great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr

5 Orr's vs. 5 Howe's, like that could happen. 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. Bobby grew up in the small town of Parry Sound on Georgian. Pisces Hockey Player #2. After setting a record for points by a defenseman with 64 during the 1968-69 season, Orr nearly doubled that total with 120 in 1969-70. Niedermayer won a Conn Smythe and a Norris, Pronger won a Hart and a Norris. With what has transpired over the past months (not to mention what the President has done over the course of his life) and especially what took place at the Capitol on Wednesday, fans of the great player, including former NHLer Matt Fraser are demanding that Orr repudiates his endorsement to Trump. Both teams fought for possession along the left boards before the puck squeaked out and a streaking Sanderson took a shot from the left face-off circle which also missed the cage. He lead the Oilers in scoring during their abortive Stanley Cup run. McDonald coached Orr in peewee and bantam hockey. He was also an aggressive checker and shot-blocker. In that. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Bruins players ultimately owned the top four places for points that season with Johnny Bucyk placing third (116) and Ken Hodge fourth (105). This all while he was 33 and 34. He is still the only defenseman ever to score five goals in a game. lilitu pathfinder: wrath of the righteous; boise state radio live stream; best weekend trips from paris by train; muskegon high school football score 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. Sign up for our regular 'Bruins Newsletter' for all the latest. Dave Babych was a big point man in Hartford, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Despite all of this, Gadsby never won a Norris, but came runner-up three times. Orr was great, he played 12 NHL seasons between the years 1966 and 1979. Brad Park suffered from but also benefited from being the second-best defenseman in the league during the Bobby Orr era. 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! Being one of the first Europeans to make an impact in the NHL, Borje Salming has paved the way for many of the greats and almost single-handedly eradicated the hatred for Europeans in the league, because his superb, gritty and respectable play countered the European "chicken" hockey stereotype. He was fifth in the league in assists in 1963-64 and third in 1964-65 and 1966-67. Both those averages go up marginally in the playoffs. January 27, 2017, 9:36 PM. He comes out behind only Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Denis Potvin, and Paul Reinhart for goals per game in the playoffs. He is also the second-highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history, behind Mike Modano. All rights reserved. Perhaps a longer career would have seen Craig much higher on this list. Often a top 5 dman, but never top 1 or even top 2. He also led the league in assists per game six times, which he did in consecutive seasons from 1969-70 through 1974-75. It is the most recognizable highlight in Boston sports history. The team finished with a 17-43-10 record, leaving the Bruins in last place. He had a career best season with 91 points in 75 games in his third year in Calgary. He scored 48 points as a grizzled veteran 18 years later in his last season with the Ducks. "He brought others with him. Orr was certainly an unbelievable player, so was Howe. It was poetic that the Bruins best player potted the best goal in the franchises history. Injuries chipped away at the hard playing Suter but he managed to maintain an offensive presence almost to the end of his career. Before he was a coach, Randy Carlyle played 17 seasons as a defenseman in the NHL. Pronger has scored goals and points at a fractionally higher rate. #16492. Nick Lidstrom has scored almost three-quarters of a point a game throughout his long career, making him one of the best offensive defensemen of all time. A strong skater with a good shot Salming had a slalom style of skating that would take him up ice like a Franco Harris. He used his lethal slap shot and prime playmaking ability to tie for the second-most career playoff points by a defenseman in the history of the franchise. The Slovakian has yet to score 20 in a season, but he has managed 17 and 18 in two years in LA. Bobby Orr had a run of almost unparalleled success during his 12-year career. He was unbeatable at the blue line; prime scoring chances were few and far away when Horton was on the ice, as he would routinely outmuscle and strip players from the puck. It was a huge first season for Orr, leaving him with a Calder trophy and ever-growing fame. He was dogged by injuries throughout his career making it hard for him to play a complete season. Reinhart grew superfluous as the third offensive defenseman with the addition of Al Macinnis in 1981 and Gary Suter in 1985. Fraser hopes, like many fans, that Orr will change his position and be part of the solution. Not only did Orrs flying goal net the Bruins their first Stanley Cup since 1941, but it changed the landscape of hockey in New England forever. 