Rather than do a line-by-line analysis, I thought I'd do a position by position analysis of our two teams. This may take me a while, so be prepared for this post to be incomplete.
Centers
Norm Ullman vs. Syl Apps
Sturm has already addressed this in an earlier post (
http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=14232933&postcount=12). Quite frankly, there is little difference between the two. Apps got more love during his day as a player (All-Star voting and Hart Trophy voting), but in terms of offensive impact there is little to differentiate the two. Ullman is arguably the better defensive player, Apps is arguably the better leader. So this is really a wash IMO.
Bobby Smith vs. Duke Keats
This matchup will probably garner the most disparate conclusions. Keats dominated his League to a much greater degree than what Smith did, albeit in the WCHL. Smith had a much longer and far more prolific career, but it is questionable that he ever hit that peak that Keats had. So what do you take as the most important component of an athlete's ability, peak value or career value? The one component that does differentiate them in a substantial way is Keats' well-known temper. Keats will undoubtedly be spending a lot of time in the penalty box or in the press box when suspended, whereas Smith provides you a more consistent effort night-in, night-out. Physically they probably are equal as well, with a slight edge to Smith on pure size, and a slight edge to Keats on toughness. Keats was a larger man for his time (5'11" 195), and Smith was a big body as well (6'4" 210). So this comes down to what you value the most, peak or career. Simply because of Keats fiery temper, I have to give Smith the slight nod here. He'll be in the lineup when you need him, giving you what you need to win. Keats could win you the game, or lose you the game.
Walt Tkaczuk vs. Gregg Sheppard
Another dead-even heat. Tkaczuk is arguably the better defensive player, while Sheppard is arguably the better offensive player. Neither are deficient in any way, both are great two-way players. Both were noted for their PK ability and their ability to stop the opposition's best player. Tkaczuk may have the physical advantage, Pelletier lauds him in his article (
http://nyrangerslegends.blogspot.com/2006/05/walt-tkaczuk.html), and Esposito stated that
"I've never run into anyone tougher. Ever," said Espo of Tkaczuk. "Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia gives me fits because he's so fast and persistent. Jim Harrison in Toronto was as strong as a horse but Tkaczuk had a combination of those qualities."
Sheppard, on the other hand, was a smaller player who was noted for his clean play on rough Bruin teams. So, this is a question of what you're looking for in your 3rd line center. Want more offense? Take Sheppard. Want more toughness and defensive play? Take Tkaczuk.
Pit Martin vs. Dale Hunter
I'll be honest. I like Dale Hunter here better. Notoriously dirty/hard-nosed, Hunter was the heart of those good Nordique teams of the 80's, and went on to Captain those good Cap teams of the late 80's early-90's. That's not to say that Martin is a schlub. Pit is a very good player, and his stats back that up, but he had the unfortunate luck of being involved in the Esposito trade, and that probably put a dampener on what could have been an even better career (imagine Pit Martin centering Hodge and Cashman). He had a very good career, and adds a nice dynamic to our 4th line, but Hunter simply outmatches Pit. It's an edge to the 67's. Not a rout, but a clear edge.
