Is it fair to say we will see another Wayne Gretzky before we see another Bobby Orr?

Question

Before you all abuse me, listen to my argument. I'm not talking about Gretzky's records being shattered or anything. Gretzky played in a very-offense oriented era, without the goalies having huge pads and goalie coaches and the coaches were less focussed on preaching a system and more on players just trying their best. So, it is unrealistic to imagine a player staying healthy and producing big numbers for 20 years to break Gretzky's career records.

However, I want to focus more on the impact Gretzky had on the game during his era. He could dominate games at will. If Crosby continues to develop at a high pace, I can see him reach a point where he will be able to completely control a game, despite what the opposition does to counter. Another young kid by the name of John Tavares is already drawing comparisons to Wayne. My point is people debate forever about who the best forward is-Mario, Gordie, Sidney (if he reaches the next level), but when it comes to d-men, this is only 1 answer.

Bobby Orr has never been eclipsed;no one has even come close to what he has done. I've never heard anybody compare a defenseman to Bobby Orr. Sure, Leaf fans will be quick to point out the one year where Bryan McCabe led the NHL in scoring for a while. That was impressive, but McCabe produced most of those points on the powerplay, in a year where everything was going his way. Since then he hasn't been able to come close to what he achieved that one year, unlike Orr who did it for at least 6 full seasons. Bobby Orr could dominate a game on the powerplay, even-strength, and even shorthanded. When was the last time you saw anyone rag the puck all over the ice for a full minute during a shorthanded situation? Bobby Orr used to be a +100 player year after year, while putting up over a 100 points! I highly doubt I'll live to see a another defenseman win scoring titles consistently the way Bobby did.

This comparison is fair because if Bobby was good enough to dominate the NHL scoring race back then, a defenseman equal of his talent should be able to win the scoring race today. That's the only way one can compare great players, observe the impact they had on the game in their time, and no one in history has come close to Bobby Orr. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I agree completely, its very unlikely that we will ever have a defensemen of his greatness now a days. Our most likely highest ranked dman now is lindstrom and his points arent even close and his leadnership and comand to control a game arent there, or atleast not nearly even close to orr. Some of our Dmen, or past dmen, have been able to change the outcome of a game, but not control it.To get a defensemen of that value and hockey talent of orr will only come along once in a great while.

On the other side of your question, it seems very possible that someone with that offensive talent that will help control and dominate a game. Crosby may have the potential to put up the numbers but i havent really seen him start doing anythign else that puts him at a leadership level. Infact, it seems a lot of people just hate him and usually will show no respect towards his accomplishments. He is a good player playing on an already very good team. If you stick him in washington and move ovechkin to pitsburg who do you think will get more points and all of the attention? ovechkin is out working with almost nothing(semin is about it) and still putting up good numbers along with some impressive moves, and also playing much more agressively(and not with the "dont touch me or you'll get a penalty" attitude).

Oh and that Tavares kid seems very likely to become the next wayne at this point. Tavares was drafted into the ohl two years BEFORE players are normally eligible(he was 14 when you normally have to be 16). He was the first ever to use the "exceptional player rule" to the ohl to allow for his drafting. They have already started questioning whether he will apply for nhl draft eligiblity at age 17 instead of 18 or if he will try to enter the minor leagues as a fa. Hes broke wayne's 16 year old scoring record for the ohl and taken the highest of all the ohl given awards (player of the year, most outstanding player, etc..). At the age of 15 he was already predicted to be first overall in the nhl draft(in 2009)reguardless who else is in it. They arent even just talking about his offensive talent, but also a different "skill" he brings in. So if crosby falls through, this guy should be able to do it in a few years to come.

Answer 2

First off, there is the media aspect of it. When Orr was playing there was no where near the coverage Gretzky got...and there is even more potential coverage as Sidney takes the reigns. Suffice to say, it is very difficult to compare these players on anything other than pure stats. I have always been one, however, who if I could have any player to start a team it would have been Orr first.

I agree with you that he is now the NHL star. I think he could get to the point that you suggest, controlling the game. Not only that, he could be hockey's savior in that he's a good looking like-able kid that will work well to help hockey garner more interest...akin to the likes of Michael Jordan taking the entire NBA on his back. His potential impact on and off the ice, if he keeps his nose clean, is immeasurable.

The one thing Gretzky had that Crosby has not was a rival. Gretzky was pretty much on his own when he entered the league, but one Magnificent One followed who, I believe, helped to drive Gretzky even more...of course, then you mention Tavares in Oshawa who could very much fulfill this roll...or reverse it.

This is what interests me. In twenty years when Crosby and Tavares are retiring, who will we remember as this age's Gretzky and who as Lemieux?

Or is there yet another to come?

Answer 3

You are completely right. I don't think anyone else will ever have Bobby Orr type talent. It's not possible. If you compare Bobby Orr to the rest of the defensemen to ever play, he has no one even close to his abilities. Gretzky, if compared to other forwards in the history of hockey, has had some competition, Richard in his era, Mario, Jagr has his seasons and now the inevitable Sidney Crosby. John Tavares is on his way to, but we'll see what kind of impact he makes when he gets to the league. Were all hoping he doesn't turn out to be the next Alex Daigle.
Great Questions.

Answer 4

The game has changed so much from the days of Orr that there will be nobody to surpass what he has accomplished as an offensive defenseman. There is a lot more physical play in the NHL and the league is a lot more competitive. Teams will simply not allow someone to skate with the puck as much as Orr did. Gtretzky? yes there will be another player like him, a long time before we see another great defenseman like Bobby Orr. No blueliner can skate so smooth with and without the puck .... Just think back to what we refer to as "The Flight" on May 10, 1970. Orr had great control of the puck in the zone, luring in all eyes of the defenders. He then sent the puck down to Sanderson, and with his keen hockey sense, went towards the net to give Derek an outlet. He was and probably will be forever the best NHL defenseman to step foot on ice.

Answer 5

I think you could see them both coming within the next 20 years. Now, I agree that Orr was more of an impact than Gretzky, but I think with the new NHL will encourage more defensemen to play in that Orr style. A defenseman may not lead the league in scoring, but I could see them getting astronomical numbers, and at the same time, performing on the defensive end. Lidstrom style players, only better (not saying Lidstrom is better than Orr, but he is up there with the best). I really think you could see both of them replaced on the top of their respective lists as greatest of all-time.

Answer 6

Good question. That is a hard one to answer, but I think we will see another Gretzky before Orr. But, you have to realize that hockey has changed a lot since then. They were both great in their time. I would like to see what Gretzky could do now with the goalies pads and such. Would he still have that great of a record? Orr did know how to handle the puck. He was a born natural. His brain moved faster than the puck.

Answer 7

I think you are absolute correct in your subject line. In fact, we've already seen another Wayne Gretzky in Mario Lemieux. But I don't know if we will ever see another Bobby Orr. I suppose the closest thing was Paul Coffey in the mid-80's. But Coffey had Gretzky and the rest of the Oilers, and was not the one to take over the games or lead the league in scoring.

Answer 8

Most likely. If Bobby Orr had two good knees we would have renamed the Norris for him when he retired and he would have been in the top 5 in scoring all time while playing defense. That kind of player doesn't come around often. Sid may catch Gretz IF he plays 20 years and stays healthy.

Answer 9

Right when I read the question I though OF COURSE. When are we going to see a D-Man that compares to Orr again? Most players like that now would more likely be a 2-way forward then a D-Man.

Answer 10

I think that we will see another wayne gretzy before we see another bobby orr because when you are a kid you eill want to be a forward not defense where you cant do much


BUT i agree with you