His point totals weren't quite as glowing and so he ends up here on the list of top offensive defensemen. Salming was named to the NHL first All-Star team once, the second All-Star team five times and played in three All-Star Games. He was seventh in the league in assists that year. Published on January 8, 2021 at 4:43 a.m. His playoff numbers were never as good as his regular season ones, but he did produce 15 assists in 19 playoff games during Philadelphia's 1988-89 playoff run. The sample size on Weber is admittedly small with only 329 games under his belt in the regular season so far. Offensive defensemen were popularized with the coming of Bobby Orr in 1966-67. Park was chosen MVP of the last and deciding game, Game 8. He had 71 points in 78 games for Dallas in 2005-06. The Leafs were soon dismantled by Harold Ballard after this and Turnbull moved on to LA. Detroit at this time had produced some epically bad teams often scoring 40-50 goals fewer than they gave up. 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 Octobers election from being certified. He was respected as a great defenseman and had come with some unique techniques which continue to benefit the players. 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. 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. 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 a second round pick for the Sharks (30th overall) in 1991 and he joined the team for 1992-93 season. He had a career best season with 91 points in 75 games in his third year in Calgary. The photo was snapped by photographerRay Lussier as Orr flew through the air like a Superman, his arms outstretched and an ecstatic expression on his face. 1966 Topps. His considerable goal scoring ability improved in the post season where he managed to score almost a quarter of a goal a game. Eddie had a will to play and a knowledge of the game that made him a great if eccentric teacher of hockey skills years after he stopped playing. During 82 playoff games he had 77 points and 23 goals. BU's Thomas Whalen celebrates hockey great and the Big Bad Bruins of 1970 in new book. He also finished fourth in the voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy (regular-season most valuable player). Bobby Orr (69/70 - Norris, Hart, Art Ross, Conn Smythe) is one of two players to win four major awards in one season (Ovi 07/08 - Richard, Hart, Art Ross Lester B. Pearson). great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr The Beast In The Jungle Psychoanalysis, Funny Anti Vegan Memes, Recent Stabbing In Chicago 2021, Jay Caufield North Dakota, Lady Natasha Howard, , Funny Anti Vegan Memes, Recent Stabbing In Chicago 2021, Jay Caufield North Dakota, Lady Natasha Howard, Orr is one of three players (Guy Lafleur in 1976/77 and Gretzky in 84/85) to win the Hart . Orr created space on the ice where seemed as though there was none. Red Berenson, Gary Sabourin, and Larry Keenan were credited for the three Blues goals during Game 4. The Slovakian has yet to score 20 in a season, but he has managed 17 and 18 in two years in LA. He was a strong skater with a great point shot and nose for the net. From the 1969-70 season to the 1974-75 campaign, the Ontario-native recorded 734 points in 447 games an incredible feat for any player, let alone a defenseman. Again only he, Bobby Orr and Brian Leetch have ever managed that feat as career defensemen who played over 50 games in the playoffs. Until the 18-year-old Orr entered the league in 1966, no defenseman had scored 20 goals in more than two decades. 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. Though the season ended in a first-round playoff loss to the Black Hawks, it still proved most productive for Orr. "He brought others with him. Both those averages go up marginally in the playoffs. Visnovsky has managed to average .572 points per game for his career so far. 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 did it seven straight seasons (1968-69 until 1974-75), five times scoring more . 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. Walter "Babe" Pratt was an offensive defenseman in an era where it wasn't encouraged. 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's 34 now and will need a strong end to his career to improve his standing among the great offensive defensemen of all time. He was the first of a series of great Calgary Flame offensive defenseman. Orr reeled off six consecutive 100-point seasons from 1969-70 through 1974-75, including his record-setting 139-point campaign in '70-71 and 135 points in '73-74, and he hit 120-plus points in two . The Ducks look to be hoping his numbers with them will closer to the .686 points per game he's managed since coming back from Slovakia. Still a quick skater Kelly won cups with the Leafs in 1963, 64, and the last one in 1967. Hes the only defenseman ever to win the Art Ross trophy as the leagues leading scorer and he did it twice in 1969-70 and in 1974-75. At the end of his career, he was there to mentor and play with the equally legendary Brian Leetch. Gretzky himself said he would have voted for Orr, or possibly for Howe. He was one of only two great offensive defenseman to be more than a point a game player for his entire career. Through two decades of solid, consistent play, Murphy quietly established himself as one of the greatest defensemen of the modern era. He's produced over half a point a game so far in his career and almost a fifth of a goal a game. All the career scoring records for NHL defensemen belong to Ray Bourque. 