Gretzky or Orr?

[Hoser 0]

Easy question, which would you take during their prime and why?

I'll take Orr simply because he controlled a game like no one else could

[RadioGaGa 162]

I'd take Orr as well.

Gretzky took what other players had done (Richard, Bossey, Lafleur) to a ridiculously new level of success...but he didn't change how people played offense...he just did it better than anyone else.

Orr actually redefined how a player could play from the position of Defenceman. Sadly, I never got to see Orr play...and the sports bug got my AFTER Gretz went to LA...

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Orr, no contest.

[Chadd 916]

Gretzky took what other players had done (Richard, Bossey, Lafleur) to a ridiculously new level of success...but he didn't change how people played offense...he just did it better than anyone else.

That really doesn't matter if we're talking about magically transporting them into this era to build a team around. Guys are already playing the game that way and he wouldn't be able to change it again. The sad thing is that neither would be able to play on a team as good as they did in their prime thanks to the salary cap. Maybe you get one magical year, two at best and then guys are all headed elsewhere.

I'll take Orr simply because he controlled a game like no one else could

One player will never again be able to control the game the way players did 20 or 30 years ago. It's a different game.

[LkptTiger 1]

Most of us here never really got a chance to see Orr play. Hell, I'm barely old enough to really remember the end of Gretzky's career.

[DarkStar50 679]

Orr would beat you with his skill, skating, and shot. Gretzky simply beat you with his brain.

[Law Goalie 147]

It's a tough call... Orr's game (as he played it) would apply most easily to the current game: there are a handful of extremely talented skating defencemen whose games are obviously versions of Orr's.

That said, if I wanted one brain to pit against the current defensive systems and neutral-zone formations, it would be Gretzky's. I'm really puzzled by his lack of success as a coach. It may be that he hasn't learned to articulate what he sees yet.

[Hordie Gowe 17]

If you were starting a new franchise, you would have to go with Gretzky. Gretz would be great from a business standpoint for the franchise, as the average fan values the offensive aspect of the game more than solid defensive play. A great defensive team wins championships, but the highlight goals and offensive prowess sells tickets.

[DCott 0]

Orr was as offensive minded as Gretzky was. He is the only d-man to ever lead the league in scoring, and he had a +124 rating one year. No one created offense the way he did.

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

Orr!!!!

[RadioGaGa 162]

It just dawned on me....you say Gretzky and Orr...but you really weren't specific...

Did you mean Bobby & Wayne?

or...

Colton (Orr) and Brent (Gretzky)?

VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Orr!!!!

a well reasoned arguement with a lot of interesting points to consider.

:P

[southpaw59er 0]

Orr!! I grew up in Massachusetts and saw him play many times as a kid in the early 70's. He was and still is my favorite player all time. I have never seen anyone dominate a game like he could. My fondest memory came against the Mapleleafs. The bruins were a man down, Orr took the puck from behind his own net and out skated each opposing player one by one and scored a short handed goal!! Never seen anything like it since! As I recall he was also known as one of the fastest skaters if not the fastest in the NHL at the time.

He only played for nine years as an unfortunate a knee injury shortened his career. He was never the same. Ultimately the Bruins traded him to the Blackhawks, two years later he was done.

Nothing against the blackhawks but it was weird not seeing him in black and gold.

Only defenseman to ever win the league scoring title!!! I think he won seven or eight Norris trophys for leagues best defensemen and he was MVP in both Stanley Cups wins!! The original "Great One" in my opinion.

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

Orr!!!!

a well reasoned arguement with a lot of interesting points to consider.

:P

Alright you got me...I'll expand haha

ORR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Neither player in their prime would put up the type of numbers they did in today's game. They were the superstars of their own generation just like OV and Sid are of this one. Gretz took one look at Chara and told a linesmen 'that's why I'm retiring.' The game is bigger and faster than it ever was. Id pick a superstar of today over both of those. My answer is none of the above.

[chippa13 1844]

Neither player in their prime would put up the type of numbers they did in today's game. They were the superstars of their own generation just like OV and Sid are of this one. Gretz took one look at Chara and told a linesmen 'that's why I'm retiring.' The game is bigger and faster than it ever was. Id pick a superstar of today over both of those. My answer is none of the above.

That really isn't a statement you can make. Today's game may be bigger and faster but you have to give Gretzky and Orr the same advantages in technology and training that today's players have. Imagine Orr skating around in a pair of S17's or Vapor XXXX's after spending a summer training like today's players. Gretzky made his comment about Chara because he was like 38 at the time, he was feeling his age.

