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Happy Birthday, Denis Potvin

Contrary to the anachronistic chant, Denis Potvin did not suck. But he was one mean bugger -- as Ulf Nilsson well knew -- in addition to being an all-world talent. Al Arbour knew how to push his buttons.

Potvin turns 56 today. Here's what some of his peers thought of him:

(And yes, I scheduled this mini-tribute for, well, his birthday -- but innit fitting for the morning after beating the Rangers?)

0 recs  |  Comment 10 comments |

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People today have no idea how intimidating Potvin was defensively. He crushed people. Always have believed no D man could change a game like he could at both ends. His offensive and defensive combination was truly unique.

by 7:11_OT on Oct 29, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, I think that side of him gets overlooked today — not sure anyone even to this day compares to his combo of skills at both ends, not to mention his incredible drive to win and be the best. I know I wish I’d seen more of him when I was old enough to fully appreciate how special he was, and realize I’d possibly never see a player like that again.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 29, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't think there will ever be a defenseman as complete as he was...

Pronger probably comes about as close as anyone to being as tough and as much of an offensive threat. How do they compare?

Pronger 144—470—614—- +157

Potvin 310—742—1052 +460

And, yes folks, that’s NOT a typo! +460. Nobody will EVER touch that!!!

We do have Hamonic and Niemi coming up and I am hoping that we draft Patrik Nemeth in the second round. That should give us a tough, physical, and talented defense in combo with De Haan, Ness, and Hillen. But there will never be another Denis.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 29, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OBTW...

One comment I put on this You Tube video to some poster claiming Orr was better. Bobby and the Bruins were bitter rivals of the Rangers for years. So much so that on Espo’s Legends video, he recounts how he told Grapes he would jump out the window when Grapes told him he was going to the Rangers. Thing is 30 years later, Ranger fans don’t sing songs about Bobby, do they?

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 29, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Orr was a great player

but Potvin did whatever he could do to win.

Orr was a bit of a hot dog out there.

by Chickendirt on Oct 29, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Orr was truly revolutionary on offense, but he was not nearly the intimidating factor Potvin was on defense. I saw Potvin stretcherize two different players with legal hits. At the end of the day, you are a DEFENSEman, and I will take Potvins overall contribution at both ends any day. His whole game was superior IMO.

by 7:11_OT on Oct 29, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I love that this turned into a Potvin v. Orr debate

Do Orr’s knee troubles factor in for anyone? I never saw Orr live, but my impression (with Orange and Blue glasses) is stardom aside, today I’d rather have Potvin in my lineup.

(I do respect that Orr was revolutionary, but I also think based on his highlights that he — like Gretzky — benefited from playing in an era when the competition was comically inept to stop him.)

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 29, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NHL Network 'On the Fly'

Anyone catch his work this week on the NHL Network? I thought he was really good — better than his color work for the Panthers.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 30, 2009 2:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm a little late to this, but.....

…..Denis was a VERY big part of why I completely walked away from the Bruins in the fall of ‘75 after having been a diehard Orr and, to a lesser extent, B’s fan for 5 years (much of the Orr fan club stuff long gone) I still consider him to be one of my childhood heroes and, physical contrasts aside, there are some ways I identified with him off the ice – and his b-day was only 3 before mine (well, and 9 years)…..

Met both of them (Orr with Mike Walton in 1972, Potvin with his daughter Madeleine at an old-timer’s game in 1993 (?) and Bobby was a lot friendlier, but Denis still cordial, probably a little rattled by my putting an arm around him for the picture I got – with Maddy in it too (sometimes, of course, he could be very glib, as is well-known…..) still have a large file of Potvin articles and periodical photos from 1975-1990, probably around 100 items in total, as well as all the Hockey News, Hockey Digest, Hockey World, Sports Illustrated, Goal covers (only 1 of those, actually, that the Eighties cover story – have seen one from his rookie season with Jean that I wanted to nab…..) To this day I wish McFarlane had issued a figure for Denis as well as Bossy, but the whole Orr comparison probably made that unlikely.

by ogam5 on Nov 3, 2009 8:30 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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Richard Park 10 RW 5/27/1976 190 5-11
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