Unless the Toronto Maple Leafs start winning pretty soon, GM Brian Burke’s recent trade with the Boston Bruins for injured 36-goal scorer Phil Kessel is going to drastically swing in favour of the Beantowners.
Burke gave up two first round picks and a second rounder for the 21-year-old forward and then promptly signed him to a five-year $27 million contract. The problem is, he let his personal feelings interfere with his job, which is trying to improve the team at the lowest cost possible.
Burke was in the driver’s seat all along when it came to the deal as the restricted free agent Kessel flat out told the Bruins he had no interest in playing for them anymore. In fact, even if Kessel had wanted to stay with the team, it still didn’t seem likely to happen as Boston was basically already at the salary cap. This is when Burke should have pounced and tendered an offer sheet to Kessel as there’s no way the Bruins would have been able to match it unless they did some serious salary juggling to make room for Kessel’s contract, especially at over $5 million a year.
The problem is, Burke let his personal feelings enter the transaction and the Leafs paid for it by trading away an extra first round pick, which could turn out to be in the top eight if the club doesn’t turn the ship around over the next season. If Burke would have went to Kessel with an offer sheet and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli couldn’t match it, Boston would have only received a first, second, and third round pick for losing him.
While Kessel may turn out to be a very productive player for the Leafs in the future, Burke should have at least tried to get him for lower draft picks. He basically had the Bruins at his mercy, but his dislike for offer sheets clouded his vision and it cost the club more than it should have. What most fans also forget is that Burke made a deal with Chiarelli before acquiring Kessel in which he gave up a second and third round pick to Boston in return for a second rounder, therefore losing another draft pick in the process.
Burke’s dislike for offer sheets stems back to the summer of 2007 when he was the GM of Anaheim and his Edmonton Oilers’ counterpart Kevin Lowe tendered a $21.25 million, five-year offer sheet to Ducks’ restricted free agent forward Dustin Penner. Burke couldn’t match the offer and although he received adequate compensation in the way of draft picks, he’s been crying about it ever since.
But offering contracts to restricted free agents is well within the rules. However, it’s hardly utilized these days. It is the strategy Brian Burke should have used to land the player the Leafs wanted while retaining an all-important first round draft pick. This is especially true while trading for an injured player. While Kessel may come back as strong as ever, there’s also a chance his shoulder surgery won’t allow him to shoot the puck like he used to. If Burke is getting paid to improve the Leafs in the most effective manner, he didn’t really do a good job of it with the Kessel deal.
Toronto – It has been less that a year since Brian Burke took the reigns as the Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager but already the team has a new look and some much needed optimism in a city that was starved for it. Having to clean up the mess left behind by the previous GMs John Ferguson Jr. and Cliff Fletcher Burke still has some work ahead him but the wheels are already in motion.
Stating all along that he wanted this team to be more “truculent and tougher” Burkes first move when taking over was to bring in an old friend in winger Brad May from Anaheim. More for his locker room presence than anything May was very long in the tooth and ended up costing Toronto nothing in terms of any type of return; May was instrumental in helping rookie Luke Schenn in his development even moving in with the young star during the season. Not expected to return this season May was a great pickup for nothing.
At the end of the regular season Burke worked his magic and signed a couple of overage college players in Christian Hanson and Tyler Bozak. While Hanson isn’t expected to be more than a third line player Bozak has the potential to be a top six forward and will get every opportunity to ply his trade with a ton of ice time this season.
The trade deadline brought high expectations with names such as Nik Antropov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Vesa Toskala, Dominic Moore and Jason Blake being thrown around Antropov and Moore ended up being the only roster players moved for some valuable second round draft picks. Burke showed his genius with an inventive deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning literally buying a fourth round draft pick in exchange for some garbage contracts causing a stir among fellow GMs around the league Burke showed off his Harvard law degree with this move.
