OT: Who was the better defenseman: Stevens or Niedermayer?

[HyperX]

From a Devils fan to Devils fans - Im curious who is seen as the better defender

Stevens is my choice and the reason my favorite number is 4

Niedermayer though had the better stats in the second half of their careers

Who would you choose?

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[HyperX]

Perhaps off topic wasnt the best choice for a label but I didnt know what else to choose so :/

 

[The 29th Pick]

I thought Scott was the best

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

Scottie

 

[Satans Hockey]

I thought Scott was the best

I thought the Scott that was inducted into the hockey hall of fame was the best.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I thought the Scott that was inducted into the hockey hall of fame was the best.

no no no, the Scott who's jersey was retired is the best c'mon man

 

[Classic Devil]

This is not close. Stevens by miles and miles.

 

[HyperX]

This is not close.

It seems that way !

I remembered them being closer but its also because I was very young

 

[The 29th Pick]

they were different styles, I loved both of them when they played for us, a lot of Scott Stevens qualities went less noticed, but overall he was the best D-man I have ever watched, Nieds was great in his own right, his skating and offensive abilities were great (and noticed)
although Scott Stevens offense was damn good in the early 90's too

 

[Devils731]

I think if you let me have either one at their very best then I’d take Stevens.

I think people would be surprised that Stevens had 3 season with more goals then Niedermayer ever had in a season; only 1 of those 3 in the 80s.

 

[Satans Hockey]

no no no, the Scott who's jersey was retired is the best c'mon man

I mean while that is true I also think the Scott who won 3 Stanley Cups with the Devils is also the best Scott.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I mean while that is true I also think the Scott who won 3 Stanley Cups with the Devils is also the best Scott.

maybe but the Scott born and raised in Canada is the tie-breaker, he's the best Defense man period!

 

[JK3]

Like CD said, Stevens by a mile, but in the context of how the league was back then, his skill set fit perfectly. Big, hard hitting and extremely sound in his own zone, never mind taking into account the sheer terror he could instill into forwards crossing the blue line. I'd like to think the intimidation factor went a long way as well as his leadership skills, perfect player at the right time in how the game was played.

In todays game Neids would have the edge with his offense and skating ability. Just a sublime skater that could diffuse and shut down plays and go the other way with ease. His skating allowed him to do anything he wanted.

Both players put their offensive games on the shelf under Lemaire. Neids would be racking up a good amount of points now and people would be going gaga over his style of play. On that note, it often gets overlooked that Stevens put up some great numbers early on and was no slouch in that department at all.

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

If Stevens walked into our locker-room as the d-man coach tomorrow, our D would instantly improve with his mere presence.

 

[Guadana]

It`s not even a question.

 

[jkrdevil]

Stevens.

 

[njdevils1982]

Like CD said, Stevens by a mile, but in the context of how the league was back then, his skill set fit perfectly. Big, hard hitting and extremely sound in his own zone, never mind taking into account the sheer terror he could instill into forwards crossing the blue line. I'd like to think the intimidation factor went a long way as well as his leadership skills, perfect player at the right time in how the game was played.

In todays game Neids would have the edge with his offense and skating ability. Just a sublime skater that could diffuse and shut down plays and go the other way with ease. His skating allowed him to do anything he wanted.

Both players put their offensive games on the shelf under Lemaire. Neids would be racking up a good amount of points now and people would be going gaga over his style of play. On that note, it often gets overlooked that Stevens put up some great numbers early on and was no slouch in that department at all.

i know ive done it before in haste also but……its nieds, not neids…..

 

[JimEIV]

This is upsetting to me...Scott Stevens was a transformational player. While Niedermayer was a spectacular player he couldn't and never did change a game the way Stevens could and did on numerous occasions. This is like comparing Ragnar to Odin.

 

[Billdo]

The Scott with his numbers in the rafters

 

[Billdo]

Seriously though people forget how offensively gifted Stevens was and how that seemingly was an afterthought when he got here. He was an absolute stud in every sense of the word in his early years.

 

[Darkauron]

Man I wish I could have watched Stevens in his prime. What I would do for a player like him

 

[Classic Devil]

Seriously though people forget how offensively gifted Stevens was and how that seemingly was an afterthought when he got here. He was an absolute stud in every sense of the word in his early years.

Trust me, in 1993-1994 everyone was very aware! But after that he made the conscious choice to be the stalwart instead, and it's that Stevens that people remember.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Seriously though people forget how offensively gifted Stevens was and how that seemingly was an afterthought when he got here. He was an absolute stud in every sense of the word in his early years.

He had 78 points his 3rd year in NJ, 18 goals/60 assists ...thats no afterthought, I wish our forwards now were producing 78 points per...

 

[Billdo]

Trust me, in 1993-1994 everyone was very aware! But after that he made the conscious choice to be the stalwart instead, and it's that Stevens that people remember.

He had 78 points his 3rd year in NJ, 18 goals/60 assists ...thats no afterthought, I wish our forwards now were producing 78 points per...

I meant as a whole for casual fans most just know him as a heavy hitting beast not a guy who would put up 75-80 points while breaking your face.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Crazy question. The only sensible answer is “Both.”