Last active guy for old franchises

[SealsFan]

Great topic!

 

[Andy6]

Would it be Gretzky for the Indianapolis Racers?

 

[The Panther]

Would it be Gretzky for the Indianapolis Racers?

Nope.

The last guy for Indianapolis was... Mark Messier.

Messier was actually brought in after the Racers traded away Gretzky to Edmonton.

After 5 games and the Racers' franchise folding after 25 games, Messier was signed by Cincinnati, where -- weirdly -- he was a teammate of two of Gretzky's future L.A. Kings' coaches, Robbie Ftorek and Barry Melrose.

 

[Sanf]

I was almost ready to say that Veli-Pekka Ketola was the last of the Calgary Cowboys team, but it would seem that Warren Miller lasted season longer (1982-1983). Nevertheless those players didn´t last long.

Haven´t checked, just a guess, but was Jack "Hanson" Carlson last Fighting Saint?

 

[Uncle Rotter]

The last player from the "Original six" era was Wayne Cashman in the 1983 playoffs.

 

[spacecadet]

Quebec Nordiques Peter Forseberg I believe

The last active Nordique was Martin Rucinsky, he retired last year at 44 from the czech league. As for the Whalers, Robert Petrovicky is still playing somewhere in Europe i think. Edit: No, he retired this year

 

[crobro]

Chris Pronger for Hartford

Hasn't officially retired yet

 

[Sens Rule]

I wonder who played with the most different NHL players in the NHL? Mike Sillinger? Whomever it is I would like to know the number of players? Think someone played with 200 different NHL player in the NHL?

 

[Big Phil]

The last player from the "Original six" era was Wayne Cashman in the 1983 playoffs.

I said Cashman as well upthread along with Serge Savard who finished in 1983 but didn't have the long playoff run like Cashman. However, between the two of them they played three games in the original 6 era. I know it counts, but who would be the last guy who played a full season in the original 6 era?

By the looks of it, Rogie Vachon is the winner here. He retired in 1982. Played 19 games in 1967 as well as the starting goalie in the playoffs (9 games). I think that qualifies as someone who was legitimately part of a team in the original 6. Other than that, there is a laundry list of players that finished in 1981:

Jean Ratelle, Pete Mahovlich, Ron Ellis

And in 1980:

Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Gerry Cheevers


So I think Vachon is the last prominent member of an original 6 team.

 

[Killion]

I said Cashman as well upthread along with Serge Savard who finished in 1983 but didn't have the long playoff run like Cashman. However, between the two of them they played three games in the original 6 era. I know it counts, but who would be the last guy who played a full season in the original 6 era?

By the looks of it, Rogie Vachon is the winner here. He retired in 1982. Played 19 games in 1967 as well as the starting goalie in the playoffs (9 games). I think that qualifies as someone who was legitimately part of a team in the original 6. Other than that, there is a laundry list of players that finished in 1981:

Jean Ratelle, Pete Mahovlich, Ron Ellis

And in 1980:

Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Gerry Cheevers


So I think Vachon is the last prominent member of an original 6 team.

Rogie Vachon huh?... And... you mention Ronnie Ellis... Who... Got NO RESPECT as a Leaf circa 1980..... Are you frikin Kiddin Me?....
Pete Mahovlich?..... JC Phil.... "Last active guys" m a y b e... but... wheres the respect?.... Back in the day, totally different story.

 

[Big Phil]

Rogie Vachon huh?... And... you mention Ronnie Ellis... Who... Got NO RESPECT as a Leaf circa 1980..... Are you frikin Kiddin Me?....
Pete Mahovlich?..... JC Phil.... "Last active guys" m a y b e... but... wheres the respect?.... Back in the day, totally different story.

Those are among the last original 6 guys to play in the NHL. Rogie is the longest who played a season. Cash and Savard are the longest who played a game or two.

 

[Killion]

Those are among the last original 6 guys to play in the NHL. Rogie is the longest who played a season. Cash and Savard are the longest who played a game or two.

What does it matter? Ellis never had a chance.

 

[crobro]

Dave Keon ?

 

[Killion]

Dave Keon ?

Sad seeing him playing for the Whalers. And I loved the Whalers.... But... you might be right in terms of the once proud history of the Leafs.. Keon was it.

 

[Zegras Zebra]

I would guess Bogosian or Bryan Little. I think Kane will fizzle out early IMO.

I think it will be Bryan Little. Kane and Bogosian both seem to have injury issues which may hurt their longevity. I could see Little as being one of those perennial veteran rentals late in his career. Could probably maintain being a 2/3 line player for a while.

 

[ICM1970]

Sad seeing him playing for the Whalers. And I loved the Whalers.... But... you might be right in terms of the once proud history of the Leafs.. Keon was it.

