[Stickman]

Originally Posted by MMH ROBERT GORDON ORR. Gretzky was unbelievable yes, but let's not forget all the shit that gave him a helping hand. First of all, scoring points is only one part of the game of hockey. The most important one but not the only one. Gretzky played in the high-scoring 80's where everyone was softened up and goalies sucked monkey nuts. Moreover, Gretzky had his protection crew making sure the Great One doesn't get bodychecked or ELSE. Bobby Orr despite being a defensemen was tremendous on offense. He could dominate on his way to the net (coast-to-coast anyone?) or protecting the net. He revolutionized the game in the sense that prior to him defensemen basically just played D, whereas Orr took it to another level and laid the foundation for the Coffey's, Lidstrom's and Leetch's. He was exceptionally good at ALL parts of the game, unlike Gretzky. Orr could score, defend, skate, fight, hit, play conservative, take risks, play aggressive, he was clutch, he was tough and he was crafty. He played offense better than most forwards (only players scoring more P.P.G. are Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy and Howe). Gretzky may have the statistics and it took a whole lot of external forces to make that happen, but Bobby Orr is the best all-rounder who played in a tougher, more physical era (Broad St. Bullies?) where goalies were far better. Plus Bobby Orr is a hard bastard who will kill you.

So um, how were the goalies better in the 70's than the 80s?