What happened: The Aug. 26, 1971 agreement made Orr the NHL's first million-dollar player. He followed it by helping Boston win the 1972 Stanley Cup.
Why it matters: The deal established a new salary threshold for hockey's biggest stars. Its five-year structure also tied Orr's record-setting pay to the heart of his Bruins tenure.
By the numbers: Orr recorded at least 101 points in each of the contract's first four seasons. Knee injuries limited him to 10 games in 1975-76.
What to watch: The NHL's 2026-27 season begins Sept. 29, returning attention to the Bruins' current roster.