pronger or neidermayer

your team is blessed with having two amazing defensemen like these two guys!

After having seen them both perform on your team which one would you keep if you had to choose? i am sure there have been other posts like this but i couldn't find any! since they both play on your team there should be little (or at least less then in most) bias!

have at er!

I think it is safe to say I would like to have Pronger on the powerplay over Scott.. but wait.. i hate the ducks

I've watched every game...

Niedermayer makes everything happen.

Niedermayer is more important.

Pronger has really stepped it up in the playoffs but I'm looking at the whole season and not right now.

I am giving it to Nieds, sure Pronger can hold the line and makes this team an instant cup contender. But I seen Nieds lead this team by himself without Pronger last season, and the leadership and smart plays he brings have no price.

I am aware Pronger's team beat us last season, but when we compare rosters I think Nieds had a bigger role.

Does anyone see the irony in this thread? the fact that you have to ask is pretty disgusting..haa

I'd stay away from the traitor.

Plus, it'd be worth it just to watch Neidermayer skate.

I am aware Pronger's team beat us last season, but when we compare rosters I think Nieds had a bigger role.
Pronger basically WAS the Oilers.

Too close. They both at excel different things. I think Niedermayer makes a bigger impact, he's a horse and very very consistent.... but Pronger's play can be a difference in the game.

It's an awfully tough question: Niedermayer does so much and he does it with ease. I'd hate to lose him. But, if you remember last year's playoff series with the Oilers, Pronger was dominent. Pronger outplayed Niedermayer and, notwithstanding Roleson's outstanding netminding, CP was the Oilers' MVP.

everyone here has said most of the things that can be said about this thread but I'll reiterate what most people are already saying.

Niedermayer easily in my opinion. Pronger did dominate us last year, but he has not been as dominant as he was last year on a consistent basis. Yes he's having a great playoff run right now, but not like last years IMO. He's incredible on the powerplay, but Niedermayer does way more for this team in my opinion.

Pronger

Niedermayer makes ALOT of turnovers

Pronger with eas

It'd be Pronger by a hair. Thankfully though we won't have to make this choice.

Pronger

Niedermayer makes ALOT of turnovers

Have you seen the last couple of games? Pronger gave various turnovers as well. We should just be glad we have the two of them.

Pronger basically WAS the Oilers.

I'm an Oiler fan. I know what Pronger brings (and doesn't bring - Pronger's Oilers without Roloson weren't even a playoff team)

But even though you could argue Pronger has a greater skillset, what use is it if he / his wife decides to up and leave before his contract with you is up? Ask Oilers fans.

I know I'd rather Lowe have gone the distance and signed Niedermayer right about now. Apparently it was down to the Oilers and the Ducks offering the same money, but Niedermayer didn't want to live in the fishbowl that is Edmonton (according to Lowe on OilersLive today)

so when do i get to vote in the poll?
anyway, i vote for nieds. amazing skater, smart agile d, really the only thing he lacks is a shot.

Not much of a gap when it comes to Pronger and Niedermayer.

Pronger's the better prototypical defenseman. He's big, he's got reach, he skates decently (for his size), he can hit (although he's toned that down a lot), and he's great at the breakout pass. But there's a lot of defensemen like him, although not nearly as good.

Niedermayer does things no other defensemen does with his skating and roaming. He's a one man trap breaker, and he can skate to a dumped in puck faster than most forwards. And he can skate and defend the speedsters such as Gaborik. He's the rarer talent.

If you're starting a team from scratch, it's easier to get a defenseman who does what Pronger does, just at a much lower level. There aren't really any Niedermayer-lites out there.

Having said that Pronger is the one that made our PP go this year, because in our team's history we have NEVER had a QB with a great shot. Olaussen was a decent passer and made pinches for backdoor plays, but he wasn't much of a scoring threat past the middle of the circles.

Tough call, but I still go with Nieds.

tough call but id go with pronger for the simple reason that the ducks looked horrible when pronger was out, i did not see the ducks fall apart when scotty was out. pronger is powerplay gold.

If my team had both id say neidermeyer because he doesnt do as much stupid stuff like pronger. OT IMO yall overuse both of those players. thats ehy you all win alot because they play for like 3/4 of the game and not your 3rd line d and all that but thats just my opinion

If my team had both id say neidermeyer because he doesnt do as much stupid stuff like pronger. OT IMO yall overuse both of those players. thats ehy you all win alot because they play for like 3/4 of the game and not your 3rd line d and all that but thats just my opinion

Its more like a fact.

