Pittsburgh AC:
Original Red and White colours of the AC
"No individuals. One TEAM."
Head Coach:
Pete Green
Please see my extensive bio above (click on Pete Green) for in depth review.
Won 5 SC's outright (1909, 1911, 1920, 21, 23) coaching 2 separate dynasties in Ottawa. From 1908-09 through 1912-13, Green was 50-28 in the top league in the world. 2nd place in 2012. 5th place in final year.
His run with the 1st Ottawa dynasty was actually more potent offensively. The team finished 1st in goals scored 4 separate times, while still being 2nd or 3rd in goals against each season. The bulk of this dynasty saw great forwards, with depth, and Shore/Lake on the back end which is exactly what Green has available on his 2nd pairing here.
Green came up up with a "double defense" system and implemented it as a strategy to counter teams that had better skaters during this period. This entailed keeping any one of the F's back as a "3rd dman". Different combinations were used to stop opposing rushes. Neutral ice clogged up at times. And despite this style, Ottawa remained juggernauts offensively.
His impact in having players in top physical condition is also noted as a reason Ottawa is the superior hockey team of this period.
He discovered and coached up Jack Darrah and Dubbie Kerr in this period and was the man responsible for switching Cyclone Taylor to the blue line after he originally was tried on the F line and had trouble working combinations.
TOTALS FROM FIRST STINT AS OTTAWA HC:
50-28 - .641 W%
514 GF
362 GA
+152
2 STANLEY CUP TITLES (1909, 1911)
If the first run as coach wasn't impressive enough, Green came back to Ottawa in 1919-20 and promptly won a Cup. Overall, from 1919-20 through 1924-25 Green led Ottawa to a 94-52-4 record that saw them win titles in 20, 21, and 23.
The latter dynasty is loaded with information regarding coaching style, tactics used, communication both before, in, post game. Player and coach testimony are plentiful.
His kitty bar the door trap tactics were a direct predecessor to the more modern neutral ice trapping made famous by Hap Day. The NHL had to alter rules to counter how effective Green's schemes were.
Noted to run practices to prepare for 6 man rules, forward passing, rink sizes, etc.
Noted to specifically use different players/combinations to check opposing players.
Purposely used Jack Darragh to great effect on his off wing to check Babe Dye.
Literally scouted and discovered King Clancy and developed him into HOF blue liner. Developed Sprague Cleghorn as well who was later quoted calling Green a cunning general and someone any hockey player could play well for while openly wishing/stating Green was the HC of Montreal.
TOTALS FROM SECOND STINT AS OTTAWA HC:
94-52-4 - .627 W%
558 GF
397 GA
+161
3 STANLEY CUP TITLES (1920, 1921, 1923)
GRAND TOTAL CAREER RECORD:
144-80-4 - .632 W%
(Just barely behind Toe Blake and far ahead of Lester Patrick, Joel Quennville, Dick Irvin, etc)
GF - 1,072
GA - 759
+313
5 STANLEY CUP TITLES (1909, 11, 1920, 21, 23)
Assistant Coach:
Larry Robinson
"It's hard not to respect Larry Robinson. He was a guy, you'd run through a brick wall for. He was such a player's coach."
-Ken Daneyko
This is a man who was a legendary defensemen as a player, then was a high profile assistant on the 95 Cup team, became the first interim coach to win a SC in 2000. The next season as a full time HC he got the Devils back to the SCF's where they lost in game 7 to the Avs. Fired in the 01-02 year he came back right before 02-03 as a defensive assignments coach and the Devils won the Cup that summer. Check the video out for how instrumental, big time players on that 2000 Cup team, said Robinson was.
Robinson will provide a boon to the entire defensive system, which is already stellar with Green as the HC. But overall the defensemen will benefit the most. He got great results not just at even strength but on both special teams as well. And most importantly he seemed to be incredibly well respected as a players coach, not surprising given his resume as a player.
Leadership:
Jean Beliveau. Greatest Captain of all time. Ridiculous 10 SC titles as a player. One of the most respected players in all of professional sports.
Bob Gainey would easily be a C on a number of teams here if not for being on the same team as JB. He was the Captain of Montreal for almost the entire 1980's to include the masterful 86 Cup run that saw the emergence of Pat Roy. 5 Cups overall.