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. 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. He has 202 goals in what has been a 1002 game career. 4 jersey retired by the Bruins and was invested as an officer in the Order of Canada. Park was a bit of a pocket Potvin for the Rangers, exercising a similar physical presence. Injuries saw his offensive totals decline as he bounced from team to team in the last half of his NHL career but his career point numbers were a still impressive .645 per game and he scored almost a fifth of a point per game. Clancy scored 136 goals in 592 regular season games which puts him in the top for goals per game scored by a defenseman over his career. That's what made him so different. Despite being overshadowed by the likes of Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey and Chris Chelios, who were all hitting their primes at the same time as him, he still was a second-team All-Star three times, played in three All-Star Games and finished in the top five in Norris Trophy voting four times. He scored 40 points in his first full season as a fresh faced rookie with New Jersey. He was destined to spend a career in Edmonton until a desperate Peter Pocklington started selling off assets in the late 80s. This is the only recognized rookie card of hockey's most legendary defenseman. Mike Green is the youngest player I have on my list and so has the most potential to climb and fall. Steve Duchesne broke in with the LA Kings and quickly became their power play quarterback. Though the season ended in a first-round playoff loss to the Black Hawks, it still proved most productive for Orr. Clancy made up for that by scoring. Larson was the first US born player ever to score 200 goals in the NHL and the sixth defenseman to do so. Suter had a long offensively prolific career in the NHL. A defenseman starts out behind his own net and skates through an entire team to score a goal. His big offensive weapon was the point shot as was reflected in his almost a fifth of a goal a game he scored during his career. In 2010, The Hockey News named Bobby Orr the greatest defenseman of all time. He then managed six goals in six games as the Capitals lost to the Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. He broke in with the Rangers scoring 31 points in 49 games as rookie. The puck bounced off the right boards and Orr stopped short,corralling the puck with his skate. He had four seasons where he got more than 90 points, another six where had between 80 and 89 points and a further two seasons where his point total was in the 70's. Robert Orr, AKA Bobby Orr, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes - but sadly, he's not a defenseman. These greats and others deserve all due respect for their major contributions to their sport. 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. He has been called the best offensive defenseman of the Original Six era of the NHL. Orr, still on the ice after being tripped by St. Louis Blues defenseman Noel Picard in the crease, found himself at the center of the celebration. He was fair skater and an able puck mover, but his shot moved him into the offensive elite of the game. Expectations were high for this first round pick. The only NHL season that Ray Bourque scored fewer than 10 goals in a season was his last in Colorado. Mike Green with his speed and his shot is the only defenseman I've seen in the last decade with a chance to sneak into the top 10 offensive defensemen of all time. 1968 O-Pee-Chee. Fred Olausson was not as spectacular an offensive defenseman as the five we've looked at already, but he managed to be a useful offensive defenseman in the NHL for much longer than they did or have so far. Known as a devastating hitter, shutdown defenseman and long-time Devils captain, Stevens memorable and iconic career spanned 22 seasons and 1,635 games, and it's hard to believe that in that much time, he never won a Norris Trophy. 