TOP TEN HOCKEY CARDS FROM THE 1950s

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Thanks for your post.

What I meant was that Gretzky came along and broke all of Howe's records. He took away Gordie's crown.

Yes, Orr was amazing, but for only a very short time. By the time he was 27 years old, he was done as a player. Howe, on the other hand, dominated the league for a long time. Afterwards, he played in the WHA and then went back to the NHL in his fifties! He could score, set up his team-mates, was good on the boards, excellent two-way player and was also an enforcer. I would take Howe over Orr anytime.

Gordie Howe was in a class by himself when it comes to his legendary durability and longevity. Bobby Orr was amazing for only a very short time, you say. Sadly, you are correct, of course. However, you grossly underestimate his impact on the game, and his stature in the minds of his many fans, as well as students of hockey history. For so many people, it's always one over another; who's the best or who's the greatest?

Had the leagues' players not laid a glove, stick, or skate upon Gretzky, as they brutally did to Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr, Wayne may very well have suffered the same fate as the two Bobbys. Dennis Hull tells some great stories of how wickedly dirty the players were against his brother. When the great Bruin hope Bobby came along, from day 1, the NHL players began dealing with this 18-year-old whippersnapper by the name of Orr. By the end of the 74/75 season, with Bobby just having turned 27, he was, as you said, about finished as a player. Hey, go check out his Wikipedia biography. It's longer than your arm, bub! It may not be as long as Wayne's or Gordie's, but for someone that just lasted 'til he was 27, well, must I speak plainer?

Can't it be enough that guys like Howe, Hull, Orr, or Richard are hockey legends? Must we always argue immaturely as to who's number 1? --- Brian Powell

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Had the leagues' players not laid a glove, stick, or skate upon Gretzky, as they brutally did to Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr, Wayne may very well have suffered the same fate as the two Bobbys.

I used to be one of the guys who also believed that nobody laid a finger on Gretzky, but after researching it, I realized this wasn't true. He was attacked many times and suffered numerous injuries throughout his career. By the time he went to the Kings, he had serious back issues. And then there was that player - forgot his name - who broke Gretzky's rib. Yes, he didn't take anywhere near the same level of abuse Orr did, but however, that's only because he didn't go out there looking for it. Orr was a far more aggressive player, but that's understandable, because he was a d-man.

Originally Posted by brian1961

Can't it be enough that guys like Howe, Hull, Orr, or Richard are hockey legends? Must we always argue immaturely as to who's number 1?

I agree with you, my friend. This was supposed to be a thread about the best hockey cards from the 1950s and I don't know how it ended up here - haha! Let's all get back on track here, folks!

[timber09]

Great post - thank you for the ride.

I am not going to rank the merits of one great over another great. I don't remember exactly how my father, a long time collegiate coach, put it; regardless of era, you would know their name.
Meaning the numbers will always be fluid based on era, but the player transcends. If Gretz, Howe, Orr, Richard, etc were born in 1999, you'd see them with a sweater on doing what they do best.

Obviously not a name that goes with these guys but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the 1951 Parkhurst Bill Barilko card - yes, a lot of that has to do with 50 Mission Cap for those of you Hip fans out there.

Some day, I shall have one, some day...

[irv]

You guys are lucky if you can remember seeing Orr play.

I know I seen him play when I was very young but unfortunately too much time has past for me to remember those moments.

[maniac_73]

Originally Posted by irv

You guys are lucky if you can remember seeing Orr play.

I know I seen him play when I was very young but unfortunately too much time has past for me to remember those moments.

Its funny separating watching players sometimes from their stats. I always thought the russians were absolutely electric. Loved watching Bure, Mogilny and now ovechkin just scorch down the ice and do things with the puck you didn't think are possible.

[irv]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

Its funny separating watching players sometimes from their stats. I always thought the russians were absolutely electric. Loved watching Bure, Mogilny and now ovechkin just scorch down the ice and do things with the puck you didn't think are possible.

With the game changing so much the last 5-10 yrs, the talent that is now on display in the NHL is something else.

Adam Foote's son, Nolan, who plays for Team Canada, has one of the quickest/hardest shots that I have ever seen, and he just turned 19.

Watching Marner/Mathews play (to name a couple) in the NHL just cements, imo, how far the game has come, talent wise, in a relatively short period of time.

I still miss that more rough, more hitting type of game I use to see in the NHL but after watching the World Juniors yesterday, I am glad it is not entirely dead.