from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
Bobby Orr played his last great hockey in the 1976 Canada Cup tournament and it’s far too easy to forget, looking back, that it happened 48 years ago.
Orr won his first NHL scoring title in 1970 — as the first, then later the second, defenceman in hockey history to win an Art Ross Trophy. The first came 54 years ago.
At the height of his brilliance, in an unmatched six-year period, Orr scored 734 points, finished first in NHL scoring twice, second three times, third once. Most of that coming more than 50 years ago.
Why does of any of that matter now? Because at all-star weekend in Toronto, when the subject of Sidney Crosby’s place in hockey history was being discussed and debated by younger chroniclers of the sport in the media room, it was remarkable to me how many influencers in the game had little idea of everything Orr had accomplished in hockey.
So many never saw him play. Unless you’re 60 or above in age, there’s a chance you didn’t see enough of him. And those of us who witnessed history sometimes take for granted that we did.
Below, dedicate 45 minutes to watching the ESPN SportsCentury feature on Orr.
via HawksInsider,
Two greats, Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe shared a funny story together that took place in the late of the 1960's.
»Early in the game, I got my elbow a little high on him. A little later, I was watching one of my pretty passes, looking back, and next thing I knew, I was on the ice. I'd had my head down, and he hit me pretty good. Gordie had let me know that he was still the man.
He was standing over me, glaring down at me. A bunch of my teammates skated to my defense and there was a little scrum, but I didn't want that. I told my guys, It's OK, I asked for that. I'll take care of it myself.' Later on, I had asked him about the hit, and in typical Gordie-fashion said, It's better to give than to receive.' » Bobby Orr
From someone who has no love for the Bruins nor their fans, I am old enough to know - Bobby Orr was the best of all time. There are a handful of players who you can make a business case for - and Sidney is not one of them. You can make the case for Gordie and Gretz. Maybe Mario if he was healthy for longer. Bobby Orr changed the way the game was played. I was very young, but I remember that Defensemen in the pre expansion era did not move the puck and play offense the way Bobby Orr did. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. But Bobby Orr really changed it. Think about those who followed - Potvin, Coffey, Borque.....Orr set the bar. And - it's not even close in my opinion.
Talking about Mario needing to stay healthy longer to be considered great while raving about Orr is disingenuous at best.
Mario played 915 regular season games (starting when he was 19 and ending when he was 40). Add in another 107 playoff games.
Orr played 657 regular season games (starting when he was 18 and ending when he was 30--and saying 30 is being generous with Orr as 10, 20, and 6 game seasons knock that number to 26 yrs old in reality). Add in 74 playoff games.
The reason why Orr is not so revered anymore is because he lacks the durability and longevity that the truly greats had. Orr was certainly ahead of his time. But comparing athletes of today to those of working on a farm until training camp is another reason why Orr has been knocked down several pegs.
Older generations might not like it but the comparison I would make for Orr is Lindros or Bure. A brilliant career where they dominated the game for a period of time but too short to be considered among the greatest of all time.
Also raving about scoring pre-modern goalie techniques is cute and all, but I've seen the film. Orr's greatest shot would have been an easy goalie save in today's game.
Assume you are not old enough to have seen Orr play?
I did not realize that Mario played that many games - and he was beyond awesome.
But to compare Orr to Lindros and Bure, gave me a good chuckle. Bobby Orr changed the way the game was played by defensemen and he did win 2 Cups and the best player I ever saw. 657 games is more than enough to make a determination that he was the best player of all time. If you are going to compare him to a player who was great and career shortened by injury - at least offer up Mike Bossy. Boss played in about 100 more games and I think he may be the leader in terms of goals scored per career games - or at least top 3 - with 0.76 goals per game in his career. If Mike was able to keep that pace up for 1000 games - he would have had 760 goals. Wayne played over 1400 NHL games. Boss would be a better comp. Bobby Orr was more impactful than Boss too. AND I HATE TO SAY THAT being a big Isles fan :)
Orr's last year was many, many, many, etc years before my birth.
Mike Bossy might be a better comparison for a different generation--Lindros and Bure were dominating players with short careers. Bossy played one year where I would have watched. But he would have a better argument for among the best of the best because he played longer and was more durable when he played. He also faced more modern goalies--although he didn't see many that play on the ice and still cover the net like today.
The changing the game mantra is old and should immediately be followed by, "at a time when players had other jobs, goalies didn't have caged masks so their style was to protect their faces, and the skating was amateurish."
In other words does Bill Laimbeer get raised to an icon because he changed how PF's played the NBA game as a stretch 4 that could hit 3's and long range 2's at a time when almost all others PF's were playing with their backs to the basket. After all, stretch 4's are how the modern NBA PF's play.
That's the problem with comparing era's. I can say Howe was great because he was able to play professionally into his 50's. And that is something that can be compared to today. I can't say that about Orr whose last full season was at age 26. So when I look to his game I have to take into account goaltending equipment (Kevlar, plastic, carbon, foam and titanium) and sizes (5'3" goalies in Orr's days vs 6'7" goalies in the modern game) and level of competition which is a huge minus for any player that era.
I get it the old generation loves their icons. But the athletes of today simply are better. Do the Michigan in a game---well there are kids in pee wee that accomplish that today plus can do it at speed without having to be stationary. By the time those few make it to the professional league they will be better than the previous generation. One need only to look at Olympic records to see the progression of the professional athlete.
Orr was great for his time....but that time featured an inferior playing level especially in the goalie dept vs the modern game and that time was too short to be among the game true greats.
Orr did have a great PR machine of an old coach pumping his accomplishments for decades as the voice of Canada. But re-watch those goals and tell me a modern goalie has a problem with most.
Hey DCA, I get where you are coming from. But part of it might have been expansion going from 6 to 12+ teams and a watered down NHL at that time.
and I wanted to let you know I value your opinion.
That said - the best player ever to step on the ice with apologies to Mr Howe, Mr. Gretzky and Mr. Lemieux. You had to be there :)
Best ever defenseman.
end of story.
Gretzky and Gordie best forward.
take your preferred flavor.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.