Beauchemin. :sarcasm:

In truth, I'd take Nieds, if I weren't rooting like heck against you guys. Prongs is good, but he's only ever played well in the playoffs once - and he certainly doesn't look like he did as an Oiler last year so far.

tough call but id go with pronger for the simple reason that the ducks looked horrible when pronger was out, i did not see the ducks fall apart when scotty was out. pronger is powerplay gold.

yeah but Niedermayer was playing injured and we had Mike Wall as our starting goalie at the time. Niedermayer played well in 05-06 w/o Pronger. Niedermayer relies on his skating ability and was slowed during that stretch. If Pronger wasn't injured Niedermayer probably wouldn't have played..

I'm an Oilers fan, as you can see from my username. As much as I hate Chris Pronger for backstabbing us last year, I'd take him any day over Neidermayer because of his size, and his one year younger. He's great on the PP and the PK, hits, passes, logs a ton of ice-time (33 minutes) and blocks shots. He's also 6'6. What more could you ask from a D-man? Too bad we had to trade him. :( :( :( ...but we got Smid! He'll become a great D-man for us in the long-run.

Have fun, and enjoy Pronger.

Oh...and, good luck in the playoffs. Ducks all the way...so we get that extra 1st round pick next year! ;)

Pronger's the better prototypical defenseman. He's big, he's got reach, he skates decently (for his size), he can hit (although he's toned that down a lot), and he's great at the breakout pass. But there's a lot of defensemen like him, although not nearly as good.

Niedermayer does things no other defensemen does with his skating and roaming. He's a one man trap breaker, and he can skate to a dumped in puck faster than most forwards. And he can skate and defend the speedsters such as Gaborik. He's the rarer talent.

If you're starting a team from scratch, it's easier to get a defenseman who does what Pronger does, just at a much lower level. There aren't really any Niedermayer-lites out there.

Having said that Pronger is the one that made our PP go this year, because in our team's history we have NEVER had a QB with a great shot. Olaussen was a decent passer and made pinches for backdoor plays, but he wasn't much of a scoring threat past the middle of the circles.

Tough call, but I still go with Nieds.


What??? There are many players like Pronger?
Why do you think Edmonton had such a tough time trying to replace Pronger? If there were many like him, we would have gotten one, kept Ryan Smyth, made the playoffs instead of Calgary, beat Detroit in the 1st round...you know the rest of the story...;)

You don't see many defensemen who work as hard and bring that edge like Scotty Niedermayer brings to the table. I would love for my team (Boston) to have a leader like him he's a great player, always has been and has a great desire for the game. He may not have quite as much talent as Pronger but Niedermayer certainly has many other characteristics that make him just as valuable to any time.

I'm an Oiler fan. I know what Pronger brings (and doesn't bring - Pronger's Oilers without Roloson weren't even a playoff team)

But even though you could argue Pronger has a greater skillset, what use is it if he / his wife decides to up and leave before his contract with you is up? Ask Oilers fans.

I know I'd rather Lowe have gone the distance and signed Niedermayer right about now. Apparently it was down to the Oilers and the Ducks offering the same money, but Niedermayer didn't want to live in the fishbowl that is Edmonton (according to Lowe on OilersLive today)

I think the opportunity to play on the same team as his brother was the key factor in Scott Niedermayer's decision to sign with the Ducks. While Scotty seems like a low-key type who'd prefer not to live in a "fishbowl"-like environment, I don't think that that was the primary reason he wound up here in Anaheim.

I think Pronger has more visible impact. He's huge on the powerplay, he can throw his body around, and he's the kind of player you imagine when you picture a solid defenseman. Niedermayer, in my opinion, has more overall impact. A lot of the things he does are subtle and hard to see. Pronger might break up a scoring opportunity, but Niedermayer prevents them from happening to begin with. With his skating ability, he will turn what would be a scoring opportunity into just another attempt at gaining the zone. On top of that, there isn't a defenseman in the NHL who can skate the puck up like Niedermayer. One of the biggest keys to Anaheim gaining the zone is Niedermayer.

I would take Pronger.

Neids has the benefit that he looks great because of his skating and he is all over the place. Pronger much like Lidstrom is as smart as they come and is always in the right spot at the right time so he doesn't look as good even though he is probally more effective.

Add to it he has one of the best shots from the middle of the ice (any time he got a shot off with the Oilers last year you knew there was a good chance it was going in) one of the best passers, a great stick and you have a great dman.

