ATD 2014 - the Bios Thread

[Rob Scuderi]

Zach Parise, LW

1x 2nd All-Star Team (2009)
5th in Hart Trophy voting (2009)
Selke Trophy Voting: 8 (2009), 12 (2010), 18 (2013)

Point finishes: 5 (2009), 15 (2010)
Goal finishes: 3 (2009), 9 (2010)
6th in points, and 1st in goals during 2012 playoffs

1x Olympic All-Star Team (2010)
Finished 3rd in scoring in 2010 Olympics
Captain of 2014 Team USA
Captain of Devils 2011-12 season

Assets: Never stops hustling and possesses the drive, heart and skills of a winner. Has speed to burn defenders one-on-one and owns a true goal-scorer's shot that he loves to unleash at a moment's notice. Is a supremely intelligent player. Scores goals in the clutch and is defensively responsible.

Flaws: Not big, he needs to continue to withstand the constant pounding that comes with being a scoring star at the highest level. Could use a tad more work on his playmaking skills. Knee problems are a concern moving forward, as are injuries in general. May not be able to meet contratual expectations.

Career Potential: Elite scorer with a great work ethic.

Devils coach Brent Sutter says two players stand out as the hardest working he has coached: Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby , whom Sutter had at the 2005 World Junior Championships, and New Jersey left wing Zach Parise . With a team-high 18 goals through Sunday, Parise (right) has become one of the league's top young players...

Parise does a PSA for the state library system.
This hardly seems fair. Crosby has the Stanley Cup, and Ovechkin has the Hart Trophy, while Parise—"the best American forward, for sure," Olympic coach Ron Wilson says—has the Dewey decimal system.

Even the rare Devil with name recognition, goalie Martin Brodeur, the NHL career leader in wins, shutouts and games, suggests Parise needs a grander canvas for his art to be truly appreciated. "I went through that my whole career—[people saying] is it him or is he a product of the system?—until I played for Team Canada and got out of it," said Brodeur, starter for the Olympic gold-medal-winners in 2002. "It's all about how you perform when you go outside this bubble we have here and into the real world. For Zach, the Olympics could be his coming-out. No doubt it will be."

Enter Parise, a hero in the making. "Since the first practice we had this year," Devils coach Jacques Lemaire says, "I can't expect a player to be better than this." Twenty-one of Parise's 28 goals have come at even strength, tied for seventh in the NHL. He is so responsible without the puck that between Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 he was not on the ice for an opposing goal, a remarkable streak for a player who averages nearly 20 minutes. (He's +24 for the season.) Although American fans instinctively gravitate to the goaltender—presumptive starter Ryan Miller has been the NHL's best in the first half of the season—Team USA belongs to Parise. If this quick, small but determined group claws its way to a medal, the fulcrum will be the first-line left wing with a face on loan from a Giotto cherub.

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press in November, Steve Yzerman, Hall of Fame Red Wings captain and general manager of Canada's Olympic team, was asked who would he want to be if he could come back as a current player. Yzerman chose Parise. "I really got a good look at him at the worlds in Moscow [in 2007]," Yzerman said in December, before scouting a Lightning-Devils game. "Love the way he plays. Just a great, nifty player. And he works his butt off."

As Lemaire, a contemporary of J.P.'s, says, Zach works like his father but has twice the talent.

"There's so much to like about his game, especially that he's not afraid to play in traffic," Lawton says of Parise, who has scored 14 of his 28 goals from inside 15 feet. "But as a hockey player I think character is his strongest asset. As we've seen recently in today's world of tumultuous events"—Lawton was referencing Tiger Woods, not Afghanistan—"that's a really valuable asset."

"He's all about hockey," Brodeur says. "His commitment to the game is second to none. He started going in early to work on his shot. Then one guy, then another, joined him. He started with the stim machine, and now he's got a bunch of guys in the room doing it. That's leadership. He was a shy kid, but I think he has realized how good he is, which really helps him. It's been my team for so many years here, but now I believe it's his team. I may still be the face, but he's the future."

Brown and Parise, potential Conn Smythe candidates behind Quick (and perhaps high-wire L.A. defenseman Drew Doughty—from London, Ont.—who skated end to end, and through three Devils, in Game 2 to score a goal of utter brilliance), are among the modern exemplars. They possess fourth-line work ethics and, especially in Parise's case, first-line skills. "All you have to do is watch Zach for 30 seconds. You know he expects nothing for free," says New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene (Trenton, Mich.). "Brown looks the same way to me. They don't have the why-did-you-hit-me look when they get hit." Brown and Parise each had seven goals through Game 2, tied for his team's lead.
"Parise just does it right," [Dean] Lombardi says. "You never see him put himself above his team. The competitiveness is off the charts, especially for a smaller guy around the crease. Like [Brown], the game is high level, but it's not one that rings Me-Me-Me. Their games are loud, but they're not loud, you know?"

Bylsma coaches the Pittsburgh Penguins, so his team faced off against Parise often when he played for the Devils. Bylsma said Parise embodies the blue-collar attitude he wants from his team in Sochi.

“Every time we played against Zach Parise, there has been a work ethic, a never quit, a determination, an abrasiveness about a hard-to-play-against type of player -- and it’s every time,†he said. “Regardless of the score, regardless of the situation our respective teams might be in, that’s what you see and that’s what you get every time I’ve coached against Zach Parise."

 

[ImporterExporter]

Hornets will take a guy who can legitimately play all 3 forward positions, was a noted penalty killer and clutch playoff performer. Drops well over 100 spots and i couldn't be happier to nab this guy....


Bob Bourne F


Stats/Awards:

-4 Time Stanley Cup Winner (80-83)
-Scored 74 points over 74 games during the Islander's dynastic 4 year run.
-Bill Masterton Award 1988
-582 (490 ES) points in 964 games
-19 SH goals and 14 SH assist's
-5 playoff SH goals
-Single Season Islanders SH goal record holder with 7



Posted by two of the most respected History of Hockey members regarding Bourne:

Bourne is one of the few "true" utility forwards in the draft. Arbour played him just about everywhere, often using him as a fill-in for guys who were banged up on other lines. He was officially a 4th liner most of the time, but he played as much up and down the lineup as any of the 3rd liners, maybe more. He'll be as good on the LW as anywhere else.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=63052649&postcount=23

87 posted the playoff scoring number - those were pretty good. He killed penalties as well and played all forward positions. Up there with anyone past the big 3 and Smith (or the big 4).

But when people remember Bob Bourne it won't be for his scoring. It will be for his skating. Bourne was one of the fastest skaters of his day, perhaps the best in the immediate post-Yvan Cournoyer era and pre-Paul Coffey era.

Even scarier than his wheels were his hands. Unlike a lot of fast skating role players, Bourne could handle the puck at top speed. More than once he scored breathtaking goals on end-to-end rushes that fans who were in attendance that night would not forget anytime soon.

That sums up Bob Bourne fairly well. He was an incredibly fast support player who chimed in with timely goals. Every once in a while he would be the best player on the ice, but mostly he excelled as a great role player with a great team.

With his great speed and his long reach, Bourne emerged as a devastating penalty killer for the Isles. At even strength he was very valuable as a swing man. Capable of playing all three forward positions, he would often plug holes on lines decimated by injuries or penalties.

That was Bourne's great contribution to the Isles. And no one appreciated him more so than coach Al Arbour.

"The thing is, though, Bob never really has a slump. He's too versatile for that. He skates well and checks so that the fellow opposite him never accomplishes much. So if his scoring tails off a bit, he's still doing you a lot of good.

"And for a real tip-off on Bourne, take a look at his playoff record. That'll tell you a lot."
-Al Arbour

Indeed it will. In the 74 playoff games Bourne played during the Isles 4 Cup wins, Bourne scored 33 goals and 43 assists for 76 points, incredible production given the time of year and the lack of power play time he received.

Clutch defines Bourne's offensive contributions. In fact, when the NHL re-introduced regular season overtime in 1983 after a 41 year absence, it was Bourne who scored the first OT goal in modern history.

-Greatest Hockey Legends, 2013
Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Bob Bourne

Bourne had been playing LEFT WING in Gillies' stead on a line with Duane (Dog) Sutter and Duane's younger brother, Brent (Pup) Sutter, since Gillies, who would not appear in the series, went down with a knee injury just before the end of the regular season. None of the three had had an excellent year, and their union shouldn't have filled the Rangers with fear. "Guys laugh at us in practice because we handle the puck like a grenade," says Bourne. But he broke open a 1-1 game by assisting on the next three goals, including one apiece by the Sutters. BOURNE-AGAIN CHAMPS BURY RANGERS, punned the Post.

Once more the Grenadiers led the way. Sutter, D., got his first NHL hat trick; Sutter, B., had a goal and an assist; and Bourne had another three assists. "We're a western Canada type of line," said Bourne afterward. (He's from Saskatchewan; the Sutters are from Alberta.) "Nothing fancy. If a guy's open, you give it to him. Sometimes a good player will wait for somebody to come at him before making a pass, but we pop it to the open guy right away. We don't do a lot of thinking out there."

No one had pained the Rangers more than Bourne, who again contributed three assists and scored on a coast-to-coast dash, during which he eluded three Rangers, slipped the puck between another's skates, retrieved it and flipped it by Mio. "I haven't scored a goal like that since my junior days," he said. "It showed me I haven't lost it."

But Bourne has blossomed alongside Dog and Pup, who like to dump the puck into the offensive zone and let Bourne chase it. Bourne is so fast that the defense finds itself cheating toward the net to limit his effectiveness, and that opens up a cavity near the blue line from which the Sutters can let fly. "Brent's so good at anticipating, he takes advantage of that," says Torrey. "And he and Duane crisscross very well." The Sutter-Sutter-Bourne triad accounted for 32 of the Islanders' 71 points in this series. Twelve of them were provided by Bourne, WHO SET A TEAM RECORD for most points in a playoff series.

-Sports Illustrated, 1983
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1120791/1/index.htm

His center, Bryan Trottier, is one of the best playmakers in the game and won the Conn Smythe trophy last year as playoff MVP. Speedy Bob Bourne is the LEFT WING on this explosive line.

-Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 1981
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

And there is a bear of LEFT WINGER out there for the Penguins to hunt, too. Bob Bourne, a bruising seven year veteran who helped linemates Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier to their second straight Stanley Cup, heads the list of players who could be available if their respective teams fail to re-sign them before tonight's midnight deadline.

-The Pittsburgh Press, 1981
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Bob Bourne
Position: Left Wing/Center, New York Islanders 1974-86; Los Angelas Kings 1986-88

Bourne made his own luck through the rest of his career on a combination of speed, versatility, determination, attitude and heart.

His SPEED, DEFENSE, AND PENALTY KILLING made him EXTREMELY VALUABLE even if he was not as well known as some of his teammates.

-Who's Who in Hockey
http://books.google.com/books?id=wpbLnSHBNHgC&pg=PT58&lpg=PT58&dq=bob+bourne+versatility&source=bl&ots=XN8Z4bp-ra&sig=DX9IyOdf13rWlkNNj1WJ57Vs9VM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=99IcU5vkMoSj0QG02YDwDQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=bob bourne versatility&f=false

Bryan Trottier and Butch Goring and Lorne Henning and Bob Bourne and those fellows were terrific killing penalties."

Henning, in fact, scored the first goal short-handed on a feed from the speedy Bourne, whom the Flyers have been unable to contain.

-Nick Seitz, 1980
Flyers and Islanders sweep into a wild final round for the Stanley Cup

Bourne was a three-time 30 goal scorer during the Islanders championship run from 1980-1983, anchoring the left side of some of the most accomplished lines ever to play professional hockey.

-NY Sports Day, 2006
Isles Inspired by (Bob) Bourne Identity :: NY Sports Day - Independent Gotham Sports Coverage

This member of the Islanders Hall of Fame was known mostly for his offensive play during his 12 years on the Island. Using his skills as a goal scorer, Bourne also brought versatility to the penalty kill. His ability to attack the puck and then create offensively going the other way was vital to both his and the team’s success when shorthanded. Bourne is currently fifth all time in shorthanded goals for the Isles with 16. He led the team in the same category in the 1980-1981 season with seven shorthanded goals. Bourne’s seven shorties is still an Islanders single season record.

-Islanders.NHL.com
NYI TOP 10: Penalty Killers 6-10


Scouting Report's provide by Rob Scuderi (much appreciated)

Call him "Jets"...He has them for skates...One of swiftest skaters in the league...Used mostly at left wing but played all three forward positions..Plays on power play...Kills penalties...

May be fastest skater in league and he knows how to use his speed...Has emerged as devastating penalty killer due to speed and long reach...Versatile guy who played all three forward position...

One of hockey's swiftest, most graceful skaters...Always a threat to penetrate behind opposing defensemen with his quick, clever moves...Used either at center or left wing...Excels in defensive part of game as checker and penalty killer...A versatile player...Receives and delivers passes well while in full speed...Uses his speed effectively to create two-one-one rushes and breakaways...

One of the fastest skaters in the game...Always a breakway threat...Important cog in Islanders' great penalty-killing unit...Usually a left wing but has played all three forward positions...Underrated defensive player...Can play point on power play...

Islanders missed his speed in losing Stanley Cup final to swift skating Edmonton...Sidelined with ankle injury during most of playoffs..Has exceptional skating speed...Always a threat to make solo fast-break rush from one end of ice to the other...Can play all three forward positions...Excels as penalty-killer...Good forechecker and backchecker...Has winning touch when taking faceoffs...Normally plays wing...

 

[Velociraptor]

Don McKenney, C

Position: Centre
HT/WT: 5'11", 160 lbs
Handedness: Left
Nickname(s): "The Quiet Producer"
Born: April 30th, 1934 in Smith Falls, Ontario

- 1-time Stanley Cup Champion - (1964)
- 1-time recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - (1960)
- 3-time Top-10 in All-Star C Voting - (3, 5, 7)
- captain of the Boston Bruins - (1961-63)
- scored 237 goals, 345 assists for 582 points in 798 regular season games played, adding 211 penalty minutes.
- scored 18 goals, 29 assists for 47 points in 58 playoff games played, adding 10 penalty minutes.

Voting Record:

Hart Trophy Voting:

9th (58-59)

Lady Byng Trophy Voting:

1st (59-60), 3rd (57-58), 3rd (61-62), 4th (56-57), 4th (58-59), 4th (60-61)

Top 10 Finishes:
Goals - 4x - (6, 7, 10, 10)
Assists - 2x - (1, 6)
Points - 4x - (7, 8, 8, 10)

Quotes

On The Trail Of The Stanley Cup, Vol 2. - Charles L Coleman

Noted as a smooth and classy hockey player

...

Don McKenney's clean, elegant style gained formal recognition among the NHL elite, when awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1960 as the player adjudged to have shown the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high level of performance in play. McKenney's distinguished frontline presence, an exemplar of white collar finesse, ensured several inclusions among the Lady Byng award finalists during his years in Boston. Don McKenney's seemingly nonchalant stance and slick brand of maneuvering, individualistic traits of a flashy and dashing marauder, coalesced with the more defensive minded qualities of a versatile team player, such as effective checking skills and positional acuity. "The Quiet Producer" excelled on both the power play and periodically, the penalty killing special units. A natural centreman with a good face-off record, rangy number 17 patrolled left wing in select instances. Often critically at odds with a faction of the Boston Garden faithful, McKenney's phlegmatic manner stood in contrast to the rugged, hard hitting image traditionally associated with the Boston Bruins. His lanky demeanor gave the deceptive impression of a fragile player; Don "Slip" McKenney was in fact a solid and steady performer, appearing in 266 consecutive games amid his halcyon period with the Black and Gold. As a study in savvy stoicism befitting his reserved, self-possessed nature, Donald Hamilton McKenney eschewed serious injuries and consequently, missed few matches throughout his NHL career.

Creative élan and intelligent fairplay are hallmarks that well define the gallant Bostonian's legacy.

Highly touted by Bruins' management upon his arrival in Boston, voted the Calder Trophy runner up as rookie of the year, Don McKenney initially centered the power unit composed of wingers Leo Labine and Real Chevrefils in 1954–55 and again in 1956–57, with great aplomb, as the surging Bruins competed for first place in the NHL standings. McKenney, along with later linemate, the dauntless Fleming MacKell, led the epic 1958 Stanley Cup playoffs in scoring, a salient factor in the Bruins' serious challenge to the dynastic Montreal Canadiens for NHL supremacy.

1958–59 witnessed a banner 32 goal campaign that left Don McKenney one vote shy of being selected to the 2nd All Star team. Following a very close, hard fought Stanley Cup semi-final loss in the spring of 1959, Donald McKenney embarked with the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on a groundbreaking exhibition tour of Europe. The 1959–60 season of his Lady Byng Trophy win concluded with Don McKenney, at his career zenith, leading the NHL in assists with 49, a club record at the time. He was selected an alternate captain of the Boston Bruins in 1960.

A sterling talent gifted with elusive speed and prescient mobility, Don McKenney's sleek playmaking dexterity proved him a tactically inventive strategist on attack. The high flying raider led an early version of the fast charging, open breakaway Torpedo system, the exciting mode of hockey later adapted by the Swedish national hockey team. The polished Bostonian comprised, along with the vaunted Uke line, an integral cornerstone of the Bruins' prolific offense of the late 1950s. Don McKenney ascended to Boston's spearhead in goals scored during four seasons and the vanguard of Bruins' total points for three years. The clever triggerman finished among the NHL top 10 scoring leaders on four occasions and appeared in seven All Star games. Along with a centreman's flair for feathered passes and cagey drop feints, seminal elements of intricately designed plays, McKenney's deft scoring touch allied a lethal backhand shot with stealth like opportunism around the net, often in the form of subtle deflections. Despite sporadic periods of lethargic output, only once in eight full campaigns with the Bruins, his sophomore season of 1955–56, did Don McKenney fail to tally 20 or more goals, a remarkable accomplishment for a centre of the Original Six era.

Greatest Hockey Legends

For much of the 1950s and early 1960s, Don McKenney was a Dave Keon-like star with the Boston Bruins. Old time Boston fans compared him to Cowboy Bill Cowley, a Bruins star from the 1940s.

Tall and rangy, he was a clean and elegant center, winner of the 1960 Lady Byng Memorial trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player. He was noted for his excellence at both ends of the ice. He was a polished offensive talent, known for good speed and play-making ability. He was equally as brainy while defending, relying on great anticipation skills and strong positioning.

...

McKenney's game improved come playoff time. Three times he was in the top 10 in Stanley Cup scoring, twice for goals scored. With the Bruins he was never more prolific than in 1958 when he and Fleming MacKell led the offensive charge in the memorably epic Stanley Cup final against Montreal, a championship series narrowly won by the mighty Montreal Canadiens.

By 1961 McKenney was named team captain of the Bruins, but midway through the 1962-63 season he was moved to New York in exchange for Dean Prentice. About a year later he was part of the big Andy Bathgate trade to Toronto. McKenney played a nice support role in helping the Leafs win their 3rd Stanley Cup in a row. For McKenney, it would be his only Stanley Cup of his career.

 

[King Forsberg]

Alexei Yashin, Center

1999 Second Team All Star
All Star Voting - 2nd(1999), 7th(2001), 9th(2002)
3x All Star - 1994, 1999, 2002
Top 10 Goals - 2nd(1999), 10th(1998), 10th(2001)
9th in Points (1999)
Hart Trophy Voting - 2nd(1999), 14th(2001)
Ottawa Senators Captain: 1998-99
New York Islanders Captain: 2005-07

Power Play Goals
1994-95 NHL 11 (6)
1998-99 NHL 19 (2)
2001-02 NHL 15 (3)
2002-03 NHL 14 (10)

Team Scoring:
1st (1994,1995,1997,1998,1999,2001,2002,2003)
2nd(1996)

3x Russian Olympian - 1998, 2002, 2006 (12p in 20gp)
Alternate Captain - 2006

2x World Cup Participant - 1996, 2004 (5p in 9gp)
Alternate Captain - 2004

At the age of 27, Alexei Yashin has already made history as the first Russian to be the full-time captain of an NHL team. His predecessor, Alexander Mogilny, wore the letter "C" on his jersey only when Pat LaFontaine had to miss a game because of injury. Yashin had been a part-time captain with the Ottawa Senators in the 1997-98 season when Randy Cunneyworth was absent. After Cunneyworth moved to Buffalo, Senators head coach Jacques Martin appointed the Russian center captain.