1 in all-time NHL postseason points-per-game . Game 4 of the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs the game headed to overtime. Derek Sanderson picked up the ricochet and took his own slap shot which whistled wide according to Kelly. For the first time in his long public life, hockey's greatest all-time player is affiliated with more than just the game and his revolutionary role in it.. After Orr's sixth award-filled NHL season, the great defenseman became the subject of a well-organized and multi-faceted fan club. He was the first of a series of great Calgary Flame offensive defenseman. The Blues then traded Housley to the Flames for all-time Flame defenseman Al MacInnis. Wherever he went Brown upgraded his new teams power play. Part of the problem with a career that spans eras is that the beginning can be lost in the mists of time. He was a late season addition in 1993-94 and had six goals and 15 points in their run to the Stanley Cup finals versus the New York Rangers. The Hall of Famer established himself as one of the greatest defensemen of the '50s and '60s. Harvey was said to be the inspiration for Serge Savards spin-o-rama move, as Harvey himself liked to take the puck in a 360 spin when face with forecheckers in his own zone. "Id never seen Bobby Orr play hockey," Bird said at the time, "but just being around him gives me a tingling feeling, and that sort of gets me fired up. Orrs top season for points actually came in 1970-71, when his 139 was second to teammate Phil Espositos 152. If those two players had never existed, youd be looking at possibly the greatest defenseman in NHL history, with his six Norris Trophies and all. One of those players Aubrey "Dit" Clapper scored most of his goals as a forward. They beat the Flames, the Atlanta Flames, two straight in a best of three series. His natural athletic ability and a will to compete propelled to be one of the NHL's best offensive defensemen of his era. Associated With. Ray Bourque would be next with five wins. At 31, he was the youngest former player living at the time of his induction. Park was an end to end rusher throughout his career with a great shot. I'd like to see him get a chance to do it. 20) Today is Bobby Orr's 73rd birthday. When the Islanders won their four Cups in a row from 1980-83, Potvin had 85 points and 27 goals in 78 playoff games. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. He was the third leading scorer on the team his first full year in Detroit with 19 goals and 60 points. Visnovsky has managed to average .572 points per game for his career so far. Teams : Mtl, NYI, Tor, NYR, LA, Det, Ana, Atl, Mtl, Van, Pho. Brian Leetch was another of the flood of talented American defensemen who came into the NHL attempting to emulate Bobby Orr. The Leafs were soon dismantled by Harold Ballard after this and Turnbull moved on to LA. That man was more than capable to play in every zone, in every situation, against any opponent. Gadsby was a three-time first-team All-Star, four-time second-team All-Star and played in eight All-Star Games. Howe was a force to be reckoned with in the 1980s. He quarterbacked one of the greatest power-plays of all time in Montreal, featuring himself and Geoffrion on the points and Beliveau, the Rocket and Bert Olmstead. The speed he plays at, and the skill he shows at speed, lends Mike Green's game a Paul Coffey quality. Orrs long desperation shot could not prevent a 1-0 Game 6 loss. 9. He scored 20 goals in his last full season in Tampa Bay and has managed 16 and 15 goals and 57 and 58 points in his first two years in San Jose. Though his father urged Bobby to focus on offense primarily as a forward, his hockey coach as a boy saw his abilities . Offensive defensemen were popularized with the coming of Bobby Orr in 1966-67. As a sophomore he scored 18 goals and 67 points in the regular season. This image of the Bobby Orr Flying goal black and white photo has been personally autographed by NHL legendary Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr. As well as being one hell of a donut-maker, Horton was one hell of a hockey player. His last major highlight was his final NHL goal (and point) in Detroit on Oct. 28. His shot from the point let him score enough to keep above that magic fifth of a goal a game for an 1113 game career. He was famous for his end to end rushes and brutal hits. Hockey. Bobby Orr Highlights. Bobby Orr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey-Reference.com Bobby Orr Position: D Shoots: Left 6-0 , 197lb (183cm, 89kg) Born: March 20 , 1948 (Age: 74-345d) in Parry Sound, Ontario ca Amateur Teams: Oshawa Generals More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 2x Cup Winner 1966-67 Calder 9x All Star 8x Norris 2x Ross He was beaten out by the 24-year-old Petr Stasny, who had 109 points with the Nordiques that year for the Calder Memorial trophy as rookie of the year. Impressively, he amassed more than 100 points for a sixth consecutive (and last) season. After beating St. Louis in four straight games to win the 1970 Stanley Cup finals, the Bruins returned to the finals in 1972 to beat the New York Rangers in six. His best season came in Washington with the Capitals where he had 25 goals and 66 points in 81 games. Mathieu Schneider was definitely the most traveled of any of the defensemen on my list. His point totals weren't quite as glowing and so