Better Defenseman: Leetch or Niedermayer?

Who was the better defenseman?

  • Brian Leetch

    Votes: 26 28.3%

  • Scott Niedermayer

    Votes: 66 71.7%
  • Total voters
    92
S

suncactus9

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Thought this would be an enjoyable poll. Both of these defensemen had marvelous careers. I strongly encourage voters to document their support for their choice!
 
I base my value in a dman for the opposing team by how much I hate them. Meaning they are so damn good, it makes my blood boil. Scottie wins that battle for me.
 
I also go with Niedermayer. He's won everything, World Junior Gold, World Championship Gold, Olympic Gold, and multiple Stanley Cups. And I also put him up there with Lidstrom with regards to his all-around ability.
 
Neids all the way. Not even close. Shouldn't even be a poll ;)

The thing that amazed me the most about him, was that he never panicked.

When I think about d-men over the past 30 years, Leech might crack my top 20. Neids is in the top 5, easily.
 
Orca Pod said:
Neids all the way. Not even close. Shouldn't even be a poll ;)

The thing that amazed me the most about him, was that he never panicked.

When I think about d-men over the past 30 years, Leech might crack my top 20. Neids is in the top 5, easily.
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Leetch was a great defenseman...for a couple of years. Neidermayer was excellent for his entire career. He did it all, and much like Lidstrom, still could have played for a few more years at a high enough level to still be classified among the best in the league

Like Randy said, it's not even close really.
 
Well - I disagree with the masses so far.

Leetch won the Calder, Norris twice, Conn Smythe and led a team to the Stanley Cup, won the World Cup and won Silver at the Olypics not to mention that he scored nearly 300 more points in about 60 less game.

Nothing against Niedermayer - he was a wonderful player - but lets not completely dismiss Leetch because he had disappointing stops in Boston and Toronto at the end of his career.
 
Niedermayer he got cups for the devils an the ducks even in his last year he could still control the game i was glad I got to watch a defensemen of his caliber for a few years
 
You all have made me so incredibly happy! I have a buddy in my office who scoffs at me when I tell him this shouldn't really be a debate. I've always considered Niedermayer a top 10 (maybe top 5) of all time. Leetch was good, but well behind Scottie, at least in my opinion. I'm glad to see that im not off my rocker! I cannot wait to go to work tomorrow!!!
 
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Yes Leetch did do all those things but what isn't mentioned is he was a terrible defencman. Scott was a defenceman first and then a scorer second.



timber09 said:
Well - I disagree with the masses so far.

Leetch won the Calder, Norris twice, Conn Smythe and led a team to the Stanley Cup, won the World Cup and won Silver at the Olypics not to mention that he scored nearly 300 more points in about 60 less game.

Nothing against Niedermayer - he was a wonderful player - but lets not completely dismiss Leetch because he had disappointing stops in Boston and Toronto at the end of his career.
Click to expand...
 
Let's also not forget that Scott Niedermayer had the luxury of playing NEXT TO other Hall of Fame dmen his entired career in Scott Stevens then Chris Pronger.

Brian Leetch didn't have those types of players next to him for all 25-30 min a game.
 
I like Nieds better but I wouldn't have him anywhere my top 5 dman if we're considering the last 30 years. That would mean he is better than one of the following at least: Bourque, Coffey, Lidstrom, Larry Robinson, Potvin, and Chelios on top of the current guys like Chara and Weber.
 
Leetch was the better player. He controled the same, could skate like the wind, put up great numbers and played on teams where the forwards were not in a defensive minded system and would help out.

I would put Leetch in the top 25 all time best D-men and Niedermayer in the top 30.

If the idea of winning the cup the most makes you the best, I guess Serge Savard is the best D-man of all time. Not.
 
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We are comparing apples and oranges here in my opinion, they were two different types of d-men. A better poll might be Leetch or Coffey because of their offensive minded game, but whatever.
 
Leetch, obviously I am a bit biased, but if we are talking as an individual player rather than teams and career around them Leetch would still be my answer.

He was just on a different level offensively and still won a bunch of defensive awards.
 
when looking at the overall body of work of the two, junior, NHL, International it has to go to Nieds. The longevity at such a high level, and the overall amount of winning is second to non.
What other players have won as much as Niedermayer?
 
Both are top 25 all-time defensemen but it isn't as much a land-slide for a few reasons. Let's not forget that Nieds was considered somewhat of a disappointment for a long time until putting it together near the end of his run with Jersey. For all he was, he could've been much more for much longer.
 
Orca Pod said:
Neids all the way. Not even close. Shouldn't even be a poll ;)

The thing that amazed me the most about him, was that he never panicked.

When I think about d-men over the past 30 years, Leech might crack my top 20. Neids is in the top 5, easily.
Click to expand...

id love to see your top 20 d-men from the past 30 years. as a rangers fan i would say scott was better but to say leetch MIGHT crack your top 20? that might be going a little overboard.
 
I put Leetch. I personally think Niedermayer is overrated but that's just me. I'll agree with a few on here that his defensive partners have had a lot to do with his success.
Don't get me wrong, very good defenseman but not as good as Leetch was.
 

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