Despite the fact that the Senators were then a struggling team, Yashin made good progress and soon became the team's leading player. At 25, he had scored over 30 goals in four successive seasons, winning the respect of his teammates and earning the title of captain.

-Legends of Hockey

 

[VanIslander]

Brian Skrudland, the young captain and playoff MVP of a cup-winning AHL team who jumped to the NHL and the very next year won the Stanley Cup with Montreal, scoring the fastest overtime goal in NHL history (9 seconds in) in what was seen as a pivotal postseason game. Of course, he spent his NHL career in a defensive role. The Selke finalist outworked and outchecked many others for over a decade. He's considered the greatest captain in Panthers' history, leading them to the Stanley Cup finals, one of five times he has been a valuable part of a finals run. His trade to Dallas is considered by many Stars fans as one of the best trades the franchise ever made, as an immediate impact was made that postseason and the next one for the cup. Skrudland is a winner. Every team could use a player like him. He not only finishes his checks, agitates stars (see Lemieux penalized when retaliating against Skrudland in the Panthers playoff upset over Pittsburgh) and kills penalties; he also forechecks and generates offensive zone face offs, winning crucial face offs in the defensive zone, with excellent hockey sense positionally. A captain or alternate captain everywhere he played, his consistent all-out style of play led to injuries, yet he played through pain at times in five trips to the Stanley Cup Finals in 164 NHL playoff games.

... a defensive specialist... His hard nosed style won him many fans among the discerning Montreal crowds

... his determination and refusal to give an inch... He ate up minutes, both at even strength and while the Habs were down a man, rarely making a mental error or being caught out of position... Always a physical presence,.. his hardnosed play..

The major thing if somebody is going to score against you is you want them to score by going through you and not beating you one-on-one. You never want to lose a battle one-on-one. Position is number one in hockey. As long as you have your body between the opposition's body and your goal, 90 percent of the time you're in good position. And finish your checks. Make sure the guy you had doesn't once again come back into the play and score the goal.

How he became so good and so tricky as a top face-off artist:

Sometimes Skrudland will go for the puck - could be a forehand or a backhand stab - and sometimes he will simply try to tie up the opponent's stick, then chip at the puck. The faceoff is a mind game. That's why Skrudland believes knowing what your opponent likes to do is important.

Skrudland relies on the secrets of a kind of guru to the north who helps him. His older brother, Barry, a former player who works in insurance in Winnipeg, first began teaching Brian the art of faceoffs when he was 12 and Brian was 9. "I would knock him on his butt to win a faceoff," Barry said. When the nightly games were over at the outdoor rink and only three or four players were left, Brian and Barry would work on faceoffs. Brian always wanted one more after big brother beat him. Often that meant they didn't go home until somebody shut off the rink's lights. Even now, Barry, who says he will creep to 2 feet from his TV when Brian is in a faceoff, regularly calls Brian with "the odd suggestion."

"If I don't win my faceoffs, my brother's going to call me ," Brian said. "I could never beat my brother. He was a dirtier S.O.B. than I was, but I learned a lot from him."

 

[Velociraptor]

Kirk Muller, LW/C

Position: Left Wing/Centre
HT/WT: 6'0", 205 lbs
Handedness: Left
Nickname(s): "Captain Kirk", "Kirk is Work"
Born: February 8th, 1966 in Kingston, Ontario

- 1-time Stanley Cup Champion - (1993)
- 4-time Top-11 in All-Star LW Voting - (7, 9, 10, 11)
- participated in six NHL All-Star Games - (1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993)
- 5th in goals, 11th in points in 1992-93 post-season.
- scored 357 goals, 602 assists for 959 points in 1349 regular season games played, adding 1223 penalty minutes.
- scored 33 goals, 36 assists for 69 points in 127 playoff games played, adding 153 penalty minutes.

Voting Record:

Selke Trophy Voting:

10th (87-88), 14th (92-93), 19th (91-92)

Hart Trophy Voting:

8th (87-88)

Hardest Worker: Doug Gilmour (6), Jeremy Roenick (5), Craig MacTavish (3), Kirk Muller (3), Kelly Miller (1), Pat Lafontaine (1), Ray Bourque (1), Joel Otto (1)

Most Underrated: Larry Murphy (3), Kelly Buchberger (2), Ron Francis (2), Steve Larmer (2), Doug Gilmour (1), Adam Oates (1), Steve Chiasson (1), Kevin Stevens (1), Jeremy Roenick (1), Pierre Turgeon (1), Rod Brind’Amour (1), Kirk Muller (1), Joe Juneau (1), Tony Granato (1), Mark Recchi (1)

Quotes

Greatest Hockey Legends

Though he was no Mario, Muller certainly did not disappoint. Desire and determination became his NHL trademarks, and made him an outstanding leader. He would hustle right until the final buzzer no matter what the score was. He was at times perhaps too intense and put undue pressure on himself to do better when his team was going through a slump.

Muller excelled at the physical game, especially along the boards and in traffic. He'd bang and crash - hell he'd bust down a door without bothering to check if it was even locked. He was absolute tiger in the corners, and the best part was he had the hand skills to do something with the pucks he retrieved.

Though not a natural talent in terms of finesse abilities, Kirk got good mileage from his somewhat limited arsenal. He had a quick shot and good hand/eye coordination - which made him good on faceoffs - but was not a great on-the-rush player. He excelled in a heavy forechecking/heavy puck cycling attack and at crashing the front of the net.

 

[Velociraptor]

Shane Doan, RW/LW

Position: Right Wing/Left Wing
HT/WT: 6'1", 223 lbs
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "Doaner"
Born: October 10th, 1976 in Halkirk, Alberta

- 3-time Top-10 in All-Star RW Voting - (6, 6, 10)
- 1-time recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy - (2010)
- captain of the Phoenix Coyotes - (2003-present day)
- participated in two NHL All-Star Games - (2004, 2009)
- scored 349 goals, 503 assists for 852 points in 1299 regular season games played, adding 1128 penalty minutes.
- scored 15 goals, 13 assists for 28 points in 55 playoff games played, adding 85 penalty minutes.

Team scoring finishes since 1999-2000: 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 3rd

Quotes

Shane Doan: Also able to play both wings, Doan's physicality and effective approach to defence see him on a checking line that will still be dangerous offensively. He is a fast and strong forward capable of digging in the corners and making smart decisions.

Assets: Is physical and at his best when he frequently throws his weight around. Extremely durable, he is an excellent two-way player and the ultimate team-first guy. Also displays immaculate loyalty.

Savvy, dependable winger and veteran leader.

Feb 13, 2009 -HNC Analysts pick their Team Canada

Cassie Campbell - Shane Doan "A" — Great leadership and will fulfill third- or fourth-line duties.

Mark Crawford - Shane Doan — Plays both wings equally well.

Elliotte Friedman - Shane Doan "A"

Kelly Hrudey - Shane Doan — Grinder with hands.

Jim Hughson - Shane Doan "A" — Character and sandpaper.

Jeff Marek - Shane Doan "A" — Can never have enough character guys with skill.

Scott Morrison - Shane Doan — Grit and leadership.

Craig Simpson - Shane Doan "A" — Versatility, leadership and experience.

PJ Stock - Shane Doan — Should play with Richards and be on shutdown line. Great leader.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stor...#ixzz1Gnrwx1cR

 

[tony d]

Right Winger John Maclean

Biographical Information on Maclean courtesy of http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/maclejo01.html

Position: RW ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-0 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
Born: November 20, 1964 (Age 49) in Oshawa, Ontario
Draft: New Jersey, 1st round (6th overall), 1983 NHL Entry

Stats on Maclean courtesy of http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/maclejo01.html

-842 Career Points in 1194 career games
-3 40 goal seasons
-83 points in 104 career playoff games
-2 Time All Star
-82nd all time in career goals

Legends Of Hockey

Right-winger John MacLean played nearly 1,200 NHL games between 1983 and 2002. He was a gritty competitor with an above average touch around the net.
Born in Oshawa, Ontario, MacLean played junior with the home town Generals of the OHL. After scoring 47 goals and helping the club reach the Memorial Cup final in 1983, he was chosen sixth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. The club returned him to junior for most of the next year before recalling him for 23 games.

MacLean was a tireless foot soldier as the club struggled to rise above also-ran status in the mid-80s. On the last night of the 1987-88 regular season he scored an overtime goal in Chicago which propelled the Devils into the post-season. He went on to record 18 points in 20 games at the club came within a game of reaching the finals. Following this breakthrough year, MacLean notched three straight 40-goal seasons before he was forced to miss the 1991-92 season due to a serious knee injury.

The feisty veteran returned to score 24 goals and play a solid defensive game on the club in 1992-93. He jumped up to 37 goals the next season and helped the club come within a game of the finals once again before they lost to the New York Rangers. Following a lockout, New Jersey jelled at the right time and the veteran winger counted 18 points in 20 post-season games when the Devils won their first Stanley Cup.

Joe Pelletier

John MacLean was a very good player in many aspects of the game. But first and foremost he was a goal scorer.

Through nineteen NHL seasons, fourteen of which were spent in New Jersey where he is best remembered, MacLean played 1,194 games, scoring 413 goals and adding 429 assists for 842 career points. He was incredibly consistent, reaching the twenty-goal mark eleven times through his illustrious career. He once held New Jersey team records for goals in a season (45) and career goals (347). He would shoot anywhere and anytime, getting away exceptionally heavy and accurate wrist and slapshots with an amazingly quick release. He was especially deadly on the power play, preferring to set up on the right side of the slot.

Glad to get Maclean. A guy I always liked growing up, seems like he'll be a valuable add to my team.

