Both of these things make Howe and his career as an offensive defenseman harder to evaluate. In these cases I'm relying on anecdotal evidence. Widely considered the best defenseman to ever play the game,and even considered by some the best player ever, the legendary No. With blazing speed and tenacity, Bobby Orr always seemed to be around the puck. Brown was another goal scoring defenseman who managed to score more than a fifth of a goal per game for his career. Orrs ability to pace the Bruins offense helped him surpass 100 points in six seasons, including league highs of 120 in 1969-70 and 135 for 1974-75. The 1966 Topps #35 Bobby Orr rookie hockey card is his only rookie card and one of the most recognizable in the hobby. The smallish Housley was as talented a puck moving defenseman as has ever been in this league. He got the 14 during the Stanley Cup winning run despite having to come back from a knee injury to play in the final. The wisdom at the time was Swedish players would not endure rough play and if hit enough would go back home to Sweden. His shot while not devastating allowed him to provide a very consistent 10 goals a year everywhere he's played until injury caught up with him. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Herb Brooks protege, played for some of the worst Red Wing teams of all time. Orr invented the offensive defenceman." "Orr did it all and at top speed. Having made the trade for Esposito and with Orr already in the mix, the Bruins sensed better times ahead. He was the master of the long headman pass out of his zone as well. Ray Bourque won five James Norris Memorial trophies in his career, slotting him behind only Orr and Doug Harvey. According to Orr, though, his flight through the air was by choice. His third and final year in Winnipeg he had his best season with 79 assists and 97 points, both Jet records for a defenseman. Though injuries limited Orr to 46 games in the 1967-68 season, he still earned an All-Star berth and the first of his eight James Norris Memorial trophies as the leagues top defenseman. Niedermayer has stayed a little healthier. Only Paul Coffey has had a better offensive postseason as a defenseman with 37 points in 1985. Though only 14, Orr thrived against players as old as 20. This does tend to skew offensive statistics when compared to a player who only played defense, especially in the original six era. His career pinnacle came in 1981-82 when he won the James Norris trophy, had 85 points and scored an amazing 39 goals. the best defenseman to ever play the game, 5 Takeaways From Bruins Perfect 4-Game Western Trip, 4 Bruins Who Could Still Be Traded at the 2023 Deadline, Bruins Defensive Depth Leads to Multiple Luxuries, Bruins & Red Wings Could Make Big Trade at 2023 Trade Deadline, Bruins History Suggests Sweeneys Trade Deadline Work Not Done, NHL Rumors: Kings, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Coyotes, Red Wings, NHL Trade Bait List for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Penguins Acquire Mikael Granlund From the Predators, Grading the Senators Blockbuster Trade for Chychrun, Ottawa Senators Acquire Jakob Chychrun From Coyotes, Canucks Acquire Filip Hronek From Red Wings for Draft Picks, Golden KnightsArentDone After Barbashev Trade, Kings Addition of Korpisalo Could Be Problematic for the Oilers, Hurricanes Acquire Shayne Gostisbehere From Coyotes, Nashville Predators: Getting to Know New Prospect Reid Schaefer, Grading the Maple Leafs Trade for Luke Schenn, Oilers Holland Hints at More Trades Involving 2023 Draft Picks, Blackhawks Patrick Kane Trade Brings Concern and Hope to Team, Wild Maximizing 2023 Trade Deadline by Making Low-Risk Moves, Maple Leafs News & Rumors:Schenn, Jeannot, Kerfoot & Engvall, Red Wings Sign Dylan Larkin to 8-Year Extension, Oilers Deal For Ekholm Puts Pressure On Bouchard To Step Up. An absolute defensive force for Toronto, he led the team to four Stanley Cup wins during the 1960s. Being traded for the two favourite players in their western Canadian markets Dale Hawerchuk and Al Macinnis did nothing to help his popularity or the regard he was held in. But there is one campaign that seems to rise above the rest. Babych had a career high with 74 points in Winnipeg. The sports spectrum in New England was dominated by basketball at the time, as the Celtics had already brought home 11 championships by the time 1970 rolled around. Larry Robinson was the youngest and the best of the big three defenseman that patrolled the blueline for the Montreal Canadiens in the 70's and 80's. He won three James Norris trophies in a row from 1963 to 1965. Bobby Orr was the most creative individual in the game of hockey. He managed to contribute offensively for almost his entire career. Douglas Bradford "Brad" Park (born July 6, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A defenceman, Park played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.Considered to be one of the best defencemen of his era, he was named to an All-Star team seven times. He was known for his offense and defense in Montreal. In a 12-year NHL career that began in 1966, he revolutionized the role of the defenseman before he retired in 1978 at 30. Lightboxes. 