[Jason Harris 31]

If you were starting a new franchise, you would have to go with Gretzky. Gretz would be great from a business standpoint for the franchise, as the average fan values the offensive aspect of the game more than solid defensive play. A great defensive team wins championships, but the highlight goals and offensive prowess sells tickets.

You should try to find clips of Orr on YouTube, because he was the more colorful offensive player of the two. There's no doubt Gretzky had a great shot but, more importantly, he had amazing vision -- a behind-the-back pass to the point, when all eyes were focused on him at the far boards.

He only played for nine years as an unfortunate a knee injury shortened his career. He was never the same. Ultimately the Bruins traded him to the Blackhawks, two years later he was done.

Actually, it was about five injuries to each knee, to the point he had no cartilage remaining. The problem is they had to cut open the knee back then, versus the small incision they can make for some knee injuries today.

Also, he wasn't traded to the Black Hawks. He left as a free agent. The sad part of the story is, years later, word got out that Jacobs had offered him a piece of the ownership, but Orr's agent -- Alan Eagleson, who later spent time in jail -- told Orr that Chicago had offered more, because Eagleson couldn't collect commission on that arrangement.

So who would I choose? Orr. His flair on the ice was captivating and his +/- was the best ever.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Neither player in their prime would put up the type of numbers they did in today's game. They were the superstars of their own generation just like OV and Sid are of this one. Gretz took one look at Chara and told a linesmen 'that's why I'm retiring.' The game is bigger and faster than it ever was. Id pick a superstar of today over both of those. My answer is none of the above.

That really isn't a statement you can make. Today's game may be bigger and faster but you have to give Gretzky and Orr the same advantages in technology and training that today's players have. Imagine Orr skating around in a pair of S17's or Vapor XXXX's after spending a summer training like today's players. Gretzky made his comment about Chara because he was like 38 at the time, he was feeling his age.

Well now we're talking about 2 different things. The original question posed was Gretzky or Orr in todays game. The technological advanced, sure, they can have that. But as far as size, conditioning, and strength, i think you have to take them for how they were. not as they could have been if brought up today. Theres too many factors in these type of questions. We'd need a specific set of rules and guidelines bordering on a full blown scientific experiment to get a decent answer.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Neither player in their prime would put up the type of numbers they did in today's game. They were the superstars of their own generation just like OV and Sid are of this one. Gretz took one look at Chara and told a linesmen 'that's why I'm retiring.' The game is bigger and faster than it ever was. Id pick a superstar of today over both of those. My answer is none of the above.

That really isn't a statement you can make. Today's game may be bigger and faster but you have to give Gretzky and Orr the same advantages in technology and training that today's players have. Imagine Orr skating around in a pair of S17's or Vapor XXXX's after spending a summer training like today's players. Gretzky made his comment about Chara because he was like 38 at the time, he was feeling his age.

Orr with arthoscopic surgery would make a big difference

[CH_Hockey12 0]

Orr, hands down.

[OTHockey96 0]

#4 BOBBY ORR!!!!!!!!!!! And i agree about the advance of technology/training with Orr and Gretzky.....give them the tools and they'd respond accordingly. I don't think there is any reason to doubt either of them in today's game, especially Bobby, he'd tear it up.

[Invert 13]

This may be a bit of a homer call, but I would take Mario Lemieux over both these two. The absolute garbage he turned into 40 goal wingers is amazing (Rob Brown, Warren Young). He had size that Gretzky and Orr never had and comparable vision. His biggest knock was health issues, which he learned WAY too late in life that fitness mattered. If he didn't show up to Pittsburgh in 1984 with a pot belly and smoking like a chimney, he could easily be considered more than once in this argument.

[Chadd 916]

This may be a bit of a homer call, but I would take Mario Lemieux over both these two. The absolute garbage he turned into 40 goal wingers is amazing (Rob Brown, Warren Young). He had size that Gretzky and Orr never had and comparable vision. His biggest knock was health issues, which he learned WAY too late in life that fitness mattered. If he didn't show up to Pittsburgh in 1984 with a pot belly and smoking like a chimney, he could easily be considered more than once in this argument.

Mario was the most physically gifted man to ever play in the NHL, he just didn't care when he came into the league and then ran into a slew of health problems.

Orr Changed the game more than any man in the history of the NHL.

Gretz demolished scoring records. His numbers are just so absurd in comparison to the other guys on the list.

[chippa13 1844]

I love hearing stories of the Boston pk with Orr.

"Hey, Bobby, get the puck. When the penalty is over.......pass to someone."

[NYR4NG3R5 0]

The question is pretty much asking do you want the best one sided player in the game? (Gretz)

Or the best two sided player in the game? (Orr)

Bobby no contest.