t the biggest hitter but he was actually quite physical and had really good timing. He was always a big solid guy and would use that to his advantage.
For sure. I just feel many don’t realize just how physical he actually was. Not a big time hitter, but nevertheless, physical.Agreed on Bourque but wouldn't have him anywhere near top of the list in any kind of "hitting poll". Clearly good but not one of the greatest, in my opinion.