Best player to take enemy star "out from his game"?

[TAnnala]

I was wondering who is the best player to have when your team is being manhandled by opposite team star. I don't mean player like Yzerman who can play amazing hockey against anyone. I don't mean Gretzky/Lemieux kind of superstar who can turn the play by sheer offense.

I am looking for a player like Tikkanen, who can, in critical moments, take the opposing star out by only intimidating/annoying you out. Someone who gets under your skin.

[tarheelhockey]

I doubt you're going to find a much better answer than the one you already gave. Tikkanen is the king of pests.

Claude Lemieux was pretty effective, too. Just flat-out drove people crazy.

[quoipourquoi]

Tikkanen and Lemieux, from my generation. I thought Avery would be the next from that mould in 2008, but he never recaptured the magic. Hasek and Roy got some players to grip their sticks a little too tight as well. I know Perry wanted to be that kinda player, but it never quite happened, and he's better for it.

If I had to choose one of Tikkanen and Lemieux, it would be Claude Lemieux though. Fun fact: He and Tikkanen are the only non-HOF players to have three separate playoff runs with at least 10 goals.

[LeBlondeDemon10]

Rejean Houle on Bobby Hull in the 71 SC finals.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Konstantinov for the Wings in '97. It's one of the reasons people brought his name up for Norris and Conn Smythe consideration that season.

Kasparaitis is another one who had that effect on star players, especially in the Isles upset of the Penguins.

[Rhiessan71]

Ulf Samuelsson is another.

[Hawkey Town 18]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Stardust

Konstantinov for the Wings in '97. It's one of the reasons people brought his name up for Norris and Conn Smythe consideration that season.

Kasparaitis is another one who had that effect on star players, especially in the Isles upset of the Penguins.

Yet Lidstrom and Murphy were the pair matched up against Lindros and the Legion of Doom.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Originally Posted by Hawkey Town 18

Yet Lidstrom and Murphy were the pair matched up against the Lindros and the Legion of Doom.

That may have been the case most of the time, but Konstantinov drew the ire of his opponents. Look at the Avs series as an example. Or this brief clip of him getting under Lindros' skin.

[TAnnala]

Originally Posted by tarheelhockey

I doubt you're going to find a much better answer than the one you already gave. Tikkanen is the king of pests.

Claude Lemieux was pretty effective, too. Just flat-out drove people crazy.

Ok, i was kind of thinking these two are the best pest's there is. Would be nice to see the discussion about how high they rank on all-time lists.

I mean, Tikkanen was no slouch when it came time to score. Is he a reasonable candidate for the HOF? He is one of the hardest guys to play against. Especially post-season.

Cause there is no debating if Claude or Esa were important parts off Cup teams in PO's.

Is the skill of being annoying enough to put you in the hall?