Art Coulter had tough task of following Bill Cook as the Rangers captain but did a darn fine job. Spent 5 years wearing the C for NY and led them to a title in 1940. Highly respected and devoted to teamwork.
Duncan Keith may never have been a captain but he's wore an A in Chicago since 2008. In other words, a long time, through 3 Cup wins and is highly respected in the Chicago locker room. On many teams in the NHL he'd have the C. Thrilled to have a gamer like him here even without a letter.
Ed Westfall could easily have an A here as he was the Islander original captain for 5 seasons until Gillies took over. Another guy who was beloved by his teammates. Olmstead was a dear friend of Beliveau and wore an A in Montreal for years. Kunitz wore an A for 8 years in Pittsburgh which included the back to back runs.
Forwards:
Bert Olmstead - Jean Beliveau (C) - Helmuts Balderis
Beliveau is one of the 10 greatest players in my estimation. He was a nimble giant. Could have played in any era, for any style of team and done very well. Legendary leader and postseason player. The ultimate winner and leader.
And he gets to roll with his real life LW of numerous years, Bert Olmstead. Olmstead is one of the great glue guys of all time. Elite in the corners. Above average defensively. Incredibly strong and physical. Heavily slanted towards play making.
Think chemistry matters?
Consider while Olmstead and Beliveau were line mates from 1954-55 through 1957-58 we saw Olmstead lead the lead in assists twice, posting his top 2 offensive seasons of his career. Beliveau won his 1st Hart, his 1st Rocket and his only Art Ross with Olmstead on his LW.
They went to 4 straight SCF's winning 3 in a row in 56, 57, and 58 with the 1956 title seeing Beliveau post one of the all time great playoff performances. 19 points in 10 games, including 10 in 5 games in the finals. Olmstead and Beliveau combined for 18 points in 10 games against a prime Gordie Howe and the Wings.
This pair is for the late @Canadiens1958.
Balderis brings the flash, ala Yvan Cournoyer but as Sturm points out in bio he was quite unselfish and stylistically, similar to Lafleur. He'll be able to probe and free wheel a bit with the elite cycling of Olmsted-Beliveau and was very apt at using linemates on rushes in a more North American style than other Euro's of the time. Elite wheels. You don't want to be flat footed when the puck is on the stick of Balderis.
Smokey Harris - Russell Bowie - Blair Russell
Bowie is the focal point of this line. He could pass for a #1 C in a 40 team draft so he's a nice luxury especially playing behind Beliveau. Please read his bio to see the incredible domination that took place in the first decade of the 1900's. He's an offensive freak and his dominance is comparable to what Gretzky did to the league in the early to mid 80's.
Bowie can be a tricky player to built around so I went ahead and reunited him with his long time, real life partner in Blair Russel. Together they scored an insane 255 (Bowie) and 113 (Russel) goals together between 1899-00 and 1909-10. Russel was one of the better defensive forwards of his era as well as being a solid complementary scorer.
On top of that they get one of the most underrated pre consolidation players in Smokey Harris. Please read my updated bio above (click name). Fantastic play maker who twice led the premium PCHA in assists and tied for first in overall scoring which no winger had ever done before him.
His extensive bio reads as a very strong 2 way player and it was discovered to have been a unanimous AS in 1916 at RW with 7 times an AS (12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21), up from the previously thought 5. The 1912 and 1921 AS nods were for reserve on 1st team (there was no 2nd team) and as the utility man in 1921. The other 5 were 1st team nods, 4 at LW and 1 at RW.
He possessed world class speed, was cited as being one of the roughest and toughest players in the west, especially the first half of his career that saw some bigger PIM totals. He's a man that fought and beat Bobby Rowe, laid out Goldie Prodgers multiple times and clashed with Eddie Gerard more than once, among others.
Along with his world class speed, he was cited at 22 as "not having an equal in back checking" and then again at the very end of his career in 1924, as being said to have "few, if any peers". Too many times to count his back checking was noted and praised within this decade.
Harris can do the heavy lifting in the corners and when Russel is in deep with Bowie, can be trusted to keep Green's one forward high in mind. His presence greatly enhances an already deadly real life C-RW combo. The Pioneer Line!