Vowing to try to trade up in the entry draft to land coveted prospect John Tavares or even within the top five draft choices to get a shot at Luke’s brother Brayden Schenn Burke could not find a dance partner and wound up where they started selecting with their own pick in the number seven spot taking Nazem Kadri. The Kadri pick combined with all the trade talk that seemed to fall through Leaf fans, not exactly known for their patience, were starting to vent expecting Swedish stud Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson or defenseman Jared Cowen to be selected. Topping off the day in Leaf nation was the talk of a potential blockbuster deal that would send longtime Maple Leaf blueliner Tomas Kaberle to the rival Bruins in exchange for potential 40-goal sniper Phil Kessel and a draft pick. Miscommunication between the two clubs nixed the trade that many NHL experts expected to be a “sure thing.” Toronto fans were not pleased with many jumping off the bandwagon.
If draft day was a letdown the off season was anything but; free agent signings Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and the gem of the UFA season, netminder Jonas Gustavsson, “the best goalie outside the NHL” as has been said numerous times were all signed. Pavel Kubina was dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers for another heavy hitting defenseman Grant Exelby and potential third line agitator Colin Stuart. With the logjam of Leaf blueliners now at ten something has to give. Rumors are swirling of Kaberle being traded to either St. Louis, who are in dire need of a veteran puck moving defenseman, or to the Bruins for Kessel in a reworked draft day deal that went sour. Kessel would fill the Leafs biggest need right now, a slick top line goal scorer.
Burke may not be finished signing free agents; Anthony Stewart and Travis Moen have both been linked to Toronto and both seem to fit Burke statements of getting bigger and tougher up front.
Retooling rather than rebuilding Burke fully expects this team to make the playoffs from now on under his watchful eye. Judging by his first year on the job the Leafs bandwagon might not have enough room to seat everybody with each move he makes more and more people are buying into what Burke is selling. For the first time in a long time there is optimism in Leaf nation.
A lot of things are going on in the NHL these days. This is the time of year when rumors swirl, and the on ice product gets evaluated. Whether its players, coaches or managers, jobs will start to be questioned. Some teams just don’t look right at this point and changes will have to be made if goals and expectations are to be met.
Brian Burke – The worst kept secret in hockey, might officially come to an end soon. Brian Burke has left his post as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks, for personal reasons, which will clear his path to Toronto. Burke led the Ducks to a cup in a couple years back and has long been rumored for the vacant Maple Leaf job. The reason Burke wanted out of Anaheim is simple he has family on the east coast and the travel has just become to much for him and his family. Brian didn’t just quit on the Ducks, he informed them he wouldn’t sign an extension past this season and they decided to go in another direction. The rebuilding Maple Leafs have been linked to Burke ever since they fired John Ferguson Jr as there GM last season. It will take a week or two for all the papers to be signed and for Burke to be able to negotiate with another team. That team will be Toronto and I don’t see any way he doesn’t become the next GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is going to be fun, the outspoken Burke and the media in Toronto should be entertaining to say the least. Whether you think Burke is the right man for the Maple Leaf job or not, you have to hope that if he takes the job, they will give him the power to build the team as he chooses. Toronto needs some stability and direction and Burke will give them that. Hire him Toronto, give him what he wants and the time to get this franchise heading in the right direction.
Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended for two games for an elbow the other night against the Canadiens.
Brendan Shanahan - Well, a future Hall of Famer looks to be returning to the NHL soon. His destination is yet to be determined and the rumors are swirling. Brendan would like to stay close to New York where his family is, but it won’t be with the Rangers. That would make it seem like he will either sign in New Jersey or Philadelphia. I don’t know if these are the best places for Shanny to play, Philadelphia is already very deep up front and New Jersey plays a defense first system. Brendan has done a lot of things in this league and I think he still has the ability to put the puck in the net. He can help a power play and give some veteran leadership in a locker room. I would like to see Shanahan go to a younger team and help them get to the next level, Chicago would be perfect. If Brendan wants to win a cup this year, how about adding some depth to the forward lines in Pittsburgh or provide some leadership in Buffalo. Where ever he goes I am glad he is going to come back, he is one of my favorite players and the league is better with him. For my money I think he will sign somewhere close to New York, but if he keeps his options open, most teams in the league would love to have a guy like Shanny on there team.
