Who was the better player: Bobby Orr or Wayne Grretzky?

Question

Orr redefined the position of defenceman, opening up the game to later talents such as Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey. His skill and grace on the ice were phenomenal to watch and he could control the tempo of the game like no other player.

Gretzky, on the other hand, had an undefinable quality that made him almost impossible to defend against. He made everyone on his team a better player by both his skillful use of them in offensive situations and by his dedication and hard work that inspired the same in teammates.

Answer 1

Bobby Orr as simple as that. Gretz well holds lots or almost all records for points. Gretz got points with whatever team he played. Orr was cut short by a bum knee. Two players were great to watch but Orr was the better to watch play.

Answer 2

Did Gretzky make his teammates better? Yes, but it also helped that he had amazing teammates (Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Anderson). The Oilers were so stacked versus the competition, they won a fifth Cup two years after Gretzky left for LA! The 80s Oiler teams competed in an NHL that was going through major expansion and a merger with the WHA ... talent was lacking, Europe and Russia had not yet been significantly tapped for talent ... there were a lot of bad teams around in the 80s (anyone remember Wayne's comment that New Jersey was a Mickey Mouse franchise?).

In Boston, Orr had very decent teammates (Esposito, Cashman, Bucyk, Hodge), but they were not nearly as good as what Gretzky had.

An interesting stat to look at is when a new record was set by Orr and by Gretzky, by how much did they beat the old record. When Gretzky set the single season goal record at 92 goals, the old record was 76, meaning the new record was 21% better than the old record. When Orr set the single season goal record for defensemen, he scored 46 goals, the old record was 24, meaning the new record was 92% better.

In assists, it is similar, Gretzky beat the old record by 60% (163 versus 102), but Orr beat it by 96% when he set the assist record (102 versus 52).

In summary, Orr's record setting feats were more impressive.

Gretzky's numbers were put up during an era of inflated scoring in the NHL. And Gretzky was a forward, versus Orr being a defenseman. My point is that it is important to not get all blown away by the large magnitude of Gretzky's stats. These men played different positions, and played in different eras.

In their first ten seasons, Orr was a first team All Star 8 times, Gretzky was a first team All Star 7 times.

By the narrowest of margins, I would say Orr was more dominant in his era, and that is the only fair way to compare players of different eras.

Orr had bad luck with his knees, which shortened his career, and did not have the calibre of teammates that Gretzky was fortunate enough to have. For these reasons, he didn't win as many Cups.

Answer 3

wayne gretzky is a very good hockey player but the thing i ve noticed about the goals he scored, he was always at the right place, at the right time, bobby orr took the puck from his goal line to the other side and set up a play, when people talk about the boston bruins back in the 70s, they talk about bobby orr, they talk about the other bruins, as a team, wayne gretzky the just talk about him, in the 87 stanley cup finals when the flyers were coming back, Gretzky didn't score in the final game when it really counted,

Answer 4

Gretzky was really only an offensive player. Granted, probably one of the best offensive players of all times.

Orr revolutionized defense and was a phenomenal talent who left the game too early. My vote is for Orr.

Answer 5

Gretzky is the best forward/center ever, all offense. But Orr could play at both ends of the ice play physical drop the gloves do what ever it took to win and did not need players to protect him. He may not be the greatest offensive player but he is the Greatest Hockey Player to lace em up!!!

Answer 6

Orr and Gretzky two different players two different positions, so no you cant compare them two. but Orr could play in any era of the game which Gretzky couldn't play back in the 30, to the 60's not physically strong enough and would get hurt. but the greatest player of all time will have to go to MAURICE "THE ROCKET" RICHARD.

Answer 7

Gretzky,

And it's not even close. Bobby Orr revolutionized the defensive position and put scoring on the map for defensemen but come on, Gretzky exceeded Orr at every level scoring wise, winning Cups , MVP's. He dominated the sport for a longer period and was a much better all around player. Gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever!!!
Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 *92 *120 *212 yes those are one year stats in 1981 he had 92 goals and 120 assist!!

Answer 8

Definitely Orr. He could play defense and score. Gretzky could only score - mostly by sniping around the net - and couldn't play defensively at all.

Gretzky's the better offensive player, of course, but not the better overall player.

Answer 9

Thats a tough one. While #4 revolutionized the defenseman's game, #99 will forever hold almost every record in the book. I'd have to go with the Great One.

Answer 10

The Great One