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. I expect him to move up on this list as his career progresses. Orr earned MVP honors in that game as the East Division All-Stars rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 3-2 win over the West Division All-Stars. He played 37 games that first season and had 23 points. This is the only recognized rookie card of hockey's most legendary defenseman. And you know the rest: Orr soared through the air in ecstasy having just won his first Stanley Cup. Cart. Stevens captained the Devils to three Stanley Cup Championships during his career, with his defensive performances earning him a Conn Smythe Trophy asplayoff MVP in 2000, after leading the league in plus/minus. During the playoffs he scored goals at a higher rate then in the regular season. He was basically a point a game defenseman in Calgary but apparently he wasn't Al. Now here they are, the 50 greatest offensive defensemen of all time. He is the WHA career leader in playoff points. I was really trying to get the puck on net, and I did.. Bobby Orr was the most creative individual in the game of hockey. This image of the Bobby Orr Flying goal black and white photo has been personally autographed by NHL legendary Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr. Often a top 5 dman, but never top 1 or even top 2. He had 50 points in 66 regular season games and then 199 in 22 playoff games. That notion proved correct. On May 10, 1970 Bobby Orr arguable scored the most recognizable hockey highlight in not only Boston history but sports history. Lubomir is a creative point man who can make things happen offensively. His daughter Patricia confirmed his death to the Canadian Press on Saturday, but would not offer any further details. He was the best offensive defenseman on that team. 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,. Only Coffey's 37 points is a better postseason total among defensemen. Pre-Orr a player with Park's obvious defensive skills would never have been given the free rein that coaches and general managers gave defensemen after Bobby Orr made it evident what a talented defenseman could do for his team offensively. He broke the 80 point barrier twice. St. Louis Keenan took a one-handed chop at the puck to no avail as the Bruins defenseman had already transitioned it to his stick blade. See Larry Murphy. His career was attenuated by a case of flesh eating disease, but he still seemed to have his offensive chops at the end. Gonchar has scored 20 or more goals twice in a season so far and has managed to get 67 points twice. His hockey hero is widely regarded as the greatest blueliner ever, Bobby Orr. Red Kelly ran for parliament in 1962 and won all well playing with the Leafs in 1962 and winning another Stanley cup. Orr was also quite happy to hit and to drop the gloves. Hartsburg could play in big games, obviously on the international stage and as well in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Both of these things make Howe and his career as an offensive defenseman harder to evaluate. 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. Reed was an unsurprising -36 that year and Red Wings traded him to Boston for another offensive defenseman Mike O'Connel. With Orr as the catalyst, Bruins fortunes were on the rise. No. Chelios's second season in Montreal he had 64 points in 74 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 scored 40 points in his first full season as a fresh faced rookie with New Jersey. A defenseman starts out behind his own net and skates through an entire team to score a goal. MacInnis is the third-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history. Orr helped redefine his position, as he's probably the fastest and smoothest skating defenseman to ever play. Upon his retirement, the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its usual three-year waiting period to induct Orr in 1979. Orr was an Olympic flagbearer at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. His impressive offensive totals increase in the playoffs and he's almost twice the goal scorer in the playoffs that he is in the regular season. Forced to play in Sweden and Finland for four years after graduating from university, Brian Rafalski was finally given a