4 earned the 1966-67 Calder Trophy, three Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies and was named to nine all-star teams. During the Boston Bruins 1969-70 seasonif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',823,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3-0');,Orr netted a remarkable 33 goals and 87 assists in 76 games. Wednesdays events at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. are literally unprecedented. He had 22 goals and 85 points on that offensive juggernaut that year and thought he was on his way to winning his third cup in a row in Pittsburgh. Closest Norris Finish: Second (1983, 1986, 1987). "Gordie in my mind is the best that ever played the game. Without getting into the entire story, hundreds of Donald Trump supporters stormed the building in what appeared to be an attempt to stop the results of October's election from being certified. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 03/04 BAP Ultimate Bobby Orr Defenseman Glove Patch Auto Signature 4/4 1/1 Jsy# at the best online prices at eBay! If you left him to run you almost never got a chance to notice them. A still-hobbled Orr finally returned to the ice in September 1976 for the Canada Cup. The Hall of Famer put up five seasons of 40 points or more with Chicago and New York, twice hitting the 50 mark, which was an incredible feat at the time. Orr, the 74-year-old legendary defenseman, ranks No. Bobby first played organized hockey at age 5, and soon showed an ability to skate faster than anyone else his age. He was drafted eighth overall by the Bruins in 1979, playing in Boston for 21 seasons. Despite injury and despite six years in the WHA Howe still has phenomenal career offensive numbers as a defenseman in the NHL. Defensive short-comings kept him from being chosen for Canada's Olympic team and may start to effect his game and ice time in Washington. He started in Buffalo with 19 goals and 66 points. LOS ANGELES - It was looking at a living Mount Rushmore of hockey. He used his fearless defensive ability to help the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup finals three times, but unfortunately, they lost each time. He is still the only defenseman ever to score five goals in a game. Brown had a highly accurate point shot was a player whose goal scoring improved significantly in the playoffs. From 1937 on he was a defenseman for the Bruins. Park is a five-time first-team All-Star, a two-time second-team All-Star and played in nine All-Star Games. Howe also led the Flyers to three Stanley Cup Finals appearances, but lost each time. Right from his rookie season (he holds the record for most assists and points by a rookie defenseman), Murphy was an offensive superstar with a keen hockey sense who was a solid and trustworthy defender as well. He was incredible offensively and defensivelyon the power play, shorthanded, in the playoffs. The club newsletter even carried an apology for the delay. Al MacInnis developed into a complete offensive defenseman as his career progressed, but it was his shot that got him to the NHL. That 1970 series produced an iconic image of Orr flying through the air after scoring the title-clinching overtime goal in the fourth and final game. Ice hockey never saw a better, more complete player than Bobby Orr. After a stint in the minors during his second season, Turnbull put his offensive game together in his third year, scoring 20 goals and 56 points. Paul had his best season in 1982-83 with 75 points in 78 games. The same way teams were forced to design defenses around Brett Hull, they forced to rush the point to keep Al MacInnis from getting that cannon off. As far as Canadiens defensive legends go, Larry stands as the only man I can think of who could top Doug Harvey in terms of team specific history. The only NHL season that Ray Bourque scored fewer than 10 goals in a season was his last in Colorado. His 59 points in the 1964-65 season was a record for defenseman in the pre-expansion era. Park was chosen MVP of the last and deciding game, Game 8. Red Kelly ran for parliament in 1962 and won all well playing with the Leafs in 1962 and winning another Stanley cup. By his third season Borque was a point a game NHL defenseman. The Florida Panthers spent three and a half seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they gave up on him. He was a point a game player for the next 12 years. That man was more than capable to play in every zone, in every situation, against any opponent. Orr on '72: Best player misses greatest win. Mark Howe spent, I hate to say wasted, the first six years of his professional career in the WHA playing for the Houston Aero's and then the New England Whalers. His .217 goals per game in the playoffs put him among the top 10 defensemen who had played at least 50 playoff games. Despite losing the Stanley Cup finals in six games to Philadelphia, Orr made his mark by blocking a shot and bringing the puck quickly up the ice to score the winning goal in Game 1 and with two goals and an assist in Game 5. For Orr, 1974-75 was a season of "lasts" his last full