 

[BraveCanadian]

With our 19th round pick (505), the Guelph Platers select: G, Roberto Luongo

Career Highlights

Stanley Cup Finalist 2011
William M. Jennings Trophy - 2011
NHL 2nd Team Post Season All Star - 2004, 2007
Played NHL All Star Game - 2004, 2007, 2009

World Cup Gold 2004
World Championship Gold 2003, 2004
World Championship Silver 2005
Olympic Gold Medalist 2010, 2014



Vitals:

Position: G
Catches: Left
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217lbs.
Born: Apr 4, 1979 (Montreal, Que)



Regular Season

As of this writing Luongo is 15th all time in wins:

369W - 307L - 92T with a career .919

Hart Record - 2, 6, 10, 12, 17

Vezina Record - 2, 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 10

Top 10s in Save Percentage - 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 9, 10



Playoffs

Career: 32W-31L .916

Took the Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 and gets a lot of blame for appearing shaky at times during the series.
the loss.

However, 2 of the 3 Vancouver wins were 1-0 shutouts by Luongo and the 3rd win was 3-2 in OT.

It is also important to note that in the entire 7 game series the Canucks scored only 8 goals.



​

 

[BraveCanadian]

With our 17th round pick (449), the Guelph Platers select: C, Ryan Getzlaf

Career Highlights

Stanley Cup Champion 2007
Olympic Gold Medalist 2010, 2014
Hart Trophy Finalist 2013-2014
Ted Lindsay Trophy Finalist 2013-2014
Played NHL All Star Game 2008, 2009

World Junior Gold 2005



Vitals:

Position: C
Catches: Right
Height: 6-4
Weight: 221lbs.
Born: May 10, 1985 (Regina, Sask.)



Regular Season

Top 10 Assists: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Top 10 Points: 2, 6, 10

Seven Year Weighted VsX Score: 78.4

To go with his offense, Getzlaf also has a few Selke votes in 4 seasons: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-2013.



Playoffs

As a 21 year old, Getzlaf lead Anaheim with 17 points in 21 games to help capture the Stanley Cup in 2007.



Quotations and Perspectives

Scouting Report

Assets: His playmaking is first-rate, and he also owns a big shot. A complete package, he plays a well-rounded game. Can play the point on power plays. Powerful, he uses his size effectively down the middle. Is not afraid to play a physical brand of hockey. He's a true leader.

Flaws: Has become inconsistent in terms of production over time. Also has a tendency to take a bad penalty now and then. Will make poor decisions on the ice when he extends his shifts too much, or when he sees too much playing time. Tends to pass up quality shots now and then.

Career Potential: Excellent scoring center and leader.

Source

​

 

[Dreakmur]

Jack Darragh !!!

Awards and Achievements:
4 x Stanley Cup Champion (1911, 1920, 1921, 1923)
Stanley Cup Finalist (1915)

2 x Retro Conn Smythe Award (1920, 1921)

In a 1914 Poll, Darragh was voted to be the best Left Winger and the best Right Winger in the NHA. He received more total votes than any other player.

Offensive Accomplishments:
NHL Points – 4th(1920), 8th(1919), 9th(1918), 9th(1921)
NHL Goals – 6th(1920), 7th(1919), 8th(1918), 13th(1921)
NHL Assists – 1st(1921), 2nd(1920), 7th(1923)

NHA Points – 7th(1914), 8th(1911), 11th(1912), 11th(1916), 15th(1915)
NHA Goals – 5th(1917), 6th(1914), 8th(1911), 10th(1916), 11th(1912)
NHA Assists – 9th(1917)

Consolidated Points – 6th(1920), 10th(1911), 10th(1917), 11th(1921), 12th(1912), 18th(1912), 19th(1919)
Consolidated Goals – 9th(1914), 9th(1917), 10th(1911), 11th(1920), 15th(1919), 18th(1912), 18th(1918), 19th(1916)
Consolidated Assists – 2nd(1921), 3rd(1920), 15th(1917)

Play-off Goals – 3rd(1920), 3rd(1921), 5th(1915), 6th(1917)


4 Year Peak: 1918 to 1921
7th in Points, 66% of 2nd place Joe Malone
9th in Goals, 50% of 2nd place Newsy Lalonde
2nd in Assists, 88% of 1st place Frank Nighbor


Scoring Percentages
Points - 82(1920), 75(1921), 70(1917), 64(1914), 56(1912), 53(1916)

Best 6 Seasons: 400

This year I noticed he (Maurice Richard) is mixing them up with a great change of pace coming in on the defense. He comes swinging and he reminds me of the late Jack Darragh of the old Ottawa Senators, probably one of the greatest, but most overlooked wings of all time.

 

[Dreakmur]

John McKenzie !!!


Awards and Achievements:
2 x Stanley Cup Champion (1970, 1972)

2nd Team All-Star (1970)

All-Star voting – 2nd(1970), 3rd(1968), 3rd(1971), 5th(1972)


Offensive Accomplishments:
Points – 8th(1971), 10th(1970), 12th(1968)
Goals – 12th(1968), 16th(1971), 17th(1970), 20th(1969)
Assists – 12th(1970), 13th(1968), 14th(1971), 16th(1972)

WHA 1973 – 8th in Points per Game, and 4th in Assists per Game
WHA 1974 – 11th in Points per Game, and 4th in Assists per Game

Play-off Points – 4th(1970), 4th(1972)
Play-off Goals – 7th(1970), 10th(1972)
Play-off Assists – 2nd(1970), 3rd(1972)


5-Year Peak: 1968 to 1972
13th in Points, 72% of 2nd place Bobby Orr
13th in Goals, 74% of 3rd place Frank Mahovlich
13th in Assists, 80% of 3rd place Stan Mikita

Scoring Percentages
Points – 81(1970), 79(1968), 77(1971), 59(1972), 52(1969), 51(1967)

Best 6 Seasons: 399​

 

[Velociraptor]

Steven Stamkos, C

Position: Centre/Right Wing (occasionally)
HT/WT: 6'1", 191 lbs
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "Stammer"
Born: February 7th, 1990 in Markham, Ontario

- 2 acknowledgements for NHL Second All-Star Team - (2011, 2012)
- 2-time recipient of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy - (2010, 2012)
- 4-time Top-10 in All-Star C Voting - (2, 2, 3, 3)
- 4-time Top-10 in All-Star RW Voting - (6, 7, 8, 9)
- runner up for the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2012.
- scored 223 goals, 188 assists for 411 points in 395 regular season games played, adding 259 penalty minutes.
- scored 6 goals, 7 assists for 13 points in 18 playoff games played, adding 6 penalty minutes.

Voting Record:

Hart Trophy Voting:

2nd (11-12), 6th (09-10), 8th (12-13), 11th (10-11)

Top 10 Finishes:
Goals - 4x - (1, 1, 2, 2)
Points - 4x - (2, 2, 5, 5)
Power Play Goals - 4x - (1, 2, 2, 8)

Quotes

He just hits the net. He's always accurate.

He reminds me of a young Yzerman

I didn't have as hard a shot, and he's a better skater. His skating ability has opened eyes.

No question.

He's elevated his play and scored so many goals that were part of our comeback. He's such a big part of our team, he should get serious consideration, in my opinion.

The name of the game is to win, so generally you're going to look at who had the biggest impact on a winning team, but every now and then a player is so good and so important to his team, even if they don't make the playoffs, you have to take a look at him.

Of course, Stamkos really already had found his place: the left face-off circle.

Study a shot chart of the center's goals since 2009--10. The left circle, around the face-off dot, looks like a Google Earth picture of a shopping mall on Black Friday. He scored 22 from that circle last season, five so far this year. Coach Guy Boucher emphasizes mobility on the Lightning's amoeba of a power play, and Stamkos, a righthanded shot, indeed pops up in the slot, or on the right side, practically everywhere. Ten of his 19 goals in 20 games have come from below the circles—so-called "dirty areas"—which underscores that hockey's best pure shooter is improving as an impure shooter. (Stamkos had five tip-in goals last season, but his first two goals this year came on deflections.) Clearly his sublime hand-eye coordination can produce tip-ins, but that's like saying Pavarotti could also sing Happy Birthday. He is a goal scorer, with one noteworthy distinction. Like Wayne Gretzky's "office" behind the net, Stamkos's playpen is the left dot, launching pad for hockey's biggest weapon—his one-timer.

The Hockey News

Skates very well, has awesome hand/eye coordination and can score in a variety of ways. His one-timer when parked high in the slot is deadly. Displays solid playmaking and two-way upside. Plays with enough grit and aggression to keep opponents honest.

Elite scorer with big upside.

 

[Velociraptor]

Andrei Markov, D

Position: Defenseman
HT/WT: 6'0", 207 lbs
Handedness: Left
Nickname(s): "General"
Born: December 20th, 1978 in Voskresensk, Russia

- 2-time Top-10 in All-Star D Voting - (6, 6)
- scored 97 goals, 341 assists, 438 points in 752 regular season games played, adding 407 penalty minutes.
- scored 3 goals, 16 assists for 19 points in 54 playoff games played, adding 28 penalty minutes.

more to follow.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

C Don Luce

3x Top 5 Selke Voting: 3, 4, 5 (award didn't exist the first 5 years of his prime, these 3 finishes occurred the first 3 years it was awarded)
VsX: 66, 60, 59, 56, 54, 53, 41
6x Top 10 SHG: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 9
1975 NHL All Star Game Participant
1974-75 Masterson Trophy Winner
Killed 66% of team's penalties over 894 games, the second highest usage post-expansion on some very good PKs

1970s Sabres ES Scoring:

Gilbert Perreault ES Points:
70, 68, 65, 64, 64, 63, 62, 58, 55, 52, 51, 47, 44, 43, 40 (7 year total 456)

Rick Martin ES Points:
63, 61, 57, 57, 49, 49, 45, 41, 38 (7 year total 381)

Craig Ramsay ES Points:
63, 58, 54, 50, 46, 46, 45, 42, 40 (7 year total 362)

Don Luce ES Points:
60, 59, 57, 50, 49, 44, 40, 39 (7 year total 359)

Rene Robert ES Points:
59, 54, 54, 53, 51, 44, 39, 37 (7 year total 354)

Danny Gare ES Points:
62, 60, 60, 58, 53, 48, 48 (7 year total 389)

Luce's dream came true Wednesday, when he was named the winner of the Bill Masterson Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Luce is considered one of the better checkers in the league today, but it wasn't always that way.

