Blues best all-time D pairings

[blues2112]

To me, one stands out, but I may be missing some. (And, it's possible (unlikely? probable? impossible?) that Broberg and Mailloux could become a monster pair down the road.)

Which Blues duo is tops?

[clemonsonroots]

I am sure Pronger and Al will be brought up...not sure this would count as they were not really a pairing. One was always on the ice at all times though.

[Frank Barone]

Pronger and MacInnis played together a lot at the end of games protecting a lead or trying to tie a game. Hard to beat two first ballot hall of famers.

The pair that played together regularly at a high level and won a championship was Parayko and Bouwmeester.

I don't remember how regularly Scott Stevens and Jeff Brown played together.

[Old_Goat]

Pronger and MacInnis played together a lot at the end of games protecting a lead or trying to tie a game. Hard to beat two first ballot hall of famers.

The pair that played together regularly at a high level and won a championship was Parayko and Bouwmeester.

I don't remember how regularly Scott Stevens and Jeff Brown played together.

I agree with you. Pronger and Macinnis played together enough to warrant calling them the best pair. And of course Parayko and Bouwmeister are right up there for recognition -- Championships matter.
But I'll add Barclay and Bob to the mix -- it was a different style of game back then, but they had league-wide respect as Defensemen.

[DawgDad]

Barc and whoever he was paired with in the moment. One of the best Blues teams, the 80-81 bunch, had a very pedestrian defensive corps, no candidates. Later Ramage was pretty good but not in the same class as Barc, Stevens, Al and Chris. One of the early Blues teams had Doug Harvey but he was past his prime.

[Old_Goat]

Barc and whoever he was paired with in the moment. One of the best Blues teams, the 80-81 bunch, had a very pedestrian defensive corps, no candidates. Later Ramage was pretty good but not in the same class as Barc, Stevens, Al and Chris. One of the early Blues teams had Doug Harvey but he was past his prime.

Of course all of those names...but I was focusing on the Pairing aspect. The Barc and Bob dynamic & innate synergy was a reliable shutdown.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Big Al and Pronger is what would come to mind for me. Back then they weren't running pairings tho. it seemed more like Pronger and Al would take up 25 minutes+ and everyone else would just float around them.

Our best pairing to perform when it mattered was Parayko and Bouw. They were right in line for MVP voting during the cup run. They were the ones taking the hard minutes and on the PK.

[Backesdraft]

So I guess we’re just going to pretend like Lee Norwood and Curt Giles weren’t a thing? Shame.

[BalotelliMassive]

Jackman and MacInnis for me.

[blues2112]

Barc and whoever he was paired with in the moment. One of the best Blues teams, the 80-81 bunch, had a very pedestrian defensive corps, no candidates. Later Ramage was pretty good but not in the same class as Barc, Stevens, Al and Chris. One of the early Blues teams had Doug Harvey but he was past his prime.

That 80-81 team had 10 guys with 20 or more goals and Liut in net.
You're absolutely right about the D: LaPointe, Micheletti, Brownschidle, Stewart, Kea and Gerry :I'll just fall on the puck" Hart.

In the 35th anniversary book, I think, Federko said Blues greatly missed Gassoff's nastiness on that team.

[HighStick]

Pronger/Macinnis and Parayko/Bouwmeester are the only pairings worth mentioning.

[BluesDom]

So I guess we’re just going to pretend like Lee Norwood and Curt Giles weren’t a thing? Shame.

That’s before my time. However, I’m not doubting you. Lee Norwood did not play very many games for the Blues. And the year that he played in 71 games, I did not see Curt Giles on the roster. Looks like Giles played a handful of games. In Lee Norwood’s later stent with the blues. OK now I am doubting you and I’m thinking that you’re just being funny. It took me a while to catch up.

I think it’s pretty safe to say that this pair would not be the best pair. Pronger MacInnis. Awesome. I was thinking Pietrangelo. But I can’t remember who his partner was. I don’t remember him having a consistent partner.

[DawgDad]

I think what history shows is that until Pronger and MacInnis were a thing the Blues REALLY struggled with their defense, a good player here and there but nothing that made a pair or grouping notable. Arguably, those initial Blues teams had a bit more on the blue line than than just Barclay Plager but they were bleeding minutes out of faded veterans for the most part. Bob did have a couple of good seasons but by the time he did the team wasn't really any good.

[Army's Mom]

So I guess we’re just going to pretend like Lee Norwood and Curt Giles weren’t a thing? Shame.

Tom Tilley and Rick Zombo have entered the chat.

[BluesDom]

Rob Ramage had a great run with the blues.

[BleedingBleu]

Tucker & Mailloux were pretty historic…