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Page 1 of 2  Top 7, from the school of hard knocks. There is always debate around who the best ever is/was at a particular position in any sport. Most of the time, the argument ends in a stalemate, because how can you really compare Jim Brown to Barry Sanders, or Ty Cobb to Tony Gwynn? This is not one of these times, this is the Top 7 List, damn your eyes, and we will have answers!
In hockey, there is only one certainly, and that was that #99 was the very best, but the rest is up for discussion. So let's delve into one of the tougher positions to qualify, and certainly one of the toughest to play: Defense!
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| Mikail Tatarinov Soviet National Teams, NHL 1990-94
Here's a ringing endorsement: Gretzky called Tatarinov the best of all-time. The man was a wall of solid shoulder...at least until he came to the NHL and faded into mediocrity.
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| Denis Potvin 1973-88
Even if he was good enough to be #1, he would still be no higher than #6, for calling himself better than Orr. Still, he ended his career as a point-per-game blueliner, played some good D, and won 4 Cups with the Isles, as part of one of the great dynasties.
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| Larry Robinson 1972-92
"Big Bird" was a force on the blue. He had all the tools, and the respect of all the players in the league. He was so good, he played for 20 years, winning the Cup in 6 times. Today, he's one of the best coaches in the NHL, attesting to how well he knew the game.
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| Paul Coffey 1980-2000
The man scored 48 goals in a season. Although his play has really tailed off the past few seasons, he also played 20 years. He was a multiple Norris Trophy winner. He won 3 Stanley Cups. He couldn't be bothered to play a lick of defense, but he was the best skater the game has ever seen.
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| Doug Harvey 1947-69
Nearly the opposite of Coffey, Harvey wasn't know at all for his offense, but no one was complaining, because he was the best defensive defenseman that ever lived. He won 6 Cups, and practically invented the Norris Trophy, winning it 7 times--in an 8 year span.
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| Ray Bourque 1979-2001
Ray finally has his Cup, and his destiny is now complete. He retires as the highest scoring D-man of all-time. Ray has more tools than any other defenseman, laying devastating checks, playing the puck to a tee, firing laser-sighted passes, and booming a hellbent slapper from the point. Simply put, the best all-around defenseman ever to lace up the skates.
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