I can concede that the NHL of the 1970s wasn't as good as the NHL of today. The NHL was at a low point in the 1970. Massive expansion led to too many weak organizations with that were unable to develop talent. The old affiliated junior system was broken up, and the junior teams were now independently owned and trying to draw fans instead of developing players. There were still great players and a handful of great organizations, but the system was a bit of a mess.
So let's back up to the point I made in the last thread. Bobby Orr entered the NHL in 1966-67 -- the last year of the Original Six. All 6 teams were established organizations full of players developed in their affiliated junior teams, with wide talent scouting networks all over Canada. Orr came along right at the end of that system, but the NHL he entered was still very much an NHL created under that system. All six teams were very definitely playing structured, system hockey. Every player had to buy into the system if they wanted to make the league.
We've seen the post earlier about the relatively low fitness requirements for players at Leafs camp. Fair enough, the minimum requirements weren't very high. But you also need to consider that players were on one year contracts back then and had zero job security. The minor leagues were loaded with talent looking for a shot at the NHL. Many very good, even HHOF players came to camp and played their careers in fear that they would lose their jobs. I don't think many players were playing their way into shape the way they would a decade later in the 70s.
Again, Bobby Orr entered this Original Six league in 1966-67 at age 18, straight out of major junior, which was very unusual. Everyone had to serve an apprenticeship in the minor leagues before making the NHL back then. How unusual was this? Here's the list of the top 18 year old point scorers in the NHL during the full Original Six era.
1. Bobby Orr, 1966-67, 41 points.
2. Gordie Howe, 1946-47, 22 points
3. Dave Creighton, 1948-49, 4 points.
4. Larry Hillman, 1955-56, 3 points.
So Bobby Orr was the first 18 year old to play significant time in the NHL in 10 years, and the first to skate a regular shift in a full season in 20 years. He and Gordie Howe were the only two 18 year olds to play regularly. You basically had to be a Mount Rushmore talent to stick at age 18 in that league.
And Orr did a lot more than stick in the league. He led all defenceman in scoring with 41 points at age 18. After the season, Harry Howell won the Norris trophy. Howell said he was happy to win it because he knew he wouldn't win another now that Bobby Orr was in the league. He was right, of course. Orr won the next 8 Norris trophies and would never again play a full season without winning the trophy.
Talent, skill, and ability like Orr had plays anywhere. Any time, any place. Sure, he beat up on some weak expansion teams. He also beat up on some great NHL teams. Take a look at his stats and the teams he faced in the 1970 and the 1972 playoffs. Even with one leg at the end of his career he was the best player in the Canada Cup. They only thing that could ever stop Orr was his own knees. I think he'd figure out today's NHL and figure it out fast.