Why haven't people given credit Paul Coffey deserves?

Question

You know....for someone who has the 2nd most points for a defensemen he is one of least talked about.

You never hear him with the likes of Orr and Bourque.He holds the record for most SH goals by a defensemen in one year (9) and another for most goals in one season by a defensemen (48).He had 138 points in one season,1 away from tying Bobby Orr's record.

I don't know if it's just me but I never hear about him anymore in the ranks of the greats of defensemen.

Answer 1

Great player no doubt but he was a a*****e.

Answer 2

You know who else I never hear anything about?  Ron Francis.  And even though he was inducted to the Hall this year I still don't hear anything about him.  He's THIRD all-time in NHL games played (1,731), SECOND all-time in assists with 1,249 (only behind Wayne Gretzky), and FOURTH all-time with 1,798 points.  That's REALLY impressive, and nobody gives him credit at all.  People still talk about Phil Esposito, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, etc. but what about Ron Francis?  He's higher up on the list of all-time points than those three guys!

Answer 3

It's true, we don't hear much about him anymore. I really don't know the answer to why we don't, I have always seen him as one of the best defensemen to ever play the game.

Answer 4

agreed. but he never one to hog the spotlight anyway.

Answer 5

The one thing I never hear Paul Coffey getting the credit he most deserves is for his pure skating ability.  He might just be arguably  the best skating defenseman of all time.  Definitely the best I ever saw when he was in his prime.

I know more than few people who give WAY too much credit to Gretzky for the Edmonton dynasty of the 80's.  I think that may have a bit to do with it.  I have heard more than once that Paul Coffey only has those numbers because of his supporting cast in those years.

Also, as what many mentioned before, he isn't exactly known for being the most friendly guy.  Its much harder to give due credit to somebody who isn't as humble as a guy like Sakic or Lidstrom.

Answer 6

Coffee, as did the rest of the Oilers, lived by the theory that the best defence is a great offence. Hard to argue the point that it's really hard for the other team to score when you're skating down ice with the puck. Realistically though, Coffee wasn't a lot above average in his own end, which IMO is how you should rate a defenceman.

Answer 7

Thanks Paul.

Answer 8

In my mind it's because he  bounced around so much. His only mainstops were Edmonton Pittsburgh and Detroits where he was  surrounded w/stars

Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson in Edmonton

Mario, Jagr, Francis, Stevens in Pittsburgh.

Yzerman, Federov, Shanahan, Shepard, Larinov in Detroit

After that he was never in 1 place too long

2 seasons in LA

Half a season in Hartford

1.5 seasons w/Philly

10gms w/Chicago

1.5 seasons w/Carolina

18gms w/Boston

Answer 9

hes got the stats but god d**n he was an @sshole. just a straight up prick

Answer 10

Bobby Orr: Great guy!

Paul Coffey: Giant Douche!

Thats why.

Answer 11

He was one of the best skaters the NHL has seen, which is why he put up great offensive numbers.  But overall he was not to good in his own end.  More of a offensive defensiveman.

Answer 12

Great question and you make some great points.  In addition to the individual accomplishments, I believe he has 6 rings.  He could skate like the wind as well.

I think there are a few reasons.  First, he played for a team that was loaded with stars in Edmonton during a great era of the game.  Second, and I think the biggest reason, I think he hung around a few years too many.  He probably should have hung them up around 1995.  He was a shell of the player in Hartford, Chicago, Philly, Carolina and Boston that he was with the Oilers and Penguins.  Outside of the 2000 season in Carolina, he was never capable of playing more than around 55 games.

I agree, he should be considered among the top defensemen of all time.