Foppa, Lidas, Börje or Sudden?
It is the eternal discussion within Swedish hockey.
Now Mats Sundin gives his view on who is really the greatest – with the most beautiful girl to Nicklas Lidström.
– Me and Foppa can always say that, he says.
Mats Sundin’s career was truly enormous. In total, it was 17 seasons in the NHL, most of them in the Toronto Maple Leafs where he was also captain, and to this day he is the Swede in NHL history who has scored the most goals and points. But the competition to be Sweden’s greatest player of all time is fierce.
Great legendaries
Börje Salming was the great pioneer for Swedish hockey players away in North America, when he broke completely new ground and became a real crowd favorite in Toronto. For a few years, Peter Forsberg was also one of the world’s best players, and with his solid physique and his sense of play, he became the idol of many. And you really mustn’t forget Nicklas Lidström.
“Lidas” won a total of seven Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defender, and is classed together with icons such as Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque as perhaps the best defender in history. There is an eternal discussion in Swedish hockey about who is actually the greatest of the four legends mentioned above, and now Mats Sundin gives his view on the sensitive question.
The fit for Lidas
In an interview with Expressen from earlier this spring, Sundin revealed that, just as it was announced at Tiderna’s hockey gala, he agrees that Nicklas Lidström is the greatest.
– I was very happy when Nicklas Lidström was appointed to it at the Tidernas hockey gala. He has the best record of all Swedish players. Still, it took a long time before he got the same recognition as me and Foppa here at home, says Sudden.
But at the same time there is a factor that Sundin likes to weigh in. He says, very jokingly, that he and Peter Forsberg had significantly more demanding roles during their years in the NHL.
– Then me and Foppa can always say that it’s easier to play back, haha, he says.
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