Tommy Gorman: Not a Good Fit For Pittsburgh's Top 6
Bio: Tommy Gorman - ATD 2013
I think Tommy Gorman is an all-time great coach, but I don't see him working well with this Pittsburgh lineup, particularly the top-6. Gorman's teams were known for their defensive play and heavy forechecking, see the below taken from Sturm's bio...
"In a short series a team has to make the most of all opportunities," he said, "and that was what Maroons did."
He was referring to the stout back checking and sturdy defense which consolidated Maroons' lead, established through goals by left wingers Herb Cain and Baldy Northcott."
"They won the first of the best-of-five series Thursday night here, 3-2, in overtime,
largely because of defensive perfection"
"He coached Chicago to a Stanley Cup triumph last year then shifted to Montreal to teach a notoriously weak defensive team his system of "fore checking" and back checking that carried them to a world's championship."
"The reign of forechecking and its chief sponsor, Thomas Patrick Gorman"
"Forechecking, a new development in professional hockey, instead of the usual rushes and back-checking won the Stanley Cup for the Chicago Blackhawks according to Manager Tommy Gorman. The radical idea developed in the last six weeks of the season, will be generally used throughout the National Hockey League before the end of another season, he added."
"Thomas Patrick Gorman, the Forum's manager who this year looks on at hockey as merely another spectator, must have had his eyes opened by the Leafs' display of
a defensive system he evolved at Chicago in 1933-34 which helped the Black Hawks win their first Stanley Cup,
said system being forechecking."
The above is not at all the type of team that suits Wayne Gretzky. One of the quotes even specifically says forechecking instead of the usual rushes. Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player of all time on the rush, and the system his coach employs does not support that at all. There are also several mentions of defensive systems and backchecking. Among Pittsburgh's top 6, Broadbent really fits this type of system, and Foyston to a lesser extent. That's one player on each line. A Gorman team is is hemming the opposition in their own zone, and backchecking hard, and I do not think Pittsburgh's top 6 is suited for that type of game, and instead would be best employed in a system which leans heavily towards offense.
Pittsburgh's 3rd line is a much better fit for a Gorman team, but this is not enough.
I see this as a major flaw for Pittsburgh, and limiting to their most important player, Wayne Gretzky.
I have to completely disagree with the red bolded part.
Frank Foyston was a great checker in his day. If you check out Rob's bio here
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/posts/114336321/
I think Foyston is a great glue guy for Gretzky-Martinec in that he doesn't have to worry about scoring much or being the engine offensively on the line. He was very apt at digging in the corners, playing a very Tommy Gorman like game througout his career. Ideally you'd like at least 2 players like that on a line but this is a line that will have the puck a good deal anyway and I think the brilliance of Gretzky and Martinec will have a lot to do with that. And while Martinec wasn't a corner man he was absolutely a very responsible/good defender in his day and I think coupled with Foyston on the other wing, provide capable back checking ability which Gorman wants.
I also think it's important to note that Gorman never had anyone remotely close to Gretzky when he coached. It's true that 99 doesn't necessarily fit a Gorman style, but I think it's crazy to think that any coach, past or present wouldn't jump at the chance to get the most dominant offensive player in hockey history (by a mile) into the fold. Gretzky's mere presence forces teams backwards and he's going to be on the ice for nearly half the game most nights.
Our 2nd line is actually quite apt to play a Gorman style. I found a plethora of information on Nels Stewart regarding his defensive abilities during his Montreal days (which made up the first half and prime of his career)
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/posts/141423057/
Changing the narrative on Stewart's 2 biggest "negatives":
There are generally 2 big knocks against Stewart. One, his skating and speed is often cited as being terrible (more on that later). The second is he was a zero sum player defensively. Somebody that should be viewed in the Bill Cowley or Gordie Drillon tier, which is about as bad as you can get. The following accounts should change that mindset to one degree or another. After going through the vast majority of available game reports here is what I unearthed about Stewart's abilities to play a strong defensive game from C/W.