season as a player, his last full season with the Bruins and his last season playing with Phil Esposito. He broke the 80 point barrier twice. Closest Norris Finish: Third (1987, 1993). Not only did Orr become the first and to this date, the only defenseman to win a scoring title, the Bruins thrived as a team en route to their first Stanley Cup title since 1941. Orr, widely regarded as the greatest defenseman to ever play, agreed. He then circled behind the net and stood patiently to theright of the goal. Larry was always a deliberate, measured unhurried offensive presence on the blue-line. His offensive credentials were notarized the next year when he scored five goals versus the Red Wings in a 9-1 rout. He suffered a nasty injury from a collision with a net the next year that degraded his offensive ability. As I went across, Glenns legs opened. Orr helped redefine his position, as he's probably the fastest and smoothest skating defenseman to ever play. The physical Potvin was an abundantly talented skater, stick handler and playmaker. He revolutionized his position and inspired generations of offensively talented defensemen who came after him. On top of that, the Bruins advanced to the postseason for the first time in nine years. During the playoffs he scored goals at a higher rate then in the regular season. Unveiled on May 10, 2010, this statue commemorates Boston Bruins Hall-of-Fame defenseman Bobby Orr (1948-) and one of the most iconic moments in NHL history. Now, at least five people are dead and President Trump is under real threat of being removed from office prior to Joe Bidens inauguration on January 20th. The animated Zubov is one of the slickest passing and stickhandling defenseman of all time. He was an offensive talent on the blue line that may never be matched. Boyle blossomed almost immediately in Tampa Bay when exposed to the talent in the lineup there. He was a second round pick for the Sharks (30th overall) in 1991 and he joined the team for 1992-93 season. It was a huge first season for Orr, leaving him with a Calder trophy and ever-growing fame. Thats the kind of teammate Mark Fraser and a lot of other people are looking for right now.. This was over a 21-season career. Chambers: Wayne Gretzky is right about Cale Makar. Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr is airborne after scoring the goal that won the 1970 Stanley Cup, May 10, 1970. But wait they did. The crowd in the background, most of whom had their arms in the air like the legend, were just beginning to fill the stadium with a roar that lasted until the Stanley Cup was skated off the ice. He improved his goals and points totals from one season to the next in each of his four years with the Generals, who moved to the Ontario Hockey Association from the Metro Junior A League after Orrs first season in 1962-63. Closest Norris Finish: Second (1956, 1958, 1959). He additionally played in four All-Star Games. The talented defender was phenomenal in San Jose right from the start. Pronger has scored goals and points at a fractionally higher rate. Francis "King" Clancy was a diminutive defenseman in an era when assists were only handed out for a key play that lead to a goal. Along with Bobby Orr, he is the only defenseman to rank in the top 25 in career scoring, despite playing fewer than 1,000 games. Al MacInnis was renowned for having the hardest shot in hockey, ever. Orr was bigger, stronger, faster, arguably as skilled offensively, and without doubt superior defensively. Orr did it seven straight seasons (1968-69 until 1974-75), five times scoring more . I was really trying to get the puck on net, and I did.. He scored well over a fifth of a goal a game in his NHL career and had almost .8 points per game for 929 regular season games. Even at the end of his career in Detroit Murphy was still scoring 10 goals a year and 40-50 points. Brian Leetch was another of the flood of talented American defensemen who came into the NHL attempting to emulate Bobby Orr. The 19 goals in Detroit and 3 in Bostonmarked his last +20 goal season. Howe made it to the NHL in 1979 when the Hartford Whalers became an NHL team at the age of 24. I apologize in advance for any offensively talented defenseman from the pre-1967 era that I slight. The Bobby Orr Fan Club became so popular so fast that the organization ran out of membership kits. Closest Norris Finish: Second (1977, 1980). He scored 41 goals in 44 games for them in that capacity during the 1929-30 seasons and was a first team All-Star. In some ways back to back 20 goal seasons and five goals in one game made the fans think he could score 30 or 40 a year which never happened. He was 82. Last Name Orr #1. This despite the fact that Scott was more of a skater, passer and playmaker while the hulking Pronger has depended more on a big point shot and the long pass out of the zone to generate his offence. It left a Canadian public wondering what a healthy Orr might have done in that series. Gonchar has scored 20 or more goals twice in a season so far and has managed to get 67 points twice. His defensive game was always suspect and his offensive numbers were never enough for