There is little doubt that the Boston Bruins, winless in their first eight games this season, could use a talent the caliber of one Robert Gordon Orr. Of course, that would necessitate spending some money, something the team has never been particularly inclined to do.

When Boston GM Harry Sinden walked away from an arbitrator's award to Dmitri Khristich and refused to gave in to star goalie Byron Dafoe's contract demands this summer, he became the poster boy of virtue for the tight-fisted set. But in reality, he was merely keeping with a franchise tradition, one that almost prevented a hockey legend from suiting up with the team three decades ago.

The Bruins first became aware of Bobby Orr in 1960, when the scrawny 12-year-old from Parry Sound, Ontario, was dominating a tournament for kids two years older than he was. Two years later, Boston signed Orr to a standard "C" contract, giving them his hockey rights for life in exchange for $2,800, a second-hand car and the promise of a new wardrobe.

Orr never got the clothes, but in 1966 when he turned professional, he got himself an agent named Alan Eagleson, who decided the team's $10,250, two-year for Orr would simply not do. Eagleson reminded Bruins GM Hap Emms that a year earlier, the New York Jets gave Joe Namath a three-year, $400,000 to save the franchise, and that unless Boston showed him the money, Orr would go to college.

Emms fumed, but he couldn't overlook the fact that the franchise had gone 25 years without a Stanley Cup, and had missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, including six last-place finishes. He gave Orr $80,000 over two seasons, the largest contract an NHL rookie had ever signed, and told him to turn around the franchise.

Orr did, even though gimpy knees limited his career to only nine seasons. During that time, Orr won eight Norris trophies as the league's best defenseman, three MVP awards, two scoring titles (the first and only blueliner to do so), two playoff MVP awards and, of course, the Rookie of the Year award. Oh yes, the Bruins also won two Stanley Cups.

Bobby Orr changed the way defensemen played hockey.(AP)

Just how good was he?

Well, his one-time teammate Phil Esposito said Orr "changed the face of hockey all by himself," while former New York Rangers defenseman Harry Howell, who won the Norris Trophy in Orr's rookie year, noted he was glad to win when he did, because, "It's going to belong to Orr from now on."

And the legendary Gordie Howe answered a question about what he thought was Orr's greatest move by saying: "Putting on his (expletive) skates!"

Orr was everything to the Bruins that was advertised, turning around a franchise and helping get the career of a young coach named off on the right foot. The coach's name? Harry Sinden.

It all began on this date, October 19, 1966, when Orr played his first game in the National Hockey League. Here are some of the other great moments in hockey history that took place during the week of October 18-23.

October 19

Maurice Richard was a legend on and off the ice. (AP)

Maurice "Rocket" Richard was a man who not only excited hockey fans, but who stirred passions throughout a nation. His mercurial temper got him suspended for the 1955 playoffs and caused a riot in the streets of Montreal that became a defining moment in the French-speaking province of Quebec's historical drive toward political independence. That event will always be part of his legacy, even though his exploits on the ice for the Montreal Canadiens should be all that is necessary. One of his greatest achievements came on this date in 1957, when the Rocket took a pass from Jean Beliveau late in the first period and beat Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Glenn Hall to become the first player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.

October 19

Patrick Marleau got started early with San Jose(Allsport)

Hockey players are often said to be kids at heart, but sometimes, the guys skating for NHL teams really are kids. Certainly Patrick Marleau was when he became the second-youngest player in the last 50 years to score his first NHL goal. The San Jose Sharks player was 18 years, one month and four days old when he scored on this date in 1997 during a 5-3 loss at Phoenix. Marleau birthday is two days after Grant Mulvey, who scored his first NHL goal at the age of 18 -- also on October 19 -- for Chicago during the 1974 season.

October 20

Gordie Howe was hockey's quintessential All-Star.(Allsport)

Times have certainly changed in the National Hockey League, so much so, that few fans likely remember that the annual All-Star Game used to be played before the season started. The last time that happened was on this date in 1965, when Gordie Howe scored two goals -- one short-handed goal and the other the game-winner -- to lead the All-Stars to a 5-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens.

October 21

The B's logo is on Ray Bourque's chest and in his heart.(Allsport)

His name may not be the first response in a word association game that asks you to match up the Bruins and great defenseman, but it certainly would be the second. Now in his 21st season as a professional, Ray Bourque has crafted a sure-fire Hall of Fame career, winning the Norris Trophy five times, and being named to the All-Star team 18 times. On this date in 1997, he became the fifth NHL defenseman in history to play in 1,300 regular-season games, a tribute not only to his durability, but also to his loyalty. Despite playing in an era marked by extensive free-agent movement, Bourque has remained a Bruin throughout his career. Only Alex Delvecchio, who played in 1,549 games for Detroit, appeared in more contests for one club.

October 23

Bobby Orr's shots rarely missed their targets.(Allsport)

We told you earlier about the impact Bobby Orr had in opening up the National Hockey League by getting involved in the offensive side of the game. People who saw him play got an inkling of what was about to come on this date in 1966. Playing in only his second game, the rookie fired a shot past Montreal netminder Gump Worsley at 4:13 of the third period for the first goal of his career. It was a pure Bobby Orr goal -- nobody had to assist.