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If you buy that "plus/minus" gives you the best picture of the most complete hockey player, it's not even close. Even though they didn't award for it during Orr's day, he led the NHL in +/- for 6 years, and never finished with a minus rating. Including the all time record of +124 in 1970-1971. Except for when he was in the box himself, he played on the PK unit, and always was at the left point on the PP. They didn't record time on ice back then, but he routinely played over 30 minutes a game. Only two players have ever finished a season with a +100 or more rating---Orr and Larry Robinson, and the case is closed there for "best defensemen ever". Because in addition to being a scoring machine, Orr played defense.
Gretzky led the league in +/- 3 times, but, he also finished with a minus rating 7 times over his career. Which, granted, was twice as long as Orr's.
Both made everyone around them better, too.
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