Lidstrom > Forsberg in terms of dominance, but not Swedes? hearts

I thought this was a no-brainer, but Versus? Bill Meltzer believes otherwise:


Now that Peter Forsberg has announced his retirement two games into his comeback with the Colorado Avalanche, it seems like a good time to discuss where Forsberg ranks all-time among Swedish players. Comparing players is often an apples-to-oranges proposition?especially when they play different positions?but if I absolutely had to pick one player as the greatest of all-time, I would give Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom the nod over Foppa.


It has everything to do with longevity. At age 40, Lidstrom is still going strong and in fact, is a solid candidate to win his seventh Norris Trophy. Even if you think he?s lost a step, well, he?s still better than 95 percent of the defensemen in the league. With Mats Sundin (who is nearly a year younger) retired for two years and Forsberg (three years Lidstrom?s junior) limping into retirement after a brilliant but injury-plagued career, Lidstrom continues to build on his legacy.


If longevity means consistency, sure.  Meltzer continues, suggesting that Lidstrom?s better than Borje Salming (he is) but not as popular (duh):

Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/A2Y/comments/lidstrom_forsberg_in_terms_of_dominance_but_not_swedes_hearts/

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