Columbus Blue Jackets activated Pascal Leclaire off the injured reserve and is expected between the pipes soon. Pascal got off to a bad start this year, but he is one of the best young goalies in the league, who has shown the ability to get shutouts and lead the Jackets to wins.
Alexander Semin still leads the league in three major categories, goals (13), points (27) and plus / minus ( +17). Everyone already new Semin has the ability to be a top notch player in this league, he is now just starting to perform on a nightly basis. He keeps this pace up he will be the MVP at seasons end.
Tampa Bay Lightning – There are some major problems with this team, and not the ones everyone expected they would have pre season. I for one never thought this team would have no trouble scoring goals with guys like Lecavalier, St Louis, Malone, Prospal and Stamkos. This team has managed just 31 goals in 15 games so far, just over two a game, by far the worst production in the league. There is way to much talent here to be this bad, the big question is why? Well, I don’t really know, but they have done a lot of line juggling and made a lot of changes before the year. Basically this is an entirely new dressing room and it is possible the team just hasn’t gelled. I for one thought the Lightning would play a lot of high scoring games this season, and defense would be there problem ultimately. Fixing this problem will not be easy, the last thing you want to do is disrupt that room again and move more players in and out. The coach is also new this season, and the owners and the general manager. The best thing I could suggest here is be patient, and wait and see if this group of guys can work it out, but I doubt they will be.
The NHL is in full swing, and there are great games every night. It is that time of year when gossip gets around and people search for things to talk about. If you like to keep up with the rumors that’s fine, just take it with a “grain of salt” and wait and see what happens. Gossip and rumors are all for entertainment purposes, enjoy the product on the ice.
On Saturday October 25th, there will 15 games in 15 cities in 1 night. Everyone is involved and there will be some great match ups. The 15 games will match rivalries, struggling teams and teams off to fast starts. For all you fantasy hockey players out there, this night will go along way to showing who has the best teams in your league. I love it when the National Hockey League has this many games in one night, there is something for every fan to watch. This will be a night to watch, the hockey will exciting and entertaining. I am going to tee up a few games you should watch this night.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators
The first battle of an Ontario of this season, and both teams will be looking to have a good showing. The Maple Leafs have started off better then some expected and they would like nothing more then to beat the Sens on Hockey Night in Canada. Ottawa on the other hand is off to a tough start, and already seem to have a goalie controversy. Martin Gerber is off to a bad start and the Senators coaching staff is searching for ways to win. They have split up there big three, Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza, trying to find the mix that will work. The Maple Leafs lineup has been different every night and you never know who will be in there. The Leafs don’t have near the talent of the Sens, but they work hard and play a good defensive system. These teams are kind of opposites Ottawa has no problems scoring while that is the Leafs biggest problem. Toskala is Toronto’s advantage in net, while Gerber just can’t figure it out in Ottawa. There might some new players and the teams might not be as good as they once were, but that doesn’t change the fact these franchises don’t like each other. If Ottawa gets decent goaltending and defense they should win, but you can’t count on that.
New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers
Philly still hasn’t won a game this year and if they want to get that win on Saturday they will have to beat future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur. Brodeur is off to an amazing start and has proved that he is still the best goalie in the National Hockey League. Philadelphia is deep up front, but struggle playing defense and haven’t gotten very good goaltending thus far. The Flyers have to win eventually, they are to good to be playing this bad. They will be hard pressed to beat the Devils trap. These two franchises are in the same division and that usually makes for a high energy game. Every time the Devils play you have to expect a low scoring game, they will trap from the drop of the puck to the last buzzer. It’s the only afternoon game and probably won’t be the most exciting game you have ever seen. If the Flyers want to win there defense is going to have to play way better then they have and they will have to take advantage of any opportunity the Devils give them. The Flyers can score, but the question is can they score on the Devils.