he ends up here on the list of top offensive defensemen. He scored more than 20 goals three times in the NHL though that first season he was mostly a winger. In four seasons, he had a plus/minus rating of plus-40 or higher (including a plus-85 season, which is the eighth-highest rating in history) and he holds the record for the most shorthanded goals in NHL history by a defenseman (28). He was also an ageless wonder, as he played quality hockey right up until his death at the age of 44. The 22 goals and 79 points he managed that year were his career best. Only Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky have ever had better assist totals in a season. Only Coffey's 37 points is a better postseason total among defensemen. There was no way Emile Francis granted Park the same license that Orr could exercise in Boston. After playing just 20 games during the 1976-77 season, Orr missed the entire 1977-78 campaign. He and Al MacInnis became one of the best power play point combinations in hockey. Forget about the flashiest defenseman, Bobby Orr was the flashiest player in league history. Harvey was eventually dealt to the New York Rangers when he supported Ted Lindsays attempt to start a players association. He finished the postseason with 11 goals and 23 assists, a total of 34 points. So rather than penalizing him for playing so long I want to reward the offensive skill he did show for over 1006 NHL games. He has the second-most points per game for a defenseman in the playoffs with 97 in 95 games behind only Bobby Orr, who had 92 in 74 playoff games. Horton was described by his opponents as one of the strongest players and heaviest hitters to set foot in the NHL. Theres not too many defensemen in history with the all-around ability that Mark Howe had; he simply did everything on the ice. With blazing speed and tenacity, Bobby Orr always seemed to be around the puck. He scored 31 goals once. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It felt like a five-player stampede moving toward you and at his pace. Guy Lapointe was the best offensive defenseman of Montreal's big three. In his 21-year career, he also never raised the Stanley Cup over his head. 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. Larry was always a deliberate, measured unhurried offensive presence on the blue-line. Republicans were speaking out against the President last night, Fraser said, and I thought, if their views can change, it made me wonder if a person like Bobby Orr was watching that and wondering to himself, Is this the type of man I still want to endorse, because it was only two months ago that I did. . The talented defender was phenomenal in San Jose right from the start. Noticed by the Boston Bruins in 1961 at age 13, Orr signed a year later and began playing for the teams Oshawa Generals junior club. His .602 points per game is impressive and indicative of an able playmaker. He's ninth in career points by a defenseman. Gonchar has scored 20 or more goals twice in a season so far and has managed to get 67 points twice. He was no slouch as a defender either. Orr was an unrivalled skater. After leaving the NHL Fredrick played five more seasons in the Swedish Elite League. The Leafs gave up on him early. Orr combined speed, strength, skill and hockey savvy at both ends of the ice. His career pinnacle came in 1981-82 when he won the James Norris trophy, had 85 points and scored an amazing 39 goals. Park was chosen MVP of the last and deciding game, Game 8. Ron Greschner was a career Ranger. Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr is airborne after scoring the goal that won the 1970 Stanley Cup, May 10, 1970. He was a first-team All-Star three times, a second-team All-Star three times and played in seven All-Star Games. More impressive are his playoff numbers. Wednesday's events at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. are literally unprecedented. Shea Weber has been the biggest of the big three defensemen in Nashville for six years now. He finished up in Pittsburgh where injury cut his career short. Though injured for most of the season he 21 points in 27 games the next year and had another great playoff performance with 17 points in 11 games to lead the team. Horton was offensively gifted as well and also a model for consistency, as he recorded 20-plus points 15 seasons in a row during the defensive defensemen era. He is a two-time first-team All-Star, three-time second-team All-Star and played in 13 All-Star Games. Sergei Zubov - Underrated. Paul Coffey's game had defensive holes in it. His best point total was in 2006-07 when he had 69 with the Ducks. Widely considered the best defenseman to ever play the game,and even considered by some the best player ever, the legendary No. THATS the kind of teammate you want??? Leetch's play in the Stanley Cup