I think the other thing about Pronger is he is really 2 dmen. He is so smart and reliable, that his partner plays like an allstar as well. Last year whoever played with Pronger was by far our 2nd best dmen. In fact Oiler fans were fooled into thinking Bergeron and Spacek were allstars when they played with him. Neids makes his partner better too but not to the same extent. Pronger looks weird in these playoffs though. I watched him play 96 games last year and never did he get beat like he has been. Must be hurt.

Niedermayer has the recovery speed to rush the net at oppourtune times and take a little more liberties with his movement on the ice than most defenders (and especially Pronger) can, but I think ultimately Prongers poke checking ability and his absolutely monstrous slapshot coupled with his underrated passing ability make him slightly more valuable imo. Niedermayer is a great character guy, the leader, the captain and nothing short of a great player, and its not to take anything away from him, but if I absolutely had to choose, I'd take Prongs. On this team right now, I think what he brings to the powerplay is possibly the greatest asset that any one player brings to our team. He will take less PIM too and his instincts are slightly better.

Niedermayer's a little better at beating a strong forecheck. Both he and Pronger can make the outlet pass, but Nieds when he's 100% is nearly impossible to forecheck effectively. He gets to the puck so much quicker, makes quick cuts to avoid forecheckers, or turns on the jets at the last moment.

It was always so frustrating to see a team try and forecheck the Devils when he was out there, he always seemed able to slip away from the most intense pressure in an annoyingly casual manner.

Niedermayer's a little better at beating a strong forecheck. Both he and Pronger can make the outlet pass, but Nieds when he's 100% is nearly impossible to forecheck effectively. He gets to the puck so much quicker, makes quick cuts to avoid forecheckers, or turns on the jets at the last moment.

It was always so frustrating to see a team try and forecheck the Devils when he was out there, he always seemed able to slip away from the most intense pressure in an annoyingly casual manner.

Do you really want to see an effortless Scott Niedermayer on your team? Vote for Rory.

I would say Nieds. I feel more loyal to him, being a member of the team longer, but obviously that isn't what they give the trophy out for. With that bias in mind I think Nieds is a better skater and logs more ice time.

One of them better win though. How is the winner determined? Pannel? Past winners? NHLPA?

Pretty funny because last year Flames fans didn't think that Pronger was the best d-man in his division let alone anything more than that. Truth be told, IMO he is the best d-man in the NHL. Last year with the Oilers, he put his previous play-offs failures to rest, he looks to play more positional hockey and less physical hockey, IMO ever since last year he has really become a great player. I can't stand the SOB like many of you can't stand Kariya, but he is what he is, and that's a great d-man. Then you figure in salary, and IMO it's a no-brainer in terms of Pronger > Niedermayer.

IMO Pronger is a better offensive weapon than Neids. He seems to have a better vision and a better shot.
Defensively I think they play a different style of hockey. Prongs is more physical and in your face, while Neids is more neimble and skillful.

It'd be a tough tough choice, but I'd take Pronger because I hate the Devils. :P

59% pro Pronger? Interesting.
Last season it would have been 100% that Niedermayer is the better Defender. I can remember some Ducks fans here are saying that Niedermayer is so much better than Pronger...last season of course, when he was an Oiler

There are a lot of non Duck fans here (not that I'm complaining) and I would wonder what this poll would be if only Duck fans voted.

There are a lot of non Duck fans here (not that I'm complaining) and I would wonder what this poll would be if only Duck fans voted.

Good point, I voted for Pronger so you can subtract my vote. IMO the main thing is that you lucky buggers have both!!! ;)

Niedermayer without a second thought for me, IMO he is the best player in the league right now. He is everywhere on the ice, sometimes he leads a forecheck and then casually strolls back to break up a two on one. I also think that he is not 100% right now, I am hoping we see him at full health for the next series.

Most definitely Pronger. I have never seen any player control plays like he does and his defensive instincts are second to none.

Is this a luxurious question Ducks fans can ask themselves or what?!?!

Real bad problem to have, let me tell you ;)

Personally, I'd take Niedermayer. A guy that's as competent as he is in all 3 zones is good in my books. Not to mention his skating is 2nd to nobody on the blueline in the NHL. It's close, but I'll take Nieds.

There are a lot of non Duck fans here (not that I'm complaining) and I would wonder what this poll would be if only Duck fans voted.

Key to those is to NOT put a poll up, and just have people vote in the replies. The thread starter manually counts the votes, and only includes the votes of the usernames that are DEFINITE Ducks fans.

That's how I tried to do my Drury/Briere "poll"