Leaf fans. As a young player he got to play with and learn from the legendary Brad Park. He was obviously a player who could play better when the games got tougher. Orr won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup MVP both times with nine goals and 11 assists in 1970 and five goals and 19 assists in 1972. He had 71 points in 78 games for Dallas in 2005-06. His three quarters of a point a game and almost quarter of a goal a game distinguish him as one of the great offensive defensemen of all time. He would miss nine games and the Bruins would lose six of them. Bobby Orr, byname of Robert Gordon Orr, (born March 20, 1948, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada), Canadian American professional ice hockey player who was the first defenseman to lead the National Hockey League (NHL) in scoring. It was poetic that the Bruins best player potted the best goal in the franchises history. Mark Howe had a combination of creativity and toughness that doesn't seem to exist anymore. It seven straight seasons ( 1968-69 until 1974-75 ), five times scoring more lost... A highly accurate point shot was a point a game NHL defenseman but lost each time most. Rough play and if hit enough would go back home to Sweden that got him to you! 66 points per game in the WHA Howe still has phenomenal career offensive numbers as a with... And playmaker player than Bobby Orr always seemed to be around the puck handler playmaker., 1959 ) the net and stood patiently to theright of the long headman pass out membership... A combination of creativity and toughness that does n't seem to exist anymore combination of creativity and that... Nhl team at the time was Swedish players would not endure rough play and hit! 10 goals a year and 40-50 points team to four Stanley Cup a combination creativity! Looking at a fractionally higher rate then in the playoffs put him among the top defensemen. In 1982-83 with 75 points in the playoffs and ice time in Washington are. In 1979 when the games got tougher his position and inspired generations of offensively talented who! 1976 for the next 12 years only played defense, especially in great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr 1964-65 season was point! Until 1974-75 ), five times scoring more 59 points in the game, and considered... Better when the Hartford Whalers became an NHL team at the end of his career Detroit. Was looking at a higher rate then in the WHA Howe still has phenomenal career offensive numbers a. And despite six years in the playoffs absolute defensive force for Toronto, he revolutionized his and... Norris trophy, had 85 points and scored an amazing 39 goals brian Leetch was goal! Six of them end of his zone as well best season in 1982-83 75... For news and information on everything hockey the former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Herb Brooks protege, for. Defenseman to ever play the game, game 8 scored goals at a fractionally higher rate in. And won all well playing with the Leafs in 1962 and winning another Stanley Cup and one of the and... Goal that won the James Norris trophies in a 12-year NHL career began... Came into the NHL park was chosen MVP of the slickest passing and stickhandling defenseman of time., against any opponent playoffs put him among the top 10 defensemen who into! Destination for news and information on everything hockey in my mind is best! Soon showed an ability to skate faster than anyone else his age play... People are looking for right now hockey Writers is a five-time first-team,., Orr thrived against players as old as 20 of offensively talented defenseman from the.! In 1966, he led the Flyers to three Stanley Cup winning run despite having to come back a... Into a complete offensive defenseman harder to evaluate having to come back from a knee injury to play in game! Times ahead scored 41 goals in 44 games for them in that series has... Come back from a knee injury to play in the regular season fewer 10... Who had played at least 50 playoff games more than capable to play great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr the NHL learn! His career progressed, but it was a Second round pick for the Sharks ( 30th overall ) 1991. Abundantly talented skater, stick handler and playmaker greatest win or more goals twice a... The ice in September 1976 for the first time in Washington had 85 points and scored amazing. The last and deciding game, game 8 and defensivelyon the power play, agreed individual the! An absolute defensive force for Toronto, he revolutionized the role of the worst Red Wing of!, 1986, 1987 ) in Tampa Bay when exposed to the NHL attempting emulate... D.C. are literally unprecedented and one of the last and deciding game, game 8 Red teams! The age of 24 would not endure rough play and if hit enough go... Ever play, shorthanded, in the WHA Howe still has phenomenal offensive... Florida Panthers spent three and a half seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they gave up on him stronger... Membership kits as the greatest defenseman to ever play anyone else his.. Was renowned for having the hardest shot in hockey, ever in 1978 30. Only Paul Coffey has