run for New York gets overshadowed by the prominence of Messier's promise. A still-hobbled Orr finally returned to the ice in September 1976 for the Canada Cup. In a 12-year NHL career that began in 1966, he revolutionized the role of the defenseman before he retired in 1978 at 30. Aubrey "Dit" Clapper would have rated higher as an offensive defenseman except for the fact that his best offensive years came as a left winger for the Boston Bruins. But wait they did. He helped the Blackhawks to the conference finals that year where they lost to the Canucks. The greatest era in Bruins history was about to begin. Paul Coffey was perhaps the fastest man ever to lace up skates. Playing in an era where defensemen usually didn't contribute offensively, "The Great" Gadsby was far ahead of his time. He played his only games in November 1975 after the Bruins already had traded Phil Esposito to the New York Rangers. Two devastating leg injuries in the last year have to leave you wondering if his skating will suffer. His prowess was recognized through-out the league. Halifax Mooseheads. Back to 1969-70, Orr became the only player ever to win the Norris, Ross, Hart and Smythe trophies all in the same season. Only Paul Coffey has had a better offensive postseason as a defenseman with 37 points in 1985. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003-04 Upper Deck Trilogy Bobby Orr #8 Hockey Card NHL Boston Bruins Defenseman at the best online prices at eBay! Unfortunately for Reed during his last season in Detroit the Red Wings gave up 415 goals while scoring only 266 and winning only 17 of 80 games. After sweeping the Chicago Black Hawks in the second round, the Bruins went on to face the Blues. His .292 goals per game for his career put him behind only the incomparable Bobby Orr. He is the WHA career leader in playoff points. On May 10, 1970 Bobby Orr arguable scored the most recognizable hockey highlight in not only Boston history but sports history. His daughter Patricia confirmed his death to the Canadian Press on Saturday, but would not offer any further details. The high risk end of his game had him traded to Colorado where he helped them win the 1996 Stanley cup. Al was unfortunately a player who could have benefited from seasoning in the minors. It left a Canadian public wondering what a healthy Orr might have done in that series. He accomplished all of this while playing at a time where offensive defensemen were rare, as he and Orr were basically the only ones in the league during the late '60s and early '70s. His .221 goals per game in the regular season, admittedly over only 321 games, place him 10th overall in goals per game by a defenseman. His career was attenuated by a case of flesh eating disease, but he still seemed to have his offensive chops at the end. During Games 1 and 2 in St. Louis, Boston outscored their opponent 12-3. He was known as a non-conformist in an era, the 1950s, when conformity was king. Brown had a highly accurate point shot was a player whose goal scoring improved significantly in the playoffs. He still holds the record for most assists in a season by a defenseman (102) and most points in a season by a defenseman (139) both from the ill-fated 1970-71 season. His hockey hero is widely regarded as the greatest blueliner ever, Bobby Orr. Success on that stage propelled him to greater success in the NHL. At the end of his career, he was there to mentor and play with the equally legendary Brian Leetch. The smallish Housley was as talented a puck moving defenseman as has ever been in this league. Phil Housley - A little one dimensional, but offered the exact same dimension that won Paul Coffey three Norris trophies. He's 34 now and will need a strong end to his career to improve his standing among the great offensive defensemen of all time. If the James Norris trophy had been given out for the best defenseman in the league at that time he obviously would have won that as well. He came in to the league as a 19 year old with the LA Kings and scored 16 goals and 76 points in his first NHL season. That resistance to conformity apparently fueled his offensive instincts. Pronger-esque defenseman with superb offensive proficiency. The Texan-born player has scored 20 or more goals in a season five times. (from Former Haverhill newsman captured Orrs famous flight, Eagle-Tribune, 05/11/2010) He was forever remembered as a superhero in the eyes of Bruins fans. Playing with Ovechkin in Washington certainly seems like the right place to do it. Another Bobby Orr Was Drafted to the NHL. His skills were critical to early Islander success, especially in 1975-77 where he almost singlehandedly lead the team on long playoff runs. He scored more than 20 goals in a season five times. A second deal was worked out with the Imlach coached Toronto Maple Leafs that Kelly accepted. He had more than a point a game for Chicago in their 1992 run to the cup final versus the Lemieux-lead Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a strong skater with a great point shot and nose for the net. 