Nels Stewart surprisingly good defensively throughout his Montreal Maroon days. Almost all of these quotes have not been brought forth previously:
Dec 2 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart called a power in defensive play at center ice
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Babe Seibert established himself as the hero of the night along with Nelson Stewart. The playing of this pair was as effective as it was varied. Siebert, the aggressive type, a husky young who works diligently, speedily and fairly cleverly,
while Stewart, though not so flashy, is absolutely finished in his play; tricky, deceptive in attack and a power in defensive play at center ice."
Dec 4 1925 Montreal Gazette: Maroon forwards noted for bottling up the speed of the Canadians before it could get going. Sounds like the Maroon forwards fore checked hard and played up aggressively against an elite squad, featuring Morenz.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Canadians offensive strength was in the brilliant individual efforts of Morenz and Billy Boucher the latter going through practically the entire struggle without rest and without penalty.
This pair were dazzling in their speed, but they were too closely checked to get their combination play going. Montreal forwards played out for the Canadian rushes and as often as possible, checked Canadian's speed before it could get going."
Dec 17 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart again cited for defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"
Nelson Stewart was conspicuous by his breaking-up of Pirate attacks, although he failed to score, he figured on the offense considerably."
Dec 24 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Reg Noble figured in continually stopping Pirates attacks
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"but the trickiest of play by such deceptive stars as Reg Noble and Nelson Stewart was as naught to this fighting aggregation.
They stemmed attacks and carried the play to the other end, only to have to start all over again. And so the battle waged up and down the ice, with the crowd in an uproar as speed was pitted against a machine."
Jan 20 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted for great defense, poke checking many attacks away at center ice.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The Maroons set their great defense to work in the final period with a one goal margin in their favor.
Nels Stewart poked many an attack to the boards at center ice."
Jan 26 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart steals puck from Simpson and passes out to Broadbent.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Mickey Roach substituted for Burch.
Stewart cleverly robbed Simpsons and sending out to Broadbent, who steer the puck into the net, but the referee ruled offside."
Feb 3 1926: Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted as being strong point of Montreal defense, scores a SH goal and poke check was in great form
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Montreal adopted different tactics from those used in previous games this season. The forwards did not chase the puck around the opposing goal with the same persistence, but rather fell back to meet the return rush.
The switch gave Nelson Stewart an opportunity to star in a new role. After a rush, instead of chasing the puck carrier on the return journey back, Stewart immediately dropped behind to mid ice and awaited the rush. Attack after attack he broke up with his sweeping stick and a judicious use of his skates and body. His work as a strong point of the Montreal defensive bulwark."
"Munro drew the first penalty for elbowing Joliat. He had hardly climbed into the bench,
when Nels Stewart stole the puck. The Maroon center swerved by Morenz, completely tricking the Canadian center and shot past Coutu to find the corner of the net. It was a brilliant play especially coming when the Maroons were short."
"With Siebert and Noble in the penalty box Montreal was sent on the defnsive. Montreal ragged and the crowd roared its disapproval.
Nelson Stewart's poke check was greatly in evidence."
Feb 24 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart among multiple Maroon players who thwarted attacks.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The game was another fast, rugged contest. Players were spilled right and left as dash after dash ended against heavy body checking.
Siebert, Stewart and Munro were deadly in dropping Ottawa attackers."
"Stewart was the same crafty leader. He held his own in attack and showed early willingness to get back with Broadbent and cover up the right defense, where Kitchen was filling Noble's place."
"The Maroon center was fairly scintillating in attack. He was tireless in his work and was of inestimable help to the Maroon defense."
Feb 27 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart, in a loss, cited for playing great defense despite being bottled up offensively.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart was unable to accomplish on the offense, being constantly covered. He was doing fine work on the defense and was instrumental in stopping frequent rushes."