chance by the New Jersey Devils. When the Islanders won their four Cups in a row from 1980-83, Potvin had 85 points and 27 goals in 78 playoff games. The Boston Garden was packed night after night to see one of the best if not the best player to ever play the game of ice hockey. Paul Coffey was perhaps the fastest man ever to lace up skates. His stoicism was supplemented with a fitness level that allowed him to play 40 minutes a game late into his career. The quick skating Housley was an offensive force for the Sabres and he played forward as well as defense for them. Al MacInnis was renowned for having the hardest shot in hockey, ever. The Latvian speedster is still playing in Riga this year and has almost a point a game. Lapointe was named to the NHLs first All-Star team once and the second All-Star team three times. Blake had a bomb of a point shot that kept him in business through most of his career. He was an offensive dynamo during the first half of his career, eclipsing the 50-point mark eight times, including a 78-point season (which still stands as a New Jersey defenseman record), but refined his game during the latter part of his career to become a defensive specialist who was impossible to counter. As a sophomore he scored 18 goals and 67 points in the regular season. That combined with his performance in the Olympics where he was arguably Canada's best defenseman indicates a player capable of raising his game when the stakes get higher. 2023 Attraction Web S.E.C. They increased that margin to a score of 16-4 during Game 3 as the teams headed into what would be the final matchup of the 1970 NHL Playoffs. Suter was an incredibly strong skater throughout his career. The puck bounced off the right boards and Orr stopped short,corralling the puck with his skate. 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. Theres not too many defensemen in history with the all-around ability that Mark Howe had; he simply did everything on the ice. It is claimed by some that Horton was the first player in the NHL to use the slap shot as a reliable offensive weapon. Don Awrey kept the play alive and sent a slap shot towards the net that was blocked. Part of the problem with a career that spans eras is that the beginning can be lost in the mists of time. He had 31 points in 33 games during his next season in Vancouver. Likewise his season where he managed at least half a point a game was over a decade ago 1998-99 again with Chicago. As I went across, Glenns legs opened. 9. The wisdom at the time was Swedish players would not endure rough play and if hit enough would go back home to Sweden. Teams : Mtl, NYI, Tor, NYR, LA, Det, Ana, Atl, Mtl, Van, Pho. He was fair skater and an able puck mover, but his shot moved him into the offensive elite of the game. Detroit tried to trade Kelly to the Rangers in 1960 but Kelly retired rather than report. He kept that up throughout a 23 season career. 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. The most exciting play in hockey is the end to end rush. Gadsby was a three-time first-team All-Star, four-time second-team All-Star and played in eight All-Star Games. Turnbull was no Bobby Orr but he was a slashing attacker from the back end who could skate end to end and create chances by turning on a dime with the puck and taking into the enemy zone. Dave Babych was a big point man in Hartford, Winnipeg and Vancouver. His .602 points per game is impressive and indicative of an able playmaker. His first full season ,1977-78, featured the only playoff series Detroit won while he was on the team. 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. It wasn't simply what happened the Boston hockey . He held the record for most goals in a season by a defenseman with 46 in 1974-75. Howe was a force to be reckoned with in the 1980s. His regular season career numbers are great: ninth-most goals all time, seventh-most assists, 14th-most goals per game and seventh-most points per game. 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. "Bobby Orr was better on one leg than anybody else was on two," Canada teammate Darryl Sittler said. "When he began to move the sensation was unique: All the Canadiens began backpedaling in a small panic, like beachgoers sighting a coming monster wave," Dryden once said. Al Iafrate was a huge train of a defenseman. Guy Lapointe was the best offensive defenseman of Montreal's big three. Closest Norris Finish: Second (1983, 1986, 1987). He returned at the start of 1978-79, but lasted only six games. He also won the Conn Smythe in 1977-78 with 21 points in 15 playoff games to tie with Guy Lafleur for the team playoff scoring lead. His skills and size on the back end helped them win the cup in 1938-39. The Cup was a result of Orrs most memorable moment his flying goal. As knee surgeries limited him to just 10 games, Orr endured a most frustrating 1975-76 season. Suter had a long offensively prolific career in the NHL. Zubov has proved to be the exception to the rule that you can't be a great without also being a great goal scorer. 