Who was more important to european hockey: Lidström or Salming?

[Nosferatu]

Mr B. Seasons,games,goals,assists,ppg

17

1 148

150

637

787

0.69

Mr L.

20

1 564

264

878

1 142

0.73

So who was better player?

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[leafsfan5]

More important to European hockey was Salming, he paved the way for future Swedish players and stood up to the stereotypes against them

An absolute legend in every sense of the word

 

[jigglysquishy]

Salming was much more important to European hockey. Lidstrom was a much better player.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Op is asking two different questions. Salming was more important but Lidstrom was better.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Likely Lidstrom to today's player but Borje was probably more important to Lidstrom and players in his Era .

However guys like Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson were also big to Swedish players. Salming was good but he wasn't really the first real Swedish star in the league

 

[majormajor]

Which question do you want us to answer?

 

[BlueBaron]

Guessing the OP is a Red Wings fan because this isn't even close.

 

[Hockeyholic]

What is the point in asking who was better. Like seriously? It's obviously Lidstrom by a large margin.

More important to Swedish hockey is the real question. Probably Salming.

 

[Ivo]

I voted Salming based on thread title. But, if you really want to know who was better, then I say Lidstrom.

 

[norrisnick]

Guessing the OP is a Red Wings fan because this isn't even close.

Well, neither question is close. Red Wing fan or not.

Most important to European hockey? Salming
Better player? Lidstrom

 

[BlueBaron]

Well, neither question is close. Red Wing fan or not.

Most important to European hockey? Salming
Better player? Lidstrom

No one will argue Lidstrom was better but that wasn't the question. No need to feel insecure for Lidstrom. He'd say the same.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Really? Salming and it isn't close.

Most people would have Lidstrom as the better player, but Salming was more important for sure.

 

[Satoru Gojo]

Salming essentially paved the way for swedes in the NHL

 

[norrisnick]

No one will argue Lidstrom was better but that wasn't the question. No need to feel insecure for Lidstrom. He'd say the same.

It was one of the question. And I agree that Lidstrom would say the same. Same as me. I've just never seen OP on the Wings boards.

 

[mattihp]

Börje Salming. Before him they knew Europeans could be skilled already. After him they knew Europans could be tough.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Mr B. Seasons,games,goals,assists,ppg

17

1 148

150

637

787

0.69

Mr L.

20

1 564

264

878

1 142

0.73

So who was better player?

Asking two different questions. Lidstrom was definitely the better player but Salming paved the way for future Europeans to come to the NHL.

 

[johan f]

Poor Thommie Bergman has been all forgotten these days. I even read articles saying Salming was first swede in NHL. Bergman was not only first regular player but also a good d-man and just as tough as Salming. We kids when playing street
hockey pretended to be him just as much Salming. Bergman paved the way more than he gets credit for.

 

[wetcoast]

Op is asking two different questions. Salming was more important but Lidstrom was better.

Pretty much this.

Poor Thommie Bergman has been all forgotten these days. I even read articles saying Salming was first swede in NHL. Bergman was not only first regular player but also a good d-man and just as tough as Salming. We kids when playing street
hockey pretended to be him just as much Salming. Bergman paved the way more than he gets credit for.

Good post and yes Bergman does seem to be a bit of a forgotten man but that being said Slaming was a class act and can get a bit under rated at times just a great player to watch.

 

[rumrokh]

Mr B. Seasons,games,goals,assists,ppg

17

1 148

150

637

787

0.69

Mr L.

20

1 564

264

878

1 142

0.73

So who was better player?

If you aren't aware you're asking two questions, can you attempt to explain why you think you're asking one question?

 

[Voight]

To put Salmings significance into perspective, Salming joined the team for the 73-74 season - the Leafs roster the previous season had a single American player, the rest were Canadian. Teams at that point were still mostly all Canadian with a few American players mixed in here and there.

Poor Thommie Bergman has been all forgotten these days. I even read articles saying Salming was first swede in NHL. Bergman was not only first regular player but also a good d-man and just as tough as Salming. We kids when playing street
hockey pretended to be him just as much Salming. Bergman paved the way more than he gets credit for.

Bergman made his debut one season before Salming so while yes he was the first, Salming was right behind him.

IMO Salming gets most of the attention because he was a better player, starred for a very popular team that was a contender & was seen on TV by the rest of the country at least once a week via HNIC.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

No one will argue Lidstrom was better but that wasn't the question. No need to feel insecure for Lidstrom. He'd say the same.

The only one insecure was you with your original post.

 

[Muffin]

No one will argue Lidstrom was better but that wasn't the question. No need to feel insecure for Lidstrom. He'd say the same.

How you know someone didn't read the fist post.

 

[BlueBaron]

How you know someone didn't read the fist post.

How do you know someone is desperate for attention?

 

[jonlin]

Börje Salming. Even the old-time players in Finland say Börje opened the door to NHL for Europeans. Its 100% Salming.

Mr B. Seasons,games,goals,assists,ppg

17

1 148

150

637

787

0.69

Mr L.

20

1 564

264

878

1 142

0.73

So who was better player?

It`s essential to understand a question before answering it. You can start your own thread with that post.

 

[Toby91ca]

Likely Lidstrom to today's player but Borje was probably more important to Lidstrom and players in his Era .

However guys like Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson were also big to Swedish players. Salming was good but he wasn't really the first real Swedish star in the league

He wasn't? Who was then because the rest of hockey world seems to think it was him.