Mar2 22 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart, shifted to D in 2nd period, cited for strong pokechecking. FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
Holway's defense was not to strong in the opening period,
so manager Eddie Gerard shifted Nelson Stewart to Dunc Monro's defensive post and he remained there until the end of the game. Stewart's poke checking stood out.
Mar 31 1926 Montreal Gazette: SCF Game 1, Stewart is a monster offensively, defensively, quoted as playing a fast game, etc
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart fairly towered over the pother players on the ice, and he was alone worth the victory which the local team scored in the game under eastern rules.
The Victoria defensive was baffled by the rangy Maroon star. His crafty style of play was something new to them, and they failed to solve his tactics. This player, recently judged the most useful man to his club in the NHL accounted for two goals, the first and last of the game, and both tallies were out of the ordinary. The first, which came after two minutes of play in the initial period was a novel counter, the like of which is seldom witnessed in hockey. Stewart cleared a Victoria rush from close to Benedict's cage. He rushed through the Victoria players at mid ice with long swerving strokes and when he reached the defense, poked the puck through Loughlin. Stewart attempted to round the Victoria captain and defenseman but was spilled face down and full length on the ice....."
"Stewart's second goal came in from the third period less than four minutes from the end of the game. He cleared a rush by Frederickson and started for the Victoria end. He tore down the right wing and Babe Siebert flashed up on the left. At the defense Stewart gave Siebert the puck. The hero of Montreal's league title victory rushed in until almost even with the Victoria net. Stewart was following in fast on the cage and Siebert whipped him a pass. The Maroon star took it in full flight and did not give Holmes a chance to act against the flip from 2 feet out. It was a beautiful play."
"Seibert, Stewart and Broadbent rushed in turn. Then Stewart came down in a tricky rush through center. He evaded the Victoria outer guard, and then slipped the puck past Loughlin. He attempted to recover the disc, but fell. While sliding along the ice, face down, Stewart reached out with his stick, and pushed the puck behind Holmes, who had rushed out from his net to clear. The trick, a novel one, was done in two minutes."
"Frederickson made gallant efforts to get through the Maroon defense. He hit them from every angle and at every pace but Noble and Stewart kept him out. Benedict was having a soft time in the Maroon net."
"Stewart intercepted Fraser's pass to Hart and a dangerous rush by the westerners was wrecked. Stewart and Phillips took play to Holmes net, where they were joined by Dinsmore. All three started to snipe at the Victoria goalie but were thwarted by the brilliant play of Holmes."
"One of the smartest plays of the night brought a third goal Montreal about five minutes before the end of the game.
Stewart cleared when Frederickson fell in rushing. The Maroon start tore down right wing. He gave Siebert a pass. The latter rushed in and whipped the puck back to Stewart at the goal mouth. Traveling like lightning Stewart gave Holmes no chance to save. The time was 16:10."
Apr 2 1926 Montreal Gazette: SCF Game 2, Stewart again dominates up and down the ice. But he is playing as a defensemen here.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The big Maroon start is still an enigma to the Cougars. He has tricked them with such a variety of stunts that they hardly know what to expect. In the first game he slipped the puck through the Vic defense and rounded them to score the first goal while prone on the ice. Last night he rushed to the defense, but instead of around, he crashed between them. Still half off balance from the impact, Stewart kept to his purpose and blazed the puck past Holmes for goal number one."
"Stewart, teaming with Noble, was strong defensively and the biggest threat up forward."
Apr 7 1926: Montreal Gazette: Stewart has another monster game clinching the Cup for the Maroons. Again, Stewart is paired with Reg Noble on D. Cited for stealing the puck from Frank Foyston which directly led to a goal.
Nov 19 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart steals puck
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The ice was sticky for the third period. Langlois got the first rush but shot from outside and Benny easily smothered the drive. Stewart took the puck away from McKinnon near the NY goal but shot wide."
Dec 31 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart described as tower of strength defensively, while constantly hooking checking attackers
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Dutton almost broke the boards with a drive as the second chapter opened, but the shot was high. Holmes cheated the same player, a minute later.