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are young and this game will be a measuring stick for them. In the past couple of years Chicago has played Detroit well and have had more success against them then any other franchise. Detroit is off to a fine start, but haven’t been as dominate to start the year as some predicted. Detroit is still the better team then Chicago, but the Hawks have some good young talent. The Blackhawks will be up for this game and look to continue there dominance of the Wings. Since Quenneville took over as the coach in Chicago, the team has played well and look like they might just be a playoff team this year. Both teams can score at will sometimes and to win this game the goalies will have to play well. If you like to watch stars this will be the game for you, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa and Lidstrom vs. Kane, Toews, Havlat and Campbell. This should be a high energy, fast game that might be the most entertaining of the evening.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Two of the best teams in the East will do battle on Saturday night. Since Pittsburgh have started playing there super stars Malkin and Crosby together they have been on fire. New York has slowed a little bit, but still boast two very good scoring lines. The story early on has been the Rangers second line of Zherdev, Voros and Dubinsky who have played great hockey and produced for the blue shirts. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist is off to a great start and the Penguins have a good goalie of there own in Marc Andre Fleury. This will be a premiere match up and I don’t think it will disappoint. Any time you get a chance to see great players and great teams go head to head it makes for great entertainment. There might even be some fights in this game, and I look for a tough physical affair. You can’t go wrong if this is the game you choose to watch, big stars, big game and on a big stage.
Other big games on this night will be Canucks vs Oilers, San Jose vs Tampa Bay and Anaheim vs Montreal. This should be a whole night of great National Hockey League action, and will make all hockey fans extremely happy. Whether you like offense, defense or physical play you will be able to find a game for you on Saturday October 25th. Enjoy the action and for all you fantasy players I hope you have a big night.
Thursday October 9th, the NHL season gets under way in North America. Hockey fans will be treated to an original six match up between Toronto and Detroit. There will be lots of festivities before the game including concerts and the Stanley Cup banner being raised at Joe Louis Arena. This is an old rivalry that we haven’t seen a lot recently with the two teams being in different conferences, and I am sure fans of both franchises are excited. This year on paper it looks like a major mis match with both teams moving in different directions. The Red Wings looking for another run at the Cup and the Maple Leafs well who knows what they are doing. Detroit beat Toronto in two pre season games, but we all know pre season doesn’t matter. Lets go over the key parts of the game and see who has the edge.
Top Six Forwards – This is where the mismatch is most prevalent. The Wings top six is among the best in the league with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, Holmstrom, Franzen and Hudler. The Leafs top two lines are hard to define, but it looks like Antropov, Ponikarovski, Grabovski, Blake, Stajan and Steen. Both offensively and defensively Detroit has a big advantage here, and will look to exploit the lack of talent in Toronto’s top six. Whatever the line combinations are the Wings will have more flexibility and will be able to mix and match to find combinations that will work. Toronto’s top two lines are going to have to work extremely hard and hope Detroit isn’t on top of there game. The advantage goes to Detroit on the basis that they obviously have way more talent up front then the Leafs.
Defense - The Leafs D will be led by Kaberle and Kubina, with other defenseman like Schenn, Van Ryn, Colaiacovo and Stralman filling the roster out. This might be Toronto’s strength, but on this night they will have to be at the top of there game to slow down the Wings offense. Detroit has the best top four D in Hockey with Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart. They will put out a talented offensive pair and a physical pair to give Toronto different looks. The third pair in Detroit will be Lebda and Lilja, who both played during last springs Stanley Cup final. Detroit’s defense is definitely deeper then Toronto’s and has more skill. Schenn is a rookie and I wouldn’t look for him to play to much, Toronto will look to protect him against the talented Wings. I don’t mind the Leafs D, Kaberle is a good number one guy and Kubina and Van Ryn are solid NHL defenseman. The facts are that Detroit’s defense is better and they will have little or no trouble with Toronto’s forwards. Once again you have to give the advantage to the Red Wings because of talent and experience.