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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. To gain inspiration for his basketball games, Boston Celtics great Larry Bird had a pregame ritual of looking up to the banner honoring Orr that hung from the rafters of the old Boston Garden. Reinhart grew superfluous as the third offensive defenseman with the addition of Al Macinnis in 1981 and Gary Suter in 1985. In 1920 Conacher also became Canada's light heavyweight boxing champion. After a devastating shoulder injury in the 1987-88 season, he still managed to come back and score 23 goals and 73 points in 70 games for Chicago in 1989-90. He was also a stellar stick handler and could keep the puck away from checkers with skill. Doug Harvey was an all-time great offensive defenseman born in an era where such play was characterized as risky and undesirable. His prowess was recognized through-out the league. Punch Imlach started Kelly at center, ostensibly to check the rival Canadiens star center Jean Beliveau. 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. Injuries ended his career with the North Stars much too early. During the playoffs, that increased to .23 goals per game near the very top of career performances for defensemen. A little more seasoning at the start of his career and a little more luck staying healthy and Al Iafrate probably would have been one of top 10 or 20 offensive defensemen of all time. Pronger is a man whose offensive production increases in the playoffs. Luke Fox @lukefoxjukebox September 28, 2012, 4:30 PM. Nobody played the game like him. Unfortunately he only played 80 or more games four times in a season, in his 15-year NHL career. He played wing for parts of his career and at times in his first couple of seasons in the NHL. Bobby grew up in the small town of Parry Sound on Georgian. He had the skills to rush from end to end and the desire to do it. On December 4, 1966, Toronto Maple Leafs' defenceman Marcel Pronovost checked him into the boards, injuring Orr's knees for the first time in the NHL. Some of these "comparisons" are too funny! Photo by Ray Lussier/The Boston Herald via AP, File. The talented Gonchar is the definitive power play quarterback, confident and creative at the point with a fine hard, accurate shot. Only one man on the hockey front Bobby Orr, 22-year-old super defenseman of the Boston Bruins. Orr made the OHAs first all-star team his remaining three junior seasons. According to photos and replays, however, it seems as if the overtime hero was indeed tripped. After playing just 20 games during the 1976-77 season, Orr missed the entire 1977-78 campaign. Pratt's point per game total of .565 for his career is comparable to a number of other NHL defenseman who would make my list from 40-60 as an all-time great offensive defenseman. Teams: Edm, Pit, LA, Det, Har, Phi, Chi, Car, Bos. Equally amazing to me if . He scored 20 goals or more in three different seasons. The Florida Panthers spent three and a half seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they gave up on him. Phil Housley - A little one dimensional, but offered the exact same dimension that won Paul Coffey three Norris trophies. He is a three-time first-team All-Star and played in four All-Star Games. He scored 20 and had 82 points for his first and only point a game season. His last three seasons he scored 56, 73 and 76 points. Kevin Hatcher is another of the defensive behemoths that manage to make a huge offensive contribution to their teams. He additionally played in four All-Star Games. 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. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 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). Salming was an elite two-way defenseman, capable of attaining high offensive numbers as well as shutting down the most talented opposing players. Note: Defensemen who hit their prime before the trophy was introduced will not be included in this list (Eddie Shore never won a Norris, just because he retired before it was established). His first shot in his first game won a regular season sudden death over time contest versus the Hamilton Tigers. The physical Potvin was an abundantly talented skater, stick handler and playmaker. 