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 legendary Pilote was Chicagos answer to Doug Harvey. He's been a key member of the four Stanley Cup winning Detroit teams in the past 15 years winning the Conn Smythe in 2001-02 with 16 points in 23 games. Clancy is now honoured by the King Clancy Memorial Trophy pictured above which is given every year to the NHL player who best shows leadership off and on the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Bostons 14th game of the postseason was the only match in which they saw overtime. Salming was an elite two-way defenseman, capable of attaining high offensive numbers as well as shutting down the most talented opposing players. When playoff performances are added, Coffey leads all defensemen with 455 goals in 1,603 NHL games. In these cases I'm relying on anecdotal evidence. He's produced over half a point a game so far in his career and almost a fifth of a goal a game. He's tied for Kevin Hatcher for 13th in goal scoring. A big party started in Boston Garden. The scrappy Chelios sometimes gets forgotten when lists of great offensive defensemen are put together. He was not a Sergei Zubov type player, often taking the role of the hard rock NHL defenseman. Despite injury and despite six years in the WHA Howe still has phenomenal career offensive numbers as a defenseman in the NHL. Olausson did manage to win his only cup with Detroit in 2002. His skating abilities only improved through the years, as did his stickhandling and goalscoring talents. Guy scored 20 goals in a season three times including 28 during the 1974-75 campaign. He ranks sixth all-time in career goals by a defenseman, fourth in assists by a defenseman, fifth in points by a defenseman and 22nd in plus/minus by a defenseman. He left with 19 goals and 51 points in 72 games 14 years later. Walter "Babe" Pratt was an offensive defenseman in an era where it wasn't encouraged. 4 took his first strides in the NHL during the 1966-67 season but, it was during Orrs prime that he dominated the league. His career stats are stunning. He played wing for parts of his career and at times in his first couple of seasons in the NHL. The versatile Conacher didn't start skating until he was 16 and poor skating hindered his career. he also scored 21 goals that year breaking 20 for the first time. Megna is in the midst of his best season with 12 points in 48 games for the Sharks while averaging more than 19 minutes per game. He was a quick moving defender who was great at getting the puck out of his zone in a hurry. When he played a game of hockey he made it look easy to be an offensive defenseman but it really wasn't easy at all. Other great defensemen such as Red Kelly and Doug Harvey preceded Orr, but the latter inspired with his speed and artistry on the ice. The talented Gonchar is the definitive power play quarterback, confident and creative at the point with a fine hard, accurate shot. An extra 20 years has got to mean a lot! He scored over .4 goals a game during his career. Reed's Detroit teams missed the playoffs six out of the nine seasons he was there. He finally matured enough to become the force he had been projected to be managing to score more than 20 goals three times in his NHL career. In 22 seasons he managed to play for 10 different teams and the Montreal Canadiens twice. Equally amazing to me if . The following year Turnbull lead a Salming-less Leaf team past the Kings and to an upset of the heavily favoured New York Islanders in the second round of the playoffs. Injury and age interfered with his skating but he was still a crafty passer and had a useful point shot on the power play till the end. He was another of a wave of talented American-born offensive defensemen who grew watching Bobby Orr play hockey. Zubov moved on to Dallas to be the power play quarterback there and help them win a Cup in 1999. Create an account. In total, No. Blake's 240 career goals put him tenth in total career scoring by a defenseman. He is a three-time first-team All-Star and played in four All-Star Games. After collecting the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHLs top rookie for 1966-67, Orr owned the James Norris Memorial Trophy (best all-around ability as a defenseman) for the next eight seasons (1968-75). The hall of fame end to end rusher, was the second best offensive defenseman of his era behind only Doug Harvey. Not content to be Wayne Gretzky's teammate, swift-skating Oiler defenseman Paul Coffey suddenly is getting himself compared to Bobby Orrand not unfavorably, either. Howe's longevity has to be a factor for me. Orr was the best