"It's funny. When I played junior hockey, I ended up third in scoring. I thought I could score all right and then I came to Buffalo and they really didn't need scorers. I was in New York before that and Detroit and there again, I wasn't going to play on the power play too often."

"So at that time, I figured if I've got to play in the league, which I wanted to do, I've got to learn to check."

"If you play your defense well, you're playing in their end, so eventually you have to turn into offence."

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAIBAJ&pg=6082,1472236&dq=luce+buffalo&hl=en

None of the three forwards is bothered by the uneven statistics. "Luce and Ramsay are having tough luck with their shooting and I'm cashing in on their rebounds," explains Gare, "Luce and Ramsay are very good in the corners. They set me up. They'll start scoring soon and I'll get some assists."

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAIBAJ&pg=2740,6056326&dq=luce+buffalo&hl=en

Luce would help anchor one of the best checking lines of the decade with a fraction of the recognition.

Acquired on May 25, 1971 from Detroit with Mike Robitaille for Joe Daley, the former 14th overall pick (1966) would make his name at first as one of the better defensive centers and penalty killers around, a valuable cog for those 1970s Sabres teams. Though the league didn’t recognize the achievements of defensive forwards at that time, it’s believed that Luce would’ve won that award a few times before it was introduced in 1978.

Another notable trait of Luce during his tenure with the Sabres: he was incredibly durable. He spent a decade in Buffalo and missed just 14 games over that span, racking up 766 games in a Sabre uniform over that time.

Don Luce was always underrated during his time in Western New York. A steady scorer and shut down defensive forward, Luce was the man behind The French Connection, making the Sabres into a contender.

http://thefarmclub.net/2013/08/09/18-greatest-buffalo-sabres-of-all-time-don-luce/

In Buffalo Luce would develop into one of the best defensive centers and penalty killers of his era. Luce, who only missed 14 games in a decade of service with the Sabres, would often work with equally reliable left winger Craig Ramsay and sniper Danny Gare to form one of the best checking lines of the 1970s. The Sabres had perhaps the best #1 line and best #2 line in the entire league.

It is unfortunate that the NHL did not award a trophy for best defensive forward until 1978, as Luce likely would have won the trophy at least in 1974-75, if not in other years.

http://sabreslegends.blogspot.com/2007/06/don-luce.html

Don Luce was a superior defensive centre and penalty killer who could score and work the power play. His strong two-way play and work on face offs aided all five teams on which he played, especially the Buffalo Sabres.

Luce was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in May 1971 and went on to become one of the top defensive centres and penalty killers in the game

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13429

 

[BillyShoe1721]

G Mikka Kiprusoff

6x Top 6 AS Voting: 1, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6
7x Top 8 Vezina Voting: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 8
3x Top 20 Hart Voting: 3, 4, 20
2007 NHL All Star Game Participant
2005-06 Jennings Trophy Winner
7x Top 10 Wins: 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 10
5x Top 10 SV%: 1, 3, 9, 9, 10
3x Top 10 GAA: 1, 1, 7
3x Top 10 Shutouts: 1, 3, 6

2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist
1999 & 2001 World Championships Silver Medalist
2004 World Cup of Hockey Silver Medalist

 

[BillyShoe1721]

LW/D Tom Anderson

1941-42 Hart Trophy Winner (as a defenseman)
1941-42 1st Team All Star (as a defenseman)
2 voting points at RW, 4 voting points at LW in 1938-39
1 voting point at LW, 39-40
VsX(as a LW): 91, 72, 57, 56
VsX(as a defenseman): 76 (led defensemen in goals, assists, points)

"Tommy Anderson worked with Bill a lot," he said, pointing out skating a positioning were key focuses. "In fact, Tommy wasn't a great skater himself. He was a choppy skater and he had bowlegs, but he was a very good hockey player."

Shea also points his readers to an old press clipping that stated, "Like the old bird do, Tommy Anderson knows the shortest distance between two points, gets there on schedule and usually breaks up some well-oiled play the opposition wants to put through."

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2009/12/tommy-cowboy-anderson.html

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Ed Van Impe, D​

As a hockey player, Ed Van Impe was not blessed with blazing speed, flashy puck-handling skills or an offensive touch from the point. But buried deep within his frame was a copious supply of toughness, determination, and the intelligence to play within his abilities. Those abilities remained consistently anchored to his own zone where he held court as one of the ultimate defensive defensemen of his day.

• 2nd in Calder voting to Bobby Orr (1967)
• Norris record: 9th (1974), 11th (1975)
• All Star record: 10th (1968), 11th (1974), 12th (1967), 15th (1969), 18th (1975)
• Selected to play in 3 All Star Games (1969, 1974, 1975)
• Stanley Cup winner (1974, 1975)
  Inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame (1993)

After playing his first five professional seasons with the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL, Ed Van Impe saw his first NHL action with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966–67. He had a solid rookie season as he was voted the runner-up to Bobby Orr for the Calder Trophy.

Left unprotected for the expansion draft that off-season, the Philadelphia Flyers picked Van Impe off the Black Hawks roster. He played eight and a half seasons with the Flyers and was one of the team's best defensive blueliners, serving as the second captain in franchise history from 1968 to 1973. His forte was hitting and shot-blocking, as well as clearing opponents from the area of his team's net. He was part of the Broad Street Bullies teams that won two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975.

On January 11, 1976, at the Spectrum, Van Impe’s Flyers, as part of Super Series '76, played a memorable exhibition game against the Soviet Union's dominant Central Red Army team. Having just finished serving a hooking penalty, Van Impe left the penalty box and immediately placed a devastating hit on the Soviet Union’s Valeri Kharlamov, knocking the latter unconscious and causing him to lay prone of the ice for a short while. Van Impe's hit was not penalized and it resulted in the Soviets leaving the ice midway through the first period in protest. After 17 minute delay, the Soviets finally returned to the ice after they were warned that they would lose their salary for the entire series (200,000 USD) if they did not.[citation needed]

Van Impe's Flyer career came to an end mid-way through the 1975–76 season as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Bobby Taylor for Gary Inness and cash. His Penguins career lasted a mere 22 games as he retired in 1976–77.

Van Impe, the second captain of the Broad Street Bullies, helped set the Flyer's bruising standards through his unrelenting play. He was known for his heavy open ice hits and his liberal stick work, but he never considered himself to be a goon.

"I don't want a tough guy reputation. I'd rather be known as a tough, hard working defenseman. I'd like to cut down the penalties. Some of them hurt the team," he said. In fact, that quote came in the early 1970s, prior to the arrival of the likes of Dave "The Hammer" Schultz.

While he never put up many points, Van Impe was respected for his defensive play. He was a left handed shot who was comfortable playing on the right side. He was steady defensively, sacrificing his body regularly to take out his man or block a shot. He was not in anyways flashy.

Yet Van Impe's reputation as a goon was, unfairly, cemented after his infamous hit on Soviet superstar Valeri Kharlamov. The Russian wizard was knocked out after smacking his face against Van Impe's big elbow, as the Flyers' dman would explain it.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Patrice Bergeron, C

Along with Zdeno Chara, Bergeron has been the heart of one of the best teams in the NHL over the last several years.

• Selke record: 1, 2, 4, 5. His 2nd place finish was one of the closest votes ever. And is there any doubt he'll be a finalist again this year?
• Bergeron's ranks in SHTOI among forwards on his team since 2008-09: 3, 2, 1, 1, 2
• Won a Stanley Cup and 2 Olympic Gold Medals
• Strong even strength scorer
• Widely considered the best faceoff man in the NHL over the past few years.
• Usually starts his shift in the defensive zone, but his team outshoots the opponents by a wide margin when he's on the ice - the dominant "zone adjusted Corsi" player in the league today

Even strength scoring

Bergeron has had a good 6-7 years now as a strong even strength scorer

Best 6 years (not including the current season)
Pete Mahovlich 321 (260 without the Lafleur seasons - his true value is probably somewhere in the middle)
Don Luce 283
Patrice Bergeron 277
Derek Sanderson 261
Dave Poulin 249
Mike Peca 230

Best 7 years (not including the current season)
Pete Mahovlich 360 (297 without the Lafleur seasons)
Don Luce 318
Patrice Bergeron 307
Derek Sanderson 288
Dave Poulin 283
Mike Peca 252

Link to season by season numbers of these players

Bergeron compared to Kesler and Richards by the career numbers (as of 2012-13

Player | GP | G | A | P| Non-PP G| Non-PP A |Non-PP Pts| PP% | TmPP+ | SH% | TmSH+
Patrice Bergeron | 558 | 149 | 273 | 422 |104 |183 |287 |41% | 1.22| 39% | 0.92
Ryan Kesler | 568| 154 | 188 | 342 | 103| 134 |237 | 62%| 0.92 | 40%| 0.90
Mike Richards | 549 | 157 | 253 |410 | 114 |145 | 259 | 51%| 1.13 |39%| 0.84

Their penalty killing stats are remarkably close - all have killed a lot of penalties with a lot of success.

Bergeron has played the most on the power play for the worst power play teams. Kesler has played the least on the power play for the best power play teams. There's not necessarily a lot to distinguish the three here and none are significant PP contributors in an all-time sense.

Looking at their non-PP scoring (as that's their role in this draft), their goal scoring numbers are pretty similar. Bergeron has the most assists and Kesler the fewest. Linemates are probably part of that, but I think most people would agree that Bergeron is a better playmaker than Kesler.

Defense and puck possession
2012-13:

A few days ago I posted the top 20 players by team and zone adjusted Corsi ratings. Leading the list was Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins. This is a strong argument that Bergeron is the best puck possession player in the NHL in 2013.