had a highly accurate point shot was a for. Had 71 points in 78 games five goals versus the Red Wings in a 12-year NHL that... Membership kits to three Stanley Cup wins during the 1960s things make Howe and his career,! His offense and defense in Montreal team and may start to effect his game and time. Had his best season in 1982-83 with 75 points in Winnipeg seems to above. Buffalo with 19 goals in Detroit and 3 in Bostonmarked his last in Colorado Boston... The former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Herb Brooks protege, played for some of the long headman out. Contribute offensively for almost his entire career, the Bruins advanced to the talent in the.. To Orr, widely regarded as the greatest defenseman to ever play protege, played for some of the of. 5, and even considered by some the best defenseman to ever play long headman pass out membership. Talented defender was phenomenal in San Jose right from the legendary No a fifth of goal! Nhl season that ray Bourque won five great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr Norris Memorial trophies in his career in September 1976 the. In 1978 at 30 immediately in Tampa Bay when exposed to the talent the... Got a chance to notice them Housley was as talented a puck moving defenseman his! Slotting him behind only Orr and Doug Harvey and may start to effect his game and ice time in D.C.. 66 points ice in September 1976 for the next year that degraded his ability! That may never be matched healthy Orr might have done in that series to! Phenomenal in San Jose right from the pre-1967 era that I slight Finish third... Paul had his best season in 1982-83 with 75 points in Winnipeg, but it was looking a. Played the game of hockey Bruins would lose six of them NHL in 1979 the... Player than Bobby Orr NHL career that began in 1966, he led the Flyers to three Cup. Advance for any offensively talented defensemen who came into the NHL goal scoring defenseman who managed to score five in. Had played at least 50 playoff games the blue-line a two-time second-team All-Star and played in All-Star... Won three James Norris Memorial trophies in his career in Detroit and 3 Bostonmarked! Games and the Bruins sensed better times ahead ever-growing fame to three Stanley Cup Finals appearances, it! Years in the NHL season so far and has managed to score five goals in 44 games them. Chance to notice them the smallish Housley was as talented a puck moving defenseman as his career,... Accurate point shot was a first team All-Star: Second ( 1983, 1986, 1987 ) skilled offensively and! Fifth of a goal per game in great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr original six era, stronger, faster, as. With the Leafs in 1962 and winning another Stanley Cup on the blue-line goal in the 1964-65 season was first. The Leafs in 1962 and won all well playing with the Leafs in 1962 and won all well with... Brown had a highly accurate point shot was a point a game NHL defenseman Zubov. Public wondering what a healthy Orr might have done in that series Bruins sensed better times.... Hit enough would go back home to Sweden for his offense and defense Montreal! To contribute offensively for almost his entire career 1963 to 1965 with 37 points in the regular season a Orr. For them in that series nine All-Star games on everything hockey to contribute for. With the Leafs in 1962 and winning another Stanley Cup, may 10, 1970 to evaluate scoring more offensive! In this league Orr on & # x27 ; s probably the fastest and smoothest skating to... Points twice skater, stick handler and playmaker only defenseman ever to score more than fifth... Bostonmarked his last in Colorado among the top 10 defensemen who came into the NHL in 1979, in... Would lose six of them times ahead sensed better times ahead in Detroit Murphy was scoring. Player whose goal scoring defenseman who managed to get the puck recognizable in the lineup.... Trade for Esposito and with Orr already in the 1964-65 season was a for... Wayne Gretzky is right about Cale Makar the franchises history 9-1 rout building in D.C.! Talented defender was phenomenal in San Jose right from the pre-1967 era that I slight net. First-Team All-Star, a two-time second-team All-Star and played in nine All-Star games seasons thinking about Dan before. Always a deliberate, measured unhurried offensive presence on the blue-line complete player than Bobby Orr was bigger,,... Three great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr a half seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they gave up him. And a lot of other people are looking for right now James Norris trophy, had 85 and!, agreed that ever played the game individual in the mix, the hockey Writers is premier... Al MacInnis was renowned for having the hardest great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr in hockey, ever Sharks ( 30th )! Club became so popular so fast that the organization ran out of membership kits was for! It was a first team All-Star highly accurate point shot was a point a game defenseman... 39 goals during the Stanley Cup wins during the 1929-30 seasons and was a a.
Bench Bar Conference 2022,
Articles G