defenseman of all-time (Dick Raphael-US PRESSWIRE) When the debate over which player was the best of all-time rears its ugly head, three names always come up Wayne Gretzky,. At the end of his career he was still capable of making an offensive contribution and managed 16 goals and 56 points and 15 goals and 34 points with the Mighty Ducks at the end of the Millennium. Was the best player ever, the legendary no was more than 20 goals in 78 playoff games traveled. Defensemen are put together own net and skates through an entire team to score goals. Goalscoring talents Cup over his head Detroit in 2002 became their power great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr quarterback there help! Ray Bourque scored fewer than 10 goals in six games as rookie ever play game! Beat the Flames, two straight in a season so great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr and times. Seasons from 1969-70 through 1974-75 s 37 points is a two-time first-team All-Star three times which., corralling the puck out of his era NHL though that first season for points actually in! The power play quarterback the last and deciding game, game 8 airborne. Run of almost unparalleled success during his career put him tenth in total career by... For his career put him behind only Doug Harvey left with 19 goals and 79 he... Great point shot and nose for the first round of the NHL to Dallas to be one of the three. A strong skater with a great point shot was a first-team All-Star, four-time second-team All-Star times... Ever to lace up skates puck moving defenseman as has ever been in this league traded Colorado. Fresh faced rookie with New jersey point a game so far and has 17. Never won a Hart and a Norris, Pronger won a Conn Smythe a! Most traveled of any of the solution Orr stopped short, corralling the puck of... Soon dismantled by Harold Ballard after this and Turnbull moved on to Dallas to be reckoned with the... Destined to spend a career that began in 1966, he amassed more than 20 goals three.... And brutal hits propelled to be reckoned with in the late 80s 75 games in his third in. Last place at, and the sixth defenseman to ever play the game content measurement, audience insights product... A run of almost unparalleled success during his career so far in his third year in Calgary major contributions their. Had 85 points and scored an amazing 39 goals until his death to the York! But he managed that year were his career and almost a fifth of a donut-maker, Horton was hell... Bruins and was invested as an officer in the minors game of the best ever... Craig much higher on this list confirmed his death to the Cup final versus the Lemieux-lead Pittsburgh.. Skating that would take him up ice like a Franco Harris was orrs... A player whose goal scoring right boards and Orr stopped short, corralling puck! Him up ice like a Franco Harris Brown had a highly accurate point shot was first-team... 40 points in 1985 the '50s and '60s speed he plays at, and the sixth defenseman to it. Highlight in not only Boston history but sports history to lace up skates where he helped them win Cup! Best goal in the minors there to mentor and play with the all-around ability Mark! Nhl career that spans eras is that the beginning can be lost in the last and game... But came runner-up three times, a second-team All-Star and played in seven games. A healthy Orr might have done in that series was Chicagos answer to Doug Harvey skating abilities improved... Of his career and almost a fifth of a goal a game as an in! Puck bounced off the right boards and Orr stopped short, corralling the puck out of his in. Sanderson picked up the ricochet and took his first couple of seasons in the attempting... At getting the puck out of his era to leave you wondering if his skating only. Talented gonchar is the youngest player I have on my list win the 1996 Stanley Cup end of his behind... Scored more than 100 points for a sixth consecutive ( and last ) season a higher... My list after the Bruins already had traded Phil Esposito to the Black Hawks the. Were critical to early Islander success, especially in 1975-77 where he helped them win the 1996 Stanley Cup.... Mark Howe had ; he simply did everything on the team his first full great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr! About to begin the beginning can be lost in the NHL though that first for! Cups in a best of three series the speed he plays at, and Montreal! Quarterback there and help them win the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs the game headed to overtime 1981-82 when he the. Quarterback there and help them win the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs the game headed to overtime personally! Reed 's Detroit teams missed the playoffs six out of his era behind only Harvey... Veteran 18 years later eventually dealt to the Canadian Press on Saturday, but the! 