Bergeron is a top defensive forward with solid offensive skills. He plays a tough role for the Boston Bruins where he plays against tough opposition and has a large number of defensive zone starts. Despite that, while Bergeron is on the ice Boston usually controls the puck. This is a significant advantage to the Bruins. The best players on the opposing team play what should be offensive shifts but Boston takes control of the puck. That is a way to diffuse the offensive strength of their opposition. I think this shows Bergeron is a far more valuable player than his offensive numbers show. That is why he has played with Team Canada in the Winter Olympics. He is a centreman who hasn't topped 65 points in a season in the last six years and is far more valuable than those numbers show. This is a success of Corsi to show the value of a player who is clearly more valuable than his offensive numbers show.

http://kuklaskorner.com/psh/comments/patrice-bergeron-has-the-best-team-and-zone-adjusted-corsi

Bergeron again leads the league in relative Corsi in 2013-14:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/players-most-ice-impact-teams-203821986--nhl.html (Puck Daddy stupidly says that makes Bergeron the NHL's MVP )

From a preview of the Sochi Olympics:

Over the course of 12 months, Patrice Bergeron went from being one of the most underrated players in the NHL, to being given MVP-like recognition following the Bruins' trip to the cup finals, to once again being off the radar, as many projections have him left off of Team Canada at this late stage. Some may look at his mere 23 points in 40 games so far and conclude that he hasn't been playing well, but his 60.6% corsi - higher even than last year, and tops among Canadian forward candidates - suggests that he is still very much the dominant force from last season.

Bergeron plays against the best players in the world night in and night out, and starts more than 60% of his non-neutral zone shifts in the defensive zone, meaning he's put in situations to fail. His high on-ice shot differential, high goals-for percentage, and even managing to put up points at all, are indications that he remains one of the top centres in the world, and a deserved lock for this team.

Bergeron also brings flexibility, having played at times on the wing in the past with Canada, meaning one could put him on a line with Jonathan Toews and likely prevent a line from ever scoring a goal. He is the best faceoff man in the world, sitting at 61.6% so far this year, another leader, and can play just about any role that is asked of him. He has been a staple on the Bruins' successful penalty kill for years and will be a key component on the PK in Sochi.

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2...-selecting-team-canada-for-sochi-the-forwards

Sochi post-script:

In Sochi, Bergeron averaged nearly 14 minutes a game. He still assumed big responsibilities in shorthanded ice time and took must-win draws, winning over 63 percent of his faceoffs.
Yet he also became a top-line player. Bergeron was Sidney Crosby's right wing for the medal round, playing on a unit relied on for offense. With Bergeron on the ice, left wing Chris Kunitz and Crosby both scored in the gold medal game.
"He made a lot of highlight clips in our reviews just by how hard he worked on both sides of the coin," said Claude Julien, who ran the Canadians' penalty kill. "Defensively, offensively, he made some great things happen — forecheck, turn pucks over, backcheck. He's such a complete player and it's nice to see that he was seen that same way on the bigger stage. Now there's no doubt on anyone's mind how good he is."
For years, the chatter was that Bergeron was the best at doing the little things. He won the Selke Trophy in 2012, given to the league's best defensive forward.
"I've always said he's the hardest player to play against," Islanders star John Tavares said last month.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140225/SPORTS/140227600/11523/SPORTS/?tag=1

Faceoffs

From 2009-10 to 2012-13, Bergeron won more regular season faceoffs than any other player. His faceoff percentage is the fourth highest over that time.

"When you've got a guy like Bergeron doing such a good job down in your own end, the puck gets out quicker," explained Julien. "When you have those guys on each side of you there's a pretty good attack going on. That's a good line for us and all three deserve a lot of credit."

When the Bruins start with the puck after a faceoff win, it usually translates into success. Boston's centermen are among the league's best. Bergeron is ranked No. 6 in the league with a 61.6 percent success rate on drops. He was 12-for-20 against the Leafs on Thursday. But even when he loses a draw, most times he's still the first one on the puck in an attempt to force a turnover.

"He doesn't like to lose draws," Julien said. "If you lose a draw, for him it's a mistake and he's going to try to redeem himself as quick as he can. That's the reliability that comes with his game."

Playoffs

During Boston's last two trips to the finals (2011 and 2013), Bergeron scored 35 points in 45 games, while leading the line matched up against the toughest opposition.
He scored two goals in the Cup-winning game 7 in 2013

"He was a huge difference maker," Chiarelli says. "If you watch him closely during a game, you'll see he's almost always in the right position. We're a straight-line team, and he gives us so much defensive presence coming back up the middle of the ice."

Says Marchand, "He's always thinking ahead, where the next play is going to go.

In the process he outplayed a man he is often compared with: Vancouver forward Ryan Kesler, who at that point had an early hold on the Conn Smythe Trophy.

"Bergeron to us is as much as Kesler is to them," Bruins coach Claude Julien had said on the eve of the finals. "He brings the same elements. He plays hard every game, he's a great face-off guy, power play, penalty kill.... [He] does it all for us."

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Todd Bertuzzi, W


​

Bertuzzi's peak in Vancouver was largely power play driven, but he's been a consistently solid even strength scorer over his career, averaging 44 adjusted even strength points per season over 1100 career games headed into this season.

Peak:

• 2000-01: 14th in PP goals
• 2001-02: 13th in goals, 8th in assists, 3rd in points, 6th in PP goals
• 2002-03: 3rd in goals, 13th in assists, 5th in points, 1st in PP goals
• 2003-04: 19th in assists in the, ahem, shortened season.

• -4 consecutive 40 assist seasons (02, 03, 04, 06).
• -All Star games in 2003, 2004
• -1st Team AS RW in 2003
• -5th in Hart voting in 2003
• -3rd in All Star voting for LW (behind Naslund and Shanahan) and 6th in All Star voting for RW in 2002. Does anyone know what happened here? Why Bert received more votes for AS LW than AS RW?

As a goon/guy who sticks up for his teammates

The Steve Moore stupidity is widely know, but for a few years, Bertuzzi basically mugged anyone who touched Naslund.

As a Red Wing:

This is how they settle difference in the game of hockey, this is per the "Hockey Code" last game Shea Weber drove Henrik Zetterberg head into the glass at the end of game one, it was an unneeded and unnecessary and dirty hit. So Redwings hack Todd Bertuzzi did the right thing, he challenged Weber to a fight and they settled their difference like men, on the ice.

http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/2012/04/todd-bertuzzi-vs-shea-weber.html

According to dropyourgloves.com, he has a 20-4-14 career record in fights: http://dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=319

Drafted players he has fought: Scott Stevens, Joel Otto, Steve Smith (twice), Owen Nolan, Adam Foote, Keith Tkachuk, Dion Phaneuf (twice), Shea Weber.

THN Forecaster 2014

Assets: Big, strong and mobile, he owns soft hands. Can still score a few goals and set up his linemates. Can also dominate down low. Has improved defensively over time. Is usually pretty good in shootout situations when called upon.

Flaws: Injuries have taken their toll over the years and he's had serious back issues in the past. Production has slowed over time as a result. Can take bad penalties in the offensive zone. Isn't the impact player he once was.
Career Potential: Aging but savvy power forward.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

Coach Jack Adams

3x Stanley Cup Champion
4x Stanley Cup Finalist (in addition to 3 cup wins)
2x 1st Team All-Star Coach (1937, 1943)
1x 2nd Team All-Star Coach (1945)
413-390-161 career regular season record
52-52-1 career playoff record

Adams was not only Detroit's on-ice authority but also its business manager, travelling secretary, and publicist. He was also loud, brash, and pugnacious, first as a player and then an executive. He was famous for storming the officials' room at the Olympia to berate the referee for calls he--Adams--objected to. But in the off-season, he'd fight tooth and nail at the governors' meetings for pay raises for the officials. That was his style--tough and fair.

“Although he was known as "Jovial Jawn," Adams liked big, tough players and physical play.â€

“Without Jack “Jovial Jawn†Adams, there may not be a Detroit Red Wings franchise today… He was an exceptionally galvanic personality who would do anything to win and rarely concerned himself with the consequences.â€

“Adams was well known for his fearlessness on the ice, loyalty as a coach, and ruthlessness as a managerâ€

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

ACE BAILEY
(1st part = HHH, 2nd part = Stoneberg)

Part 1

The NHL lost one of the greats of the game on December 12, 1933. That was the night that Ace Bailey's brilliant yet brief career as a hockey player came to an end. A disastrous collision with Bruins legend Eddie Shore resulted in Bailey fracturing his skull." Bailey had two brain operations and hovered between life and death for 10 days. Bailey eventually recovered to live a normal life but his hockey career was finished.

Yet in his short 7 seasons in the NHL, Bailey established himself as a premier scoring threat and excellent defensive forward... With his electrifying speed and heavy shot, he had star written all over him.

Bailey would live up to that potential. In his very first season he scored 15 goals and 28 points in 42 games. That doesn't sound significant by today's standards but that was very impressive back in 1926-27. Those totals led the Leafs, and placed him 6th overall in league scoring. By 1928-29 Bailey became the NHL scoring champion. His 22 goals and 31 points were only challenged by the great Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons (21 goals and 29 points). Ace would improve upon his scoring totals in each of the next two years.

...By 1931-32 the famed Toronto Kid Line of Busher Jackson, Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher had taken over as the offensive leaders of the club. The three would finish in the top 4 in league scoring that season, and would become one of the greatest lines in hockey history. Bailey took the transition in great stride. He allowed these sensation kids to score the goals while he became one of the game's fiercest defensive players. He was a penalty-killer extraordinaire and a great shadow. Though his scoring totals were down, in no way was Bailey any less an important member of the Leafs than when he was their scoring hero. In fact his selfless defensive sacrifice and gritty play and leadership made him more valuable than ever, and it showed in the team's success. In 1932 he spirited a great playoff run which was capped off with the Stanley Cup championship.

Awards

Stanley Cup in 1932
retro Maurice Richard Trophy in 1929
retro Art Ross Trophy in 1929

2nd in Hart Trophy voting in 1929

Top 10's

Goals: 1st (29), 7th (31)

Assists: 3rd (27), 4th (29), 6th (31), 8th (30)

Points: 1st (29), 4th (31), 6th (27)


Part 2 (Not sure what this proves but it's what I could dig up)

xxx and Bailey were the dangerous ones last night in charges on the Canadien goal...

