tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134378665307917746.post7835557470590028542..comments2023-12-26T01:55:26.015-08:00Comments on The Wrath of John: Comparing Nicklas Lidstrom to Bobby Orr is a jokeJohn Leachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01489933287811373294noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134378665307917746.post-67275099240163806402012-04-20T18:00:57.895-07:002012-04-20T18:00:57.895-07:00OK Al. Good points and you nailed me. Despite all ...OK Al. Good points and you nailed me. Despite all my bluster at times, deep down I'm an incurable romantic. The Princess knows that, even though I haven't heard from her lately. Maybe someday I could introduce you two. Hmmm. On second thought, she doesn't need any help tearing me up on occasion. Nevermind. Bad idea. LOL Thanks for commenting again and have a good day right back at ya.John Leachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01489933287811373294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134378665307917746.post-30146038852956914682012-04-20T08:06:56.779-07:002012-04-20T08:06:56.779-07:00Well John, I am not saying that Bobby Orr was not ...Well John, I am not saying that Bobby Orr was not a great player, he was, but in your lavish praise of him you are ignoring some basic facts. <br /><br />Bobby Orr's career blast off coincided with the expansion of the NHL. The expansion doubled the size of the league without increasing the talent pool, so the gap between the best and worst players grew. Orr's Norris trophies were probably more for his offense than his defense. The WHA also contributed to the weakened talent pool.<br /><br />The influx of the Russians and Europeans finally raised the level of play. In the 1990s when Lidstrom started, the dead puck era began so scoring decreased and attention to defense increased. Lidstrom thrived, as evidenced by his 7 Norris trophies and multiple championships. He has been called by his contemporaries and some old time players as the best "defenseman" ever. <br /><br />I don't know who the best ever was, but I am old enough to have watched both Orr and Lidstrom throughout their entire careers. It is hard to judge who was best because of the different eras they played in, same as other sports. What we do know is that Orr's career was cut short due to bad knees. What we don't know is if he would have been able to play at the same level for 20 years, which is what Lidstrom has done. <br /><br />I think maybe some of your admiration for Orr is simply the romanticist in you coming out. But maybe not. <br /><br />Have a good day.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03938635539578047632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134378665307917746.post-69020365256670478492012-04-18T20:29:44.577-07:002012-04-18T20:29:44.577-07:00nice article john.keep up the good work,tarzannice article john.keep up the good work,tarzanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com