Where Does Zdeno Chara Rank Among The NHL's Best Defensemen Ever?
Zdeno Chara has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, an honor that cements his legacy. However, the question remains: is he among the top 10 NHL defensemen in history?
Chara certainly belongs in the conversation as one of the greats, but placing him in the top 10 requires excluding some legendary players. Would you rank Chara above Nicklas Lidstrom, Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin, or Ray Bourque? What about Paul Coffey, Doug Harvey, Larry Robinson, Chris Chelios, Chris Pronger, or Scott Stevens? In this writer's view, Chara ranks below all of these icons.
Chara comfortably fits within the top 15 defensemen of all time. This next tier includes stars like Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch, Scott Niedermayer, and Brad Park. When considering current players, young defense talents such as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Victor Hedman are also in the conversation for all-time greatness, but they are reserved for future debates after their careers conclude.
Chara’s impact on the game is considerable.
Summary: Zdeno Chara is undoubtedly a legendary defenseman and Hall of Famer whose place is secure in the top 15 NHL defensemen, though not quite in the top 10.