Bailey clinched the contest for his team in the dying moments of the game.

The Leafs main forward line, xxx, center; Irvin Bailey, right wing; and xxx, left wing; are rated one of the speediest lines in hockey...

"We would not sell Bailey at any price," said Mr. Campbell. "And we would not trade him for any player in the N.H.L."

Ace Bailey, brilliant right winger from the leafs, assisted in the scoring of both goals

Most of the scoring and roughness came in the second period when Rabit McVeigh started the action with a goal for the Americans and Ace Bailey came back with two for the Leafs less than 20 seconds apart.

The weekly returns issued from the office of President Frank Calder indicate that "Ace" Bailey , star right winger of the Toronto club is not unworthy of the nickname thrust upon him...

Irvin (Ace) Bailey, hard-shooting right winger of the Leafs

Scoring honors for the 1928/29 season in the National Hockey League have been captured by Irvin Ace Bailey dashing right wing of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Five minutes later Ace Bailey broke clear around the Rangers' left defense and loomed in front of Roach to tie the score in 10:42.

"Ace" Bailey put the Leafs ahead again before the period ended when he slapped Primeau's pass into the net on one of the prettiest goals of the night.
...
Ace Bailey was in sparkling form...

Play was kept in the visitors' zone until Ace Bailey seized the disc and dashed to New York ice.

In the second period, the Maple Leafs were assessed two consecutive minor penalties, so the Bruins were on a five-on-three power play. Dick Irvin Sr., the Leaf's coach, did what any smart coach would do in such a situation: he sent out his two best defensemen - Red Horner and Francis "King" Clancy - as well as his most defensive-minded forward, Irvine "Ace" Bailey.

Bailey won the first face-off and managed to carry the puck around the ice, eluding the entire Bruins team, for nearly a minute.

When he won the next face-off, he ragged the puck again, before firing it the legnth of the ice into the Bruins' end.

(Dec 12, 1933)

It was the first case of an "awarded" goal in the NHL since March 12, 1927, when Reg Noble of the Montreal Maroons threw his stick at Ace Bailey of the newly named Toronto Maple Leafs. Bailey had stripped Noble of the puck at the Maroons' blueline and broke in all alone...

a smoking shot [/B]to the corner.

...Gardiner stopped the shot, but Bailey came in like flash to flip the disc into the cage.

...and in the third period Bailey snared the puck away from a Canadien forward as it lay unprotected in front of the Toronto goal.

It was nearly fifteen minutes later when Bailey, uncovered before Hainsworth, accepted a pass from xxx and sent a bullet-like shot creashing into the Canadien cage.

Bailey is ably supported in the Toronto in the Toronto first string forward line by xxx, tall centre, and xxx at left wing. All three have youth and speed and are willing to pass to their mates as well as shoot goals themselves.

Bailey, the leading NHL scorer two years ago, has given indications he will be hard on the opposing goalkeepers by the force and accuracy of his sniping.

Red Horner, Harold Darragh, Ace Bailey, xxx and xxx were the other hard-working standouts for the Leafs

The Ace apparently was looking for trouble most of the evening to judge from his caperings and in the third he got it.

Just two and a half minutes after the opening face-off, Bailey stole the puck from Abel as Taffy was starting a solitary dash down the ice, and after stick-handling past xxx, he passed accross the goal mouth to give Day an easy shot for the first goal.

Trottier and xxx were sent on to bear the brunt of the forward line attackand did so neatly for a few seconds, Bailey, however, secured the puck just inside the Maroon blueline. He was skated into the boards by Trottier, but the latter proved a bit lax in covering his man and in a flash Bailey had stickhandled himself clear to send down a long pass to xxx...

Irvin Bailey, who was the best man on the ice, started early in the game to "get" Aurel Joliat's noted "goat". And Bailey did this with such effect that the pair shared six penalties in the first period. They packed high sticks against one another throughout the tussle. Joliat was put completely off his game...

xxx, xxx, Bailey and xxx were the best of the forwards and all deserved counters. They passed the puck more than usual, and were constantly checking back.

Bailey worked hard throughout, and got a goal to keep pace with Nels Stewart, but he had little on any of his teammates.

xxx took the count when he was stepped into by Bailey, and was replaced by Clapper.

Bailey came back just in time to break up a Hec Kilrea-Lamb rush that looked dangerous.

Albert Leduc cracked the Toronto star (Bailey) over the head when the latter blocked his rush.

-Lost the source on this one, it was in either the Ottawa Citizen or Montreal Gazette in the early 30's I think.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs players are penalized this season Coach Dick Irvin won't have to depend entirely on xxx and "Ace" Bailey to keep the puck out of the Leaf end of the rink until his team is back to full stregnth. For Irvin is drilling most of his staff of forwards in the fine art of "ragging" a nicety of hockey business at which few players are adept.

Last season xxx and Bailey carried much of the load of killing time and when Bailey was injured xxx was the man of the moment. A few times xxx was the player penalized and then it was just too bad. Irvin plans to have others of his forwards perfect themselves in the manoeuvre so no matter who is waved to the bench he will still have players capable of fighting off opposing forwards.

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Charlie Conacher, RW
(Most of this from Velociraptor)

Position: Right Wing
HT/WT: 6'1", 200 lbs, (14" dong)
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "The Big Bomber"
Born: December 20, 1909 in Toronto, ON

Awards
Stanley Cup: (1932)
Retroactive Conne Smythe: (1932)
NHL First All-Star Team (1934, 1935, 1936)
NHL Second All-Star Team (1932, 1933)
HHOF: (1961)

Top 10 Finishes:
Goals - 5x (1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
Assists - 1x (5)
Points - 5x (1, 1, 3, 4, 4)
Penalty Minutes - 2x (4, 9)

Hart Voting Record:

2nd (34-35), 4th (35-36)

Quotes

But Charlie Conacher was the guy who could score the big goal for you, and he could score in a lot of different ways.

It felt like somebody had turned a blow torch on me. I couldn't sit down for a week.

I never had a finer friend in Toronto than Charlie, he was my protection as a Maple Leaf. I wasn't too big and not too good with my mitts, although I tried to win many a battle. If you got a punch in the chin, you either went down or stood up, shook your head and took it. but Conacher was Toronto's policeman for many years and a great one. He didn't go looking for trouble, but if it came along he would clear it up.

Frank Selke, The Montreal Gazette, Nov. 10, 1962

Who was the greatest of them all? I have no hesitation in saying Charlie Conacher, the flashing right winger of the Maple Leafs' famous "Kid Line" of the 30's. He ranks as the greatest all-around athlete I have managed in my 50 years with sport.

I have never known any player and that includes Maurice Richard, Nels Stewart and Gordie Howe - who has reduced the scoring of goals to an exact science as Charlie Conacher.

Those who remember will tell you that Charlie always made the right moves going in on a goal; if he failed to score it was only because other teams also had great defensive players and goaltenders.

Conacher was a truly potent scorer but, bevause he tried to make every play a picture-move, he failed to match the goal-scoring skill of Maurice Richard.

Legends of Hockey

Charlie Conacher inspired a generation of Leaf players with his hard work and determination.

In his time, Charlie "The Big Bomber" Conacher had the hardest shot in hockey, a notorious blast that eluded goaltenders and dented rink boards. As a member of one of the most dangerous lines in hockey history, the Toronto Maple Leafs' Kid Line of the 1930s, right wing Conacher and left wing XXXXXX XXXXXXX were the beneficiaries of center XXX XXXXXXX's slick passes as the threesome found itself near the top of the scoring lists for the better part of a decade.

With his linemates' help, Conacher became the best right wing in the game over the next half-decade. He was a daring and explosive scorer who used his size 6'1" and 200 pounds in his heyday - to his advantage. He could beat goalies equally well with his booming shot or with a deft move from close range. Once he got moving, he was famous for bowling over anyone between him and the net - and then often the net itself as he crossed the goal line just a few seconds after the puck.

Five times between 1930 and 1936, Conacher either led or tied for the league lead in goal-scoring. He was a Second Team All-Star in his second and third years in the league and a First Team selection for three consecutive seasons beginning in 1933-34. He also helped the Leafs win the Stanley Cup in 1932.

Conacher's style of play - which featured all-out attacks - didn't lend itself to a long career and injuries began to wear the big man down. After nine years with Toronto, he was sold to the Detroit Red Wings, where he played for one year before moving to the New York Americans for two seasons.

Dubbed 'The Big Bomber' for his booming shot, Charlie terrorized opposing netminders and, in the process, scored a league-best 31 goals in 1930-31, yet another season hampered by injury.

Greatest Hockey Legends

Charlie Conacher was the Bobby Hull of hockey before Bobby Hull ever came along.

Conacher was big and strong, with a shot that was feared by goaltenders everywhere in the NHL.

A member of a famous athletic family, he played 12 seasons in the league. While brother XXXXXX gets to most acclaim as the best athlete, it was Charlie who gets the nod as the best hockey player. The five time All Star and two time Art Ross winner is considered one of the greatest right wingers of any era.

Conacher's hands were useful for more than just fighting. The sharpshooter who fired bullets from his stick scored 225 goals, and led the league in goals scored five times in a span of 6 years. Conacher played nine seasons with Toronto.

Who's Who in Hockey

There are those who insist even today that Charlie Conacher was the most exciting player they have ever seen and that his shot was the hardest of its day, when slap shots were unheard of and a player beat a goaltender with a quick snap of his wrist.

... Charlie went on to become one of the most dynamic NHL forwards.

Total NHL

The Kid Line of Charlie Conacher, XXX XXXXXXX and XXXXXX XXXXXXX lifted the Maple Leafs to great heights in the 1930's.

XXX XXXXXXX, XXXXXX XXXXXXX and Charlie Conacher emerged as full-fledged superstars.

Hockeycentral

Bill Cook was rivaled only by Charlie Conacher as the NHL's most dangerous scorer.

YorkRegion Article

...who graced the ice with the likes of franchise legends Charlie Conacher and Joe Primeau.

The Toronto Star

Conacher made a splendid impression in his pro debut and was one of the best men on the ice.

he was just like a tank. Chuck was big and strong – not many guys would mess with him.