Stewart intercepted a pass, but had no one with him."
"Benedict got Gordon's shot and then spilled in his net to block a drive off the rebound. He was faultless in his work every minute.
Stewart was a tower of strength defensively as well as offensively, hook checking the puck away from the puck carriers time and again at center ice."
January 26th 1927 Montreal Gazette:
Feb 11th 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart's hustle and smart defensive play saves likely goal
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"A spectacular stop by Worters deprived Punch Broadbent of a seemingly certain goal while Milk's and Carson languished on the side lines. McCurry retrieved the puck on Worters clearance and flanked by Drury, piled through wildly.
Either Corsair might have tallied on the thrust had not Stewart hustled his frame across the glaze to sweep Drury's path and whirl the disc to a corner."
Feb 18th 1927 Montreal Gazette Stewart playing solid defense opposite of Frank Boucher, breaking up multiple rushes.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The teams started off at a rapid pace and after several rushed by both sides Nels Stewart took a pass from Dutton and sent a sizzling shot past Chabto fro the first counter in 3:55. This stimulated the Ranger forwards but they could not penetrate the Munro Dutton defense.
Frank Boucher and Stewart broke up several plays around center ice where most of the play was confined"
Feb 25th 1927 Montreal Gazette: Montreal forwards mentioned for aiding the strong Maroon defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Noble had a pot shot from ten feet out, but Holmes outguessed him and saved smartly.
At every threat the Maroons packed their defense, the forwards rallying to the aid of the defense."
Mar 9 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart praised for his demon like work ethic and toughness
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Montreal were as splendid in defeat. Never have they played better this year.
Stewart worked like a demon and he gave and took his bumps with a willingness that was surprising. He was frequently spilled to the ice, his face barked by the falls, but he always came up for more and was ever dangerous as such closely watched."
"When Broadbent went off for heavy work,
Gange started the Canadians on a sortie, which Stewart finally cleared. He was again tripped by Gange at the Canadian defense."
Mar 11 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart mentioned for being part of an impregnable defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ottawa were trying to desperately score but Noble and Stewart, aided by Phillips and Siebert and Broadbent were impregnable on defense."
Nov 15 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart played magnificent and was hard working. Again noted speed
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart was playing a magnificent hard working game at center for the Maroons, but was being closely watched and heavily bodied. Stewart and Munro traveled fast in an attack on the Senator goal...."
Nov 23 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart dropping back and blocking a Ching Johnson attack
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ching Johnson had a try all on his own but Dutton charged him off before he could get his shot in.
Ching kept on breaking through, but Nels Stewart dropped back and cleverly blocked him."
Nov 30 1927 Montreal Gazette In a 4-0 loss Stewart was only Maroon player who had any luck stopping Boston attacks. Noted as playing a strong physical came, checking anyone who got near him.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Shore tore and stumbled through for a shot and Gaynor tried on the rebound.
Nothing could stop the Bruin attackers except occasionally Stewart's big body."
"Shore got apparently loose in front of the Maroon goal, but Stewart came from the side, and bodied him out of the picture. Bodying tactics were becoming common, and Stewart was doing a job on whoever came near him."
Dec 2 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart again dropped back to play D
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart had to drop back to the Maroon defense, along with Dutton."
"Maroons were playing a sound back checking game to smother Ranger rushes as the final period reached the half way mark."
Feb 1 1928 Montreal Gazette: Stewart raced back to bowl over Frank Boucher who was about to let a shot rip from point blank range
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Frank Boucher wriggled his way through, but Nels Stewart raced back and bowled him over as he was about to shoot only a few yards from the cage".
Jan 23 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart singled out with 2 others for backing checking and poke checking brilliance. Stewart was on the LW in this game.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart, Smith and Ward while working so dangerously on offensive also saw to it that there was no Couger retaliation. They back checked and poke checked so successfully that they had the Detroiters completely tied up. The Cougars couldn't move."