Goalies – The Maple Leafs best player is there starting goalie Vesa Toskala. Toskala is an excellent net minder, and he will have to play great to give Toronto an opportunity to win. There is no questioning Toskala’s talent, but he will see a lot of shots from great NHL goal scorers. Detroit will counter with NHL veteran Chris Osgood. Osgood isn’t the most talented guy in the world, but he is an experienced winner. The Wings allow the fewest shots in the league and all Chris has to do is make a few key stops throughout the game. Talent wise Toskala is better, but Osgood is more experienced. Basically Osgood will have an easier night playing for the Wings, but if Toskala could stand on his head and frustrate the Wings. The goalies are hard to compare, I call it a scratch, this game might just come down to which goalie makes the saves in key spots in the game.
Depth – The experience edge goes Detroit with vets like Draper, Maltby, Cleary and Filppula, but Toronto does have some solid depth guys. Mayers, Mitchell, Tlusty and Moore will fill out Toronto’s forward lines. The depth guys in Toronto are in a fight for there careers and will be looking to play hard and keep there roster spots. The Wings have a ton of experience with guys like Draper and Maltby having four Stanley Cup rings each. Maple Leafs forwards will be hard to play against, they might not be the most talented, but they will work hard. Depth wins hockey games, and both teams think they are ready for the challenge. The Detroit guys are already proven, while a lot of the Toronto guys will be looking to prove they are NHL players. As a depth player you need to solid defensive players and be tough to play against on a nightly basis. Red Wings depth guys are proven and have some offensive up side, that make them better then Toronto’s.
Obviously on paper this is major mis match, Detroit has more talent and experience. The games are played on the ice and not on paper. The Maple Leaf players will show up and work hard, the last thing they want is to be embarrassed in a national game on the opening game of the season. To win Vesa Toskala will have to be on top of his game for the leafs and they will need to find a line that can put pressure on the Wings D. The Wings players will have a lot going on Thursday night, they will receive there rings, there will be banner raising ceremony and lots of media. If the Wings players can stay focused through all the distractions they should win this hockey game and get off to the start they are looking for. Unlike most I don’t think this game will be a blow out, the Maple Leaf players will play hard and Vesa Toskala will have a great game. My prediction Detroit wins 4 – 2 having a great third period to come out with the win.
Philadelphia Flyers – The Flyers had a big bounce back year last season, coming from last to making it to the conference finals. The Flyers are deep up front with Briere, Carter, Richards and the return of Gagne. Gagne missed most of last season with concussion problems and could be a major boost to there offense. Philly has a young, but solid defense that should only get better as the year goes on players like Ryan Parent and Brandon Coburn will be looking to prove they belong in the NHL. The key to the Flyers success will be whether or not there goalie Biron plays at the top of his game. If he plays like he did in the playoffs last year, the Flyers will be a good team. If Biron in consistent and they avoid injuries the Flyers will be a playoff team.
Phoenix Coyotes – The Coyotes have been struggling for years, but they went out and improved there young team in the off season. They finally picked up a first line center in all star Olli Jokinen to play along side Shane Doan. That’s not enough in the West they will need contributions from young guys like Kyle Turris and Peter Mueller. They have an excellent goalie with Ilya Bryzgalov and a solid defense led by Ed Jovanovski. This team isn’t very deep yet, but have the talent to make the playoffs. They will play tough hockey and if they avoid the injury bug will battle for one of the final spots in the Western Conference.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Coming off a finals appearance last year, expectations are high on the Pens. They still have two of the best centers in the world with Evgeni Malkin and Sydney Crosby, but the cast around them has changed. They lost some key forwards in the off season and hope guys like Satan, Fedotenko and Cooke can have good years. The injury bug already hit this team losing top defenseman Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, they will be out for extended periods of time. The Penguins are still very good, but not as good as they were at the end of last season. With the injuries on defense it looks like that will be there weakness and will put a lot of pressure on Fleury in net. Pittsburgh is a playoff team, but I don’t think they will have a run at the Cup like they did last year.