The Montreal Gazette, Jan. 3, 1968

He's gone now, but his memory will live as long as the National Hockey League keeps records because he holds a number of them.

Globe and Mail, Friday, Mar. 22, 1935

Bill Cook is asked to personally select his all-time team. He chooses XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX, Eddie Shore, XXXXX XXXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX XXXXXXX and Charlie Conacher. A writer criticizes the team for being too biased in favour of modern players.

Globe and Mail, Wednesday, Apr. 17, 1935

Shore narrowly beats Charlie Conacher and XXX XXXXXXX for the Hart.

Ed Fitkin, The Greenhouse Gang of Hockey

What amazed the veterans was the fact that 20-year-iold Conacher not only could take it but he could dish it out, as well. They began to treat him with a respect seldom before afforded a newcomer

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Mario Lemieux!!!
(Most of this from Dreakmur)



Awards and Acheivements:
2 x Stanley Cup Champion (1991, 1992)

2 x Conn Smythe Winner (1991, 1992)
4 x Lester B. Pearson Winner (1986, 1988, 1993, 1996)
3 x Hart Winner (1988, 1993, 1996)
6 x Art Ross Winner (1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997)

5 x First All-Star (1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997)
4 x Second All-Star (1986, 1987, 1992, 2001)

Award Voting
Hart Voting: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5
AS Voting: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4

Top 10s:
Points - 2nd(1986), 3rd(1987), 1st(1988), 1st(1989), 4th(1990), 1st(1992), 1st(1993), 1st(1996), 1st(1997), 8th(2003)
Goals - 7th(1986), 3rd(1987), 1st(1988), 1st(1989), 9th(1990), 7th(1992), 3rd(1993), 1st(1996), 3rd(1997)
Assists - 2nd(1986), 2nd(1988), 1st(1989), 4th(1990), 2nd(1992), 4th(1993), 1st(1996), 1st(1997), 3rd(2003)

Play-off Points – 7th(1989), 1st(1991), 1st(1992), 9th(1993), 2nd(1996), 8th(2001)
Play-off Goals – 4th(1989), 2nd(1991), 1st(1992), 2nd(1996), 8th(2001)
Play-off Assists – 1st(1991), 2nd(1992), 2nd(1996), 7th(2001)

“He was big and strong but rarely had to bully his way through defenders, sending them flying instead with deft fakes and dekes. In him, the attributes of the pure scorer and the playmaker were fused and his size, reach and balance made his end-to-end rushes seem effortless. In a few long strides, with a twist of those wide shoulders and quick change of direction, he found space on the ice where previously the way had been closed. Forced to choose between his accurate and heavy shot or his long arms reaching around them with a sweeping move, goalies were often left shaking their heads while they retrieved the puck from the net. Rarely has a sport's dominant player made the game look so easy and natural.†– Legends of Hockey

“He became an unstoppable offensive force that would win two Stanley Cups.†– Joe Pelletier

“You can’t check him. He’s too big. He’s too strong. He’s too smart for everybody else. That’s where he became the player he was. He was such a powerful man. He is the first big man to be that soft and that skilled.†– Michel Goulet

“He was so big, and so strong, and gifted, with so much talent. In my game, he was the very first man to combine that size, and of course, you know, I’d seen that size before, but never combined with that talent†– Denis Potvin

“He was a major threat; I mean he could do everything. He was so big. He’d come down on you on a break-away, and he’d have it nine feet to the left, and then he’d pull it, and it was almost like it was nine feet to the right. There’s just no way you could stop him on a break-away.†– Billy Smith

“He was pretty well unstoppable because of his reach. You could take his body, but they couldn’t take his body and his hands; it took more than one player. He had a lot of finesse.†– Scotty Bowman

“His reach was unbelievable, and for a big man he didn’t lose control of the puck. A lot of big guys have the long reach, but they lose control. He could beat a player three or four different times in one sequence and still end up making a great play.†– Pierre McGuire

“It was just so typical of him; he had such a flare for the dramatic. The fact that he scored his first goal on his first shift, on his first shot, in his first game in the National Hockey League, and then he scored a goal on his last shift of his last game, just tells you about this tremendous ability to just seize the moment, and deliver exactly what he wanted to deliver at the right time.†– Paul Steigerwald

“Just by being in the same atmosphere as such leaders and by watching and noting what these superstars did to prepare themselves and their team for victory, he learned what it would take to achieve his potential and be a winner.

He began to emulate the work ethic and commitment, and as the tournament went on, he was rewarded with greatness.†– Joe Pelletier

“You know there’s not many players I would say that you’d pay the price they’re asking for tickets now, but he was one. You could go to a game, and at least two or three times, if not a dozen times, he’d do something that nobody else could do†– Harry Neale

“Even at less than 100 percent health Lemieux proved he was still the best player in the world. And as team captain, Lemieux was determined to lead Canada back to Olympic gold medal glory for the first time in 50 years.†– Joe Pelletier

“I think we have to show some pride in the jersey that we are wearing, and can't quit.†- Mario Lemieux

“All I wanted to do was try to play hockey and be part of a team. Sometimes I had to do it with a lot of back pain, but that was better than sitting in the stands.†– Mario Lemieux

Here’s a nice video compilation of amazing Mario Lemieux goals and assists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHJs3VqUpuU

Here’s a few videos that show Mario Lemieux is not soft, and actually, he’s got quite a little mean streak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaYLuP9Iv5c&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyAPkB5m2Q&feature=related

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Bill Gadsby
(Most of this from Nalyd Psycho)

|

|

-3x First Team All-Star (1956, '58 & '59)
-4x Second Team All-Star (1953, '54, '57 & '65)
-3x Top 10 in NHL Assists (3rd: 1956 & '59, 7th: 1957)
-Once Top 10 in NHL Scoring (9th: 1956)
-13x Top 10 in NHL scoring by a defenceman (1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,4,4,6,7,7)
-12x Top 10 in NHL assists by a defenceman (1,1,1,2,2,2,3,4,4,4,7,8)
-11x Top 10 in NHL goals by a defenceman (1,1,2,2,2,3,3,4,6,6,9)

Award Voting
Hart: 6, 6
Norris: 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
AS Team: 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 7, 7

While playing with the Hawks, Gadsby established himself as a terrific competitor who was equally adept at leading a rush as he was on the defensive aspects of the game. Bill could be an aggressive player on the ice (a (clean) bodycheck on Tim Horton in 1955 broke the Leafs' player's leg and jaw, almost ending his career) but whose calm demeanour off the ice was a paradox.

Bill reflected on an outstanding career that saw him named one of The Hockey News's Top 100 NHL Players of All-Time, and in 1970, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. "In reviewing my career, I'm proud that I left the NHL as the highest scoring defenseman in NHL history. I'm more proud of the fact that Gordie Howe and I were the first players to play 1,000 games. In the days of Original Six hockey, to play through injury, pain and discomfort was expected as much as it was admired. The tradition passed down from generation to generation. When I came up with the Black Hawks in 1946, I watched John Mariucci slather liniment over his body to reduce the pain he would endure just to play. He played on nights when he could barely walk into the dressing room. He was the toughest man I ever met. I feel quite good that I left the game with a reputation of a man who played through many injuries. When the Red Wings acquired me at age 34 in 1961, (Boston Bruins' great) Eddie Shore said, 'He will play three to five more years. He is virtually indestructible.' That kind of praise means plenty to me because it meant that I never cheated on my effort."

Source

I asked him (Stan Mikita) who was the toughest defensive forward he faced and he demurred on the question, telling me the term defensive forward was not applicable to that era. He told me forwards were expected to be two-way players. However when asked which defenseman gave him trouble I was delighted to hear him tell me that it was Bill Gadsby who gave him trouble. I won't repeat what he called Gadsby but it confirmed what Gadsby told me when I interviewed him in 2007.

Source

In Detroit, Bill Gadsby was one of the best at it when I was a kid in the early and mid-1960s. My Dad, who hated the Red Wings, used to complain that Gadsby blocked more shots than did the Red Wing goaltenders.

Source

Think of great shot blockers and Bill Gadsby, Al Arbour, Mike Ramsey, Dave Lewis, Ken Morrow and Guy Carbonneau come quickly to mind.

Source

in a New York uniform he blossomed into one of the great defencemen of his time. The only rearguard who was consistently rated better was Doug Harvey of Montreal.

Source

Appraising Gadsby, en nefligee in the Detroit dressing room, you wonder why he exposes himself to the annual torture. He's 39 years old and his battered physiogomy resembles a topographical map of Alberta's rugged terrain. He has a spinal column which is strung together with pieces of binder-twine and his toothless mouth resembles the entrance to the five-mile Connaught Tunnel.

Yet, you should have seen that old buzzard flying in the second period of Sunday's game when the Black Hawks suddenly came to life and played their best offensive hockey of this entire series.

Gadsby was magnificent as the Red Wings played shorthanded while Marshall served a penalty. He extinguished the flames of the Chicago attack as he scurried about, committing larceny and borderline assault.

Four times, calmly he shot the puck to the other end of the rink. Once, he risked murder at the hands of the maddened Chicago fanatics as he delayed the game when he went to the Detroit bench and, with meticulous care, selected a new bludgeon.

To cap it all, Gadsby dumped Stan Mikita with a thump which must have caused earth tremors to rattle the fishes at Mikita's birthplace in Soheice, Czechoslovakia.

Tremblay rates Detroit's Bill Gadsby and Toronto's Allan Stanley as the toughest opposing defencemen in the league.

Source

It was unfortunate that Gadsby was the miscreant whose incarceration gave the Leafs the opportunity to score that fourth insurence goal. He had been a valient villain all evening, robbing the Leafs on numerous occasions. Sawchuk was credited with 29 stops. However, Gadsby must have stopped another dozen shots and, additionally, he saved three possible goals; deflecting goal-mouth drives by Eddie Shack and Bob Nevin and intercepting a pass from Pulford to Shack, who was gleefully waiting to fire the puck down Sawchuk's throat.

In fairness, I must report that Gadsby also got away with mayhem, A Leaf seldom skated over the Detroit blueline without finding of of Gadsby's knees in his lap.

Source