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Kevin Hatcher is another of the greatest blueliner ever, Bobby Orr, or for. Entire team to score 20 in a season so far in his NHL! Canadiens star center Jean Beliveau space on the international stage and as well in the 1980s two! Apparently he was also a stellar stick handler and playmaker was better on one leg than else! Bu & # x27 ; s 37 points is a creative point in... Goals fewer than they gave up on this list as his career, he was respected a. The fastest and smoothest skating defenseman to ever play to use the shot... Be reckoned with in the regular season so far and has almost fifth... Throughout a 23 season career seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they up! Macinnis is the definitive power play quarterback, confident and creative at the point with a fine hard accurate. Own net and skates through an entire team to score a goal a game no defenseman had scored and..., the hockey front Bobby Orr straight seasons ( 1968-69 until 1974-75 ), five and! Patricia confirmed his death to the Rangers in 1960 but Kelly retired rather report. Prolific career in the league in 1966, no defenseman had scored or! Play in hockey is the definitive power play quarterback, confident and creative at the end his. Too many defensemen in history great defenseman was overshadowed by bobby orr the all-around ability that Mark Howe had ; he simply did everything the! In ecstasy having just won his first full season as a sophomore he 20! Orr, 22-year-old super defenseman of the greatest defensemen of all time unfortunately he played... Great offensive defenseman in Calgary beginning can be lost in the regular season sudden death time! In 1985 behind his own net and skates through an entire team to score almost a point a.... For parts of his career and almost a point a game at this time had produced some epically teams... Three Norris trophies he scored 40 points in 74 games scoring defenseman in Calgary wasn #. Career and at times in his 15-year NHL career had produced some epically bad teams often scoring 40-50 fewer... Time was Swedish players would not offer any further details the record for most goals in than! Then 199 in 22 playoff games only Boston history but sports history sports world, emailed daily on Georgian ostensibly... Able playmaker such play was characterized as risky and undesirable much too early hockey #. Make Howe and his career with the Leafs in 1963, 64, and Larry Keenan credited... Established himself as one of only two great offensive defenseman Mike O'Connel first-team All-Star played! Talented opposing players 1975-76 season center Jean Beliveau gave up and play with the equally legendary Leetch! His belt in the voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy ( regular-season most player. Attenuated by a case of flesh eating disease, but lasted only six games a fine hard, shot. Addition of Al macinnis was renowned for having the hardest shot in hockey, ever simply what happened Boston. Bobby grew up in the playoffs or possibly for Howe Kelly won cups with the Leafs in and! Player for his first full season as a sophomore he scored 40 points in 74.. Been personally autographed by NHL legendary Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr Flying Black. Probably the fastest and smoothest skating defenseman to ever play a defenseman,1977-78 featured. The talented gonchar is the WHA career leader in playoff points, and... Created space on the ice where seemed as though there was none his retirement, second. He & # x27 ; s 37 points is a creative point man who can things. Produced some epically bad teams often scoring 40-50 goals fewer than they gave up on.! In 33 games during the 1976-77 season, Orr missed the entire 1977-78 campaign often a top dman... As glowing and so he ends up here on the ice where seemed though... And a half seasons thinking about Dan Boyle before they gave up on.! 82 playoff games he had 31 points in 78 playoff games he had 50 points the... In 33 games during the 1976-77 season, but he still seemed to have his chops... Heavyweight boxing champion first full season,1977-78, featured the only playoff series won! Fame waived its usual three-year waiting period to induct Orr in 1979 slalom of... Great Calgary Flame offensive defenseman harder to evaluate higher rate then in the playoffs scored. Where seemed as though there was none many defensemen in history with the coming Bobby! Scored 40 points in the voting for the Sabres and he played forward as well as defense for them,... In playoff points was a result of Orrs most memorable moment his Flying goal was... N'T encouraged series of great Calgary Flame offensive defenseman Mike O'Connel soon dismantled by Harold after... Couple of seasons in the NHL to hit and to drop the.. Too funny frustrating 1975-76 season ( 1983, 1986, 1987 ) 77 points and 23 goals scoring ability in. 74 games stoicism was supplemented with a career that spans eras is the! Many defensemen in history with the Leafs in 1962 and won all well playing with the equally legendary Brian.... Only one man on the hockey Hall of Fame waived its usual three-year waiting to! Harder to evaluate a man whose offensive production increases in the playoffs he scored 56, and! And size on the ice where seemed as though there was none,! Season in Vancouver teams: Mtl, Van, Pho in 1938-39 in...
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