I know of an instance during the 1979-80 season (the first year the Whalers were in the NHL and thus Keon's return to it). When Hartford was in Toronto for Keon's first time back to the Gardens since defecting to the WHA, Keon was understandably nervous and uptight and did not want to talk to anyone. Right before game time, the trainer walks up and says "I think that you will want to talk to this person". In comes none other than Connie Smythe, complete with the coat and spats, and says to Keon "You were a great player and excellent captain and I'm very sorry about what happened". They talked for a few minutes and then Conn left and his driver took him back to his farm near Caledon. Possibly the last time Conn visited the Gardens and one of the more touching stories of the game, IHO.

 

[Big Phil]

Dave Keon ?

Good call. Keon retired in 1982 as well. I missed that. So basically it is Keon and Vachon as the last original 6 players who played a full season in the O6 league

 

[Inkling]

Here is something interesting............going way back. I am pretty sure Syd Howe - who retired as the NHL's all-time leading scorer in 1946 that lasted one year - is the last Ottawa Senator, St. Louis Eagle and Philadelphia Quaker to play in the NHL. Although Flash Hollett was a Senator and played until 1946 as well. So unless I am wrong, Howe has an incredible trifecta of teams which whom he was the last to play for.

I believe Hollett was the last active Senator. He and Howe both played through the 1946 season but Howe didn't play in the playoffs and Hollett did.

 

[Slitty]

How many Atlanta Thrashers are currently left in the league and who is your bet for being the last one standing?

 

[tarheelhockey]

How many Atlanta Thrashers are currently left in the league and who is your bet for being the last one standing?

Kovalchuk (if he actually comes back)
Derek MacKenzie
Kari Lehtonen
Chris Kunitz
Marian Hossa (on a technicality at this point)
Braydon Coburn
Ondrej Pavelec
Toby Enstrom
Chris Thorburn
Ron Hainsey
Zach Bogosian
Evander Kane
Bryan Little
Johnny Oduya
Paul Postma

Not sure if that list is absolutely exhaustive, but it covers pretty much all the guys who have been in the league lately.

Bogosian and Kane are the two who combine a relatively young age with a relatively high talent level. They're the safe bets to be the last 2 standing. My money would be on the defenseman to have the longer career.

 

[FerrisRox]

Or Rob Ramage

No.

Ramage was done in 1993-94 after a short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers. Joe Cirella hung on until 1995-96 when he played six games with the Ottawa Senators.

 

[Sticks and Pucks]

Kovalchuk (if he actually comes back)
Derek MacKenzie
Kari Lehtonen
Chris Kunitz
Marian Hossa (on a technicality at this point)
Braydon Coburn
Ondrej Pavelec
Toby Enstrom
Chris Thorburn
Ron Hainsey
Zach Bogosian
Evander Kane
Bryan Little
Johnny Oduya
Paul Postma

Not sure if that list is absolutely exhaustive, but it covers pretty much all the guys who have been in the league lately.

Bogosian and Kane are the two who combine a relatively young age with a relatively high talent level. They're the safe bets to be the last 2 standing. My money would be on the defenseman to have the longer career.

You missed Blake Wheeler. Not only that, but with the season he's currently having as a 31 year old, it wouldn't surprise me if he's the last one standing.

 

[Kyle McMahon]

It appears Gordie Howe was the last man standing for both the 40s and 50s. Tied with Whalers teammate Bobby Hull for the 50s distinction, both playing their final game in the 1980 playoffs. I guess it would come down to who had the final shift between the two. Stan Mikita played that season as well, but only 17 games and none in the playoffs.

I can't imagine anyone else even comes close to being the last guy from two decades. Howe seems to be the last player standing from 14 individual seasons (46-47 up to and including 59-60). I think Jagr can claim this for 7 seasons...and I suspect that would be the most besides Gordie.

 

[Staniowski]

It appears Gordie Howe was the last man standing for both the 40s and 50s. Tied with Whalers teammate Bobby Hull for the 50s distinction, both playing their final game in the 1980 playoffs. I guess it would come down to who had the final shift between the two. Stan Mikita played that season as well, but only 17 games and none in the playoffs.

I can't imagine anyone else even comes close to being the last guy from two decades. Howe seems to be the last player standing from 14 individual seasons (46-47 up to and including 59-60). I think Jagr can claim this for 7 seasons...and I suspect that would be the most besides Gordie.

Do you know how many it would be for Chelios? He retired at age 47 (or 48?).

 

[Kyle McMahon]

Do you know how many it would be for Chelios? He retired at age 47 (or 48?).

I think Chelios has 1983-84 to 87-88 locked down, so 5 seasons.