San Jose Sharks – Perennial favorites in the West, they look like a good team again. They have a new coach and a new system that they hope will take them from contenders to champions. They have great goaltending in Nabokov and talented forwards like Thornton and Marleau. They got the puck moving defenseman they needed in Dan Boyle and they rest of the D looks pretty good. We will have to wait and see with the Sharks, definitely a playoff team, but there year will be evaluated after the playoffs. I think if they don’t at least make the conference finals, there season will be a failure.
St Louis Blues – Looks like the Blues are going to struggle yet again and try to build towards future years. They have some solid vets with Kariya, Tkachuk, Brewer and goalie Legace. This year will be about bringing along there young talented players like T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Alex Pietrangelo if he makes the team. The Blues are moving in the right direction and with a couple more good drafts they should be set up well for the future. For the fans out there be patient with this team, they probably aren’t going to be very good this year.
Tampa Bay Lightning - This is not the last place Lightning, they have completely retooled there line up. It started when they drafted Steven Stamkos and then signed free agents Ryan Malone, Radim Vrbata, Vaclav Prospal and Gary Roberts. That gives them a solid four lines up front, the question marks will come from defense and goalie. The defense is unproven and the goalie tandem of Smith and Kolzig isn’t great. This team is going to score goals, the question will be whether or not they can stop them. Look for a lot of high scoring games when you watch the Lightning this year. In the East I think they are good enough, there division isn’t very good and I think they will fight it out for the division title.
Toronto Maple Leafs - The Leafs have some of the most die hard fans in all of sports, and this year will test there patience. The Leafs are not good, but at least they some changes. The big problem is goal scoring, they have no true goal scorers or top line players on the team. They still have Toskala in net and he should get them some wins. The defense isn’t to bad with Kaberle and Kubina, but they will have to be excellent for them to make the playoffs. The Leafs aren’t a playoff team and they might not say it, but they hope to get the 1st overall pick in next years draft and grab Tavares.
Vancouver Canucks - They had a great pre season and will look to continue that trend. Luongo there goalie has been named team captain and will lead this team all year. They have a great defense, but are a little thin in the goal scoring department. To make the playoffs they need great years from the Sedin Twins and Pavel Demitra. Luongo is great and will keep them in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they will have to fight it out with a few teams for the final couple spots.
Washington Capitols – Alex Ovechkin is the best goal scorer in the NHL and will lead this team. The Caps will be looking to build on last years success with a good mix of veterans and young guys. The problem might be in net with Jose Theodore, if he is good the Caps will be good. I like this team and I think they will make the playoffs, but there not quite ready for a big run at the Stanley Cup.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967 it would be the last in the original six period. The league had become a success both financially and on television and faced pressure to expand. With the fear of competing leagues and the search for high priced television contracts the NHL added six teams for the 1967-1968 season. These six new teams would form their own division and compete with the already established original six. With the new teams playing in their own division it guaranteed one of the new teams would play for the Stanley Cup.
The six cities that were selected were California Seals , St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. Unlike other professional sports leagues in North America, the NHL choose add all teams in one season. The biggest fear upon expanding the league was that the play would weaken with double the amount of players in the league. To fill the new rosters the NHL held an Expansion Draft in the summer of 1967, and each of the new six teams would pick 20 players from the existing NHL rosters. Some big names found their way to new franchises the Los Angeles Kings selected the legendary Terry Sawchuk from Toronto, the Maple Leafs also lost Bob Baun to the California Seals. Bruins goalie Bernie Parent went to Philadelphia and Glenn Hall moved from Chicago to St. Louis. The NHL also increased it schedule having each team play 74 games, increased from 70 games. The top four teams from each division would make the playoffs, and you would have to win three seven game series to win the Cup.