Feb 20 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Hooley Smith singled out for great poke checking efforts. Nels is still on the wing here.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Being out in front, the Maroons centered their efforts chiefly upon preserving their lead, which brought out some of the uncanniest poke checking ever seen here by Nels Stewart and Hooley Smith. The Americans drove down in three, four and finally five man attacks but nearly always great stick work by Smith and Stewart would sweep the puck away from them to pull their attempts to score up short. The crowd was almost delirious with excitement as the wonderful defensive tactics of the Montreal players baffled every effort t drive the disc into the net for the tying goal."
Nov 27 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart back at C, cited for back checking like a fiend.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ward and Stewart played bang up games tonight.
Big Bels was in on everything and back checked like a fiend."
The Calgary Daily Herald – January 19th said: (pulled from Dreak's bio)
It was a somewhat mild encounter, with the heavy checking of Hooley Smith and Nels Stewart smothering Ottawa attachs in the centre area.
Feb 12 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart was a "COLOSSUS" with noted back checking efforts and great passing.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Big Nelson Stewart stood out like a colossus last night. He backed checked effectively, fed his mates with passes, and when opportunities were presented him, made no mistakes. Both his goals were characteristic of him. The first Maroon goal of the game was propelled with mighty force in Stewart's quick shot fashion to beat Roach cold. John Ross never moved his stick on a low drive to the corner. Nelson's second goal, Maroon's fourth of the game, saw the big fellow pounce in on his own rebound to toss the puck high into the corner of the net. Stewart's goal getting average rose appreciably higher last night.
Besides his two tallies, he gave a pair of assists, one to Seibert and the other to Smith."
"Smith, Stewart, and Siebert came on after about five minutes of the third period had gone, and at once achieved the double task of stemming the desperate Hawks attempts to score and of giving their own team an additional margin of safety by adding a second goal."
Jan 21st 1931: Ottawa Citizen: Stewart and Smith cited for playing well and poke checking many Leaf attacks in a loss
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart and Smith played well on their poke checking breaking up many a dangerous Leafs attack"
Feb 10 1932 Montreal Gazette: Stewart knocks player out of game with huge hit at center ice. He's 30 by this point.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The game was no pink tea affair, however. The lusty lads on both sides were handing out old fashioned body checks which, on more than one occasion, saw the victim decorate the ice with his prostrate form.
Nels Stewart doubled up Wildor Larochelle with a bone rattling body check in center ice in the first period and they helped Wildor off with his feet dragging behind him, no to appear again well until the middle session was well on its way."
-That is more than MOST players from the 1920's-30's have in terms of 1st hand acounts regarding specific abilities. Now, I'm not going to come out and call Nels Stewart the Frank Nighbor/Boucher of his day but there is a mountain (compared to most players from that time period) of evidence that suggests during his days in Montreal he was quite responsible defensively and even fantastic at it sometimes, as evidenced by the fact the Maroons moved him back to the blue line on more than one occasion. Plus Stewart was a very physical player. He could lay folks out, was a premier fighter and given the vast amount of leadership on hand I think you'd see the absolute peak of him on this specific team. Especially with a coach who was noted for getting the best out of his men.
Claude Giroux has always been an aggressive ball of fire and very good forechecker and responsible defensive player throughout his career in Philly. He's laid out some very big hits over the past 10 years and being as I live between Pittsburgh and Philly can attest to his ability in the corners and going back the other way. He's not elite but he absolutely fits the type of player Gorman would want.
Same thing with Broadbent, although he's even better than Giroux in terms of forechecking and being the defensive cog of his line, in his day. Broadbent and Stewart played together for 2 years, including Stewarts rookie season which also saw him with the Hart trophy and the Maroons won the Cup.
So at the end of the day, while the top line isn't exactly a "Gorman line" it also provides Gorman with the greatest hockey player of all time and a trio of elite postseason and big game perfomers. I think he'd make it work. And as I pointed out, correctly IMO, the 2nd line is actually very well suited to play a Gorman style of game, if he calls for it.