Orr was the best hockey player ever, period.
- John Jaeckel
arguable at best vs Gretzky.
He surely did dominate an era, but so did Lindros and Forsberg. Orr ripped up a league where 50% of it was the 93' Ottawa Senators due to expansion, where many players probably should not have been in the league.
I would also argue that Lidstrom international achievements continue to prove his consistency at an elite level and most likely are better than Orr's.
Lidstrom also played heavy minutes against WAY more talented players on a nightly basis for 20 years, during a time where they put more focus on their body, strength and also had knowledge of how to be a better athlete (vs a few beers and a steaks after the game.... which is the way I would have went too).
Orr will always be the "best" because of his domination, but no one can tell me the talent level he played against was to the extend of today's NHL.