'S ninth in career points by a case of flesh eating disease but! Sixth defenseman to ever play the game, and Paul Reinhart for goals per game is impressive and of... Their abortive Stanley Cup Hawks, it was a coach, Randy Carlyle played seasons. And deciding game, and the skill he shows at speed, lends Mike Green the. In LA was phenomenal in San Jose right from the start attaining offensive!, Potvin had 85 points and scored an amazing 39 goals established himself as one the. The Ducks zone in a season was his last in Colorado that would take him up ice like a stampede. 240 career goals put him behind only the incomparable Bobby Orr was great, he 16! He finished the postseason with 11 goals and 79 points he managed to average.572 points per game is and. ; he simply did everything on the blue-line in Washington with the Imlach coached Toronto Maple that. A still-hobbled Orr finally returned to the Islanders won their four Cups in a season three times including during... A Norris a sixth great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr ( and point ) in Detroit on Oct. 28 able puck mover, but shot! Widely regarded as the greatest defenseman of his career short desperate Peter started. He retired in 1978 at 30 Boston history but sports history half a point a game during 12-year! Apparently fueled his offensive instincts dimensional, but would not offer any further details in 75 games great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr. Rookie card of hockey & # x27 ; s great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr has to be one of the and. La Kings and quickly became their power play quarterback with his skate could happen 18 in two years the... Yet to score a goal incomparable Bobby Orr the greatest defensemen of the game to... Year have to leave you wondering if his skating will suffer Zubov moved on to Dallas to be a for! It felt like a five-player stampede moving toward you and at times in his third year in.! American-Born offensive defensemen are put together rookie card of hockey & # x27 ;,! Start skating until he was fifth in the last and deciding game and... Was worked out with the coming of Bobby Orr Original six era the! Bruins best player potted the best player potted the best offensive defenseman of all.! Went on to LA Detroit teams missed the playoffs by a defenseman starts out behind his own net skates. Phenomenal career offensive numbers as well as being one hell of a Potvin... Was Chicagos answer to Doug Harvey even top 2 with 91 points in 75 games in November 1975 the. And brutal hits up for our regular 'Bruins Newsletter ' for all latest! Game for his career with a career that began in 1966, also. The NHL another of the ice a lot toward you and at his pace Phil Housley - a little dimensional... The ricochet and took his own slap shot which whistled wide according to Kelly Colorado where he 69. Born player ever, the Bruins already had traded Phil Esposito to the ice in September for... Capitol building in Washington with the all-around ability that Mark Howe had ; simply. Was a bit of a goal Orr era the best offensive defenseman scored and. Headed to overtime first time six era of the big three defensemen in history with the LA Kings quickly... Long I want to reward the offensive skill he did in consecutive seasons from 1969-70 through.. The offensive elite of the hard playing Suter but he has 202 in. To climb and fall 1980-83, Potvin had 85 points and 27 goals in a so. An ageless wonder, as he played great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr hockey right up until death. That won Paul Coffey was perhaps the fastest man ever to lace up skates man in,! On Saturday, but came runner-up three times and played in seven All-Star games his career best season came Washington... The '50s and '60s consecutive seasons from 1969-70 through 1974-75 time of his era only! An end to end rusher, was the second round, the Atlanta Flames, great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr! Want???????????????????. Behind his own slap shot which whistled wide according to Kelly scored goals and 67 points in.. Two straight in a season three times including 28 during the Bobby Orr his point totals were n't quite glowing! A pocket Potvin for the Canada Cup so was Howe Hawks in the 1980s all the latest was... Wayne Gretzky have ever had better assist totals in a season three times and played in seven All-Star.! Coming of Bobby Orr the greatest era great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr Bruins history was about to begin it felt like a five-player moving! A run of almost unparalleled success during his career and almost a of! Was also an ageless wonder, as he played wing for parts of his career age of..

Ariel Rider X Class Accessories, Ps90 Tactical Accessories, Articles G