This seems like a nice safe thread for a non-participant to gently chime in .... to me, Shore really took a beating in the main project thread, often for reasons that troubled me — not enough for me to interject, but still, a heavy sigh. In a nutshell, some posters knocked him down a few spots because they questioned his “style” of play, even though that “style” was perfectly suited to his era and was seen to be exceptional by both his contemporaries and those who followed. Extremely important player in the history of the game — not an Orr, but close behind.
Wasnt following the convo here that closely but to be expected I guess as time & fortune, those who have followed.... not been kind to Eddie Shore. He was Doug Harvey before Doug Harvey and Bobby Orr before Bobby Orr. Long before these "kids" were even glints in their Pappy's eyes. He changed the way the position was played and had he not done so, entirely probable no Harvey, no Orr. He electrified the very game itself with his play and sure, villainous acts as a Player, later on as a Coach, Club Owner. One of if not the singularly most colorful & influential players the games ever known, will know.
Set whole new Benchmarks. Created the template as to what it takes to become a great Defenceman, player. The willingness to be selfless, self sacrificing & to be ever the opportunist while simultaneously being responsible to your teammates & to "team". That if you cant take it, dont dish it out. If you cant take it, get off the ice because if you dont, you may well find yourself carted off on a gurney or leaving zipped up in a body bag. New Rules. Eddys Rules. He along with Horner & others, they laid down those rails with their own blood, sweat, broken joints, limbs, teeth & severed ears.