When the 1967-1968 season started it was clear the original six teams were still by far the class of the league. The Montreal Canadians won the regular season title and ended up facing the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal easily beat St. Louis in four games to claim Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Chicago Blackhawks forward Stan Mikita led the league with 87 points and claimed Most Valuable Player honors, Rogatien Vachon and Gump Worsley of Montreal split the best goalie honor and Bobby Hull led the league with 44 goals. The Oakland Seals (California Seals) were the worst team in league finishing with only 15 wins and missed the playoffs by 22 points.
In the 1967 season a young defenseman from Boston named Bobby Orr won the Calder Trophy (top Rookie), but in the 1968 season you really saw what he was going to become. He won his first Norris Trophy (top defenseman) and he would go on to win eight straight Norris’. Orr’s skill and talent would go on to change the game for ever, and is widely considered the best defenseman in NHL history. He was faster and stronger then most NHL players and he used those skills to score the famous Cup winning goal in 1970.
The Original NHL expansion in 1967-1968 expansion was a success for the league. Four of the franchises still play in their original locations Philadelphia, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Philadelphia Flyers won the first Cup from an expansion team in 1974 and once again in 1975 led by forward Bobby Clarke and goalie Bernie Parent. Philadelphia has become one of the best hockey markets in the world, with devoted fans who love their tough Flyers.
In 1970 the NHL expanded again and added the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres. The expansion continues in 1972-1973 adding the Atlanta Flames and the New York Islanders and once again in 1974-1975 adding the Kansas City Scouts and the Washington Capitols. By this time some of the franchises were having troubles and would be relocated. The league now had 18 teams located all over North America, but not all the locations were selected well. The California Golden Seals had to move to Cleveland and Kansas City had to move to Colorado. Even after the move the original California franchise, that was now in Cleveland was forced to merge with the North Stars in Minnesota. The 70’s was a turbulent time for the NHL, lots of new teams and current teams finding new locations.
The 1970’s were ruled by the Montreal Canadian’s dynasty, Montreal won multiple cups. Led by exciting forward Guy Lafleur, defenseman Larry Robinson and solid goaltending by Ken Dryden. Lafleur was a first overall pick by the Canadians and played his first season in the 1971-1972 season. By the 1974 season Guy had become one of the if not the best player in the NHL and was a fan favorite at the infamous Montreal Forum. In the 1974-1975 season Lafleur almost doubled his career high in points in a season recording over 50 goals and 100 points, he would go on repeat those numbers for the next 5 years. For six straight years Guy was on top and leading the best team in the NHL, on his way to becoming the highest scoring player in Canadians history. Marcel Dionne was another player who was on top of his game in the 70’s, playing with both the Red Wings and the Kings he scored 40 plus goals six times in the decade. Unlike Lafleur, Dionne never had the team success with Los Angeles or Detroit.
In 1967 the NHL decided to expand and really has never stopped since. The decision to put 6 teams in to the league in one season was controversial, but ultimately successful. Four of those original six expansion franchises exist in their original form. The NHL continued to expand to its original state, with some great moves and some moves that didn’t work out. The truth of the matter is that if the NHL doesn’t expand in the 60’s we will never know what would have happened, but you can be assured the league benefitted from it. The expansion years caused a changing of the guard in the NHL, new owners, new players and eventually the need for European players.
Although the National Hockey League had been around for some time in 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded the league was left with six. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks were left and it stayed the same for the next 25 years.
The Stanley Cup, is awarded annually to the Champion of the NHL. Unique to the National Hockey League the same Stanley Cup is awarded ever year and carries a lot of history and tradition. The name of the winning players, coaches, management, and staff are engraved on it for future generations to appreciate. The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley to be presented to the best amateur hockey team in Canada, but was purchased by the NHL in 1947, although he had been contested for by the NHL since 1926.
The 25 year original six era was dominated by dynasties. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup nine times in the 25 years, but have not been able to win it since 1967. The Montreal Canadians won five straight Stanley Cups 1956 – 1960, led by “The Rocket”. From 1948-1954 the Detroit Red Wings won seven consecutive regular season titles, no other team in NHL history have ever matched there regular season success.
Maurice “The Rocket” Richard of the Montreal Canadians became the first player to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-1945. Scoring 50 goals became the mark that all NHL goal scorers would try and reach, and is still the benchmark today.” The Rocket” played in Montreal from 1942 to 1960 and was widely considered the best player in the game and was idolized by Canadians fans. Richard was the first player to reach 500 goals in a career, he had 544 goals and 965 points over his career with Montreal.
Gordie Howe or Mr Hockey as you may know him played his first professional game in 1946 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He was an 18 year old right winger, who quickly established himself as a tremendous goal scorer and play maker. Gordie was a great goal scorer, but its important not to over look his physical toughness, he was as feisty as they come not shying away from fights. The saying “Gordie Howe hat trick” was coined for the way Gordie played. a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game. Mr. Hockey’s career spanned five decades and he retired as the highest scoring player in NHL history. Howe and Richard will go down as the best players of the era and be compared to each other forever.
In 1958 the colour barrier was broken in the NHL when Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins. Willie only played 45 career NHL games, and faced constant taunts and racism, he scored four goals in his career. In 1956 Jacques Plante a goalie with the Montreal Canadians became the first to wear a face mask. Hard to imagine today, but goaltenders used to block shots with nothing protecting there face from the puck. Plante was good , but Terry Sawchuk was arguably the best goalie of the Era. Terry made his NHL debut in 1950 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings and amassed 501 wins and 115 shutouts over his career (including playoffs) Terry helped lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to there final Stanley cup in 1967.
In the early days a lot of the NHL was controlled by the Norris family, they had a stake in as many as four NHL teams. The Norris family owned the Detroit Red Wings, had a partnership with the Blackhawks and had control of Madison Square Gardens where the New York Rangers played. The Chicago Blackhawks history has always been one of disappointment, never having a team that was dominant for an extended period of time. Chicago did win a cup in 1961 led by the newly acquired Ted Lindsay and Glen Hall, but haven’t managed to win one since.
In 1952, Hockey Night in Canada was brought to the airways. The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) put a hockey game between t
weekly game quickly became the highest rated shows on Canadian television and still is highly rated to this day. The first players union was introduced in 1957, by Red Wings forward Ted Lindsay as a result of the owners not opening up the books. The players wanted increased wages and pensions, this caused a rift between the players and the ownership and Lindsay was traded to the Blackhawks as a punishment.
The NHL has had its ups and downs in its historic run as the dominant hockey league in the world. A lot of hockey people will tell you that between 1942 and 1967 you could have witnessed the best game ever. The rivalries were great between the teams and there players. Dynasties ruled the era with the Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple and Detroit Red Wings battling it out every year for the right to win Lord Stanley’s Cup. Hockey will never be as pure as it was in the original six era, we will never see players like Gordie Howe or Maurice Richard in today’s game. The mixture or skill and toughness made the game exciting no matter what brand of hockey you preferred. Along the way technology made the game more excess able and a lot of people were exposed to the game for the first time. All hockey fans should look back at the history, I guarantee you will have a better appreciation for the game. The NHL is full of history that is un-matched in any other professional leagues. Hockey players dream of skating around the ice lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup or having there name written along the sides of there idols.
Unless the Toronto Maple Leafs start winning pretty soon, GM Brian Burke’s recent trade with the Boston Bruins for injured 36-goal scorer Phil Kessel is going to drastically swing in favour of the Beantowners.
Michael Lindow