Bob Gainey (A) - Doug Jarvis - Ed Westfall
This is hockey's version of the steel curtain. Watching other teams get built in the early rounds it became apparent that I'd be looking at a lot of top end wing talent in the division as well as depth and wanted to counter that with a line that can log heavy ES minutes and shadow anyone. Like my top 2 lines I have another fantastic real life combo in Gainey-Jarvis who played on the same line, for years in Montreal, including over their 4 consecutive title wins from 76-79.
Gainey is widely considered to be the best defensive forward of all time. While that is debatable, he's no doubt elite. He has the ability to shut down anyone on any night. Elite checker at both ends. Great skater. Brings a ton of leadership and intangibles.
Jarvis was Gainey's real life running partner for years. Jarvis brings high end wheels, great defense at ES and is elite on the kill. He's also one of the greatest face off men in the history of the game. While he wasn't very big he was scrappy and never backed down from a match up. Also was an iron man holding the longest streak of consecutive games player in NHL history.
Westfall, like Gainey is considered to be one of the greatest defensive forwards ever. Elite skating, elite checking in both directions, and probably the best best PK winger of all time. He had success shutting down Bobby Hull in the playoffs in real life and Hull just happens to be in Pittsburgh's division. Extremely well respected leader with tons of intangibles. He played D for good while so he brings versatility.
This line would be an elite checking unit in a much smaller draft. They will give Pete Green an instant match up against any offensive player or line.
Chris Kunitz - Jason Arnott - Cully Wilson
This line is going to make life absolutely miserable for anyone they come in contact with. There's more than enough offense between the 3 to contribute as depth scorers. They were all responsible defensively. But like the opening sentence stated, this line is going to hammer folks.
Kunitz was a 4 time Cup winner and high end fore checker for years in NHL. High tempo guy who scored 20+ goals 7 times but was actually a slightly better play maker overall. Always a responsible and sometimes above average defensive player at least in Pittsburgh. Strong 4th line even strength offense. Incredible adjusted +/- all time, he had amazing possession metrics. Scored some huge goals in the playoffs and seemed to generally be around the big moments.
Arnott is a guy who really had 2 portions of his career. Edmonton, where he showed up with a bang and then faded, didn't find his way until he got to better structure in NJ and had guidance from folks like Scott Stevens and Pittsburgh's assistant coach Larry Robinson. Like Kunitz, he provides some really nice depth scoring on the even strength scale. Skated very well for his size. He and Beliveau provide huge bodies at the C position to contrast with the smaller, scrappy Bowie/Jarvis and his size and physicality will give Jarvis a breather from some of the bigger more physical C's out there.
Cully Wilson was a bad dude who could actually play very well. High end skater. Was an all star in 2 separate leagues. Solid scorer and passer. But he was most known for being an absolute wrecking ball, check everything in sight guy, who crossed the line a few times over the course of his career. He instigated a lot of stuff and took an absolute pounding, especially as a smaller player. But he was fearless and played a long time in a very rough era. He'd check or fight anyone. Big game player as well (see bio).
All in all, this is a line that I think can not only pitch in with quality depth scoring but will hammer opponents senseless and not be taken advantage of in either direction.
Spare:
Harry "Rat" Westwick - F
Started his career out at G, switched to F and played mostly rover for the legendary Ottawa Silver Seven that won the Cup 4 straight years and saw him get inducted into the HOF after his death in 1962.
Between 1895 and 1909 he scored 92 goals in 91 top level games. He was a league AS in 1905 and 1906. Played very much like Cully Wilson, although Westwick wasn't quite as violent and was a bit more of a jack of all trades type player.
More than once he outscored more prominent players like Alf Smith, Bruce Stuart and Blair Russel but he was most known for being an absolute lightning rod around the rink. Good checker, defender and general pest. Also noted to be a fantastic athlete and extremely well conditioned.
Nicknamed "Rat". Seems appropriate for hockey. He'll be Pittsburgh's universal F spare.
Defensemen:
Duncan Keith - Art Coulter (A)
How many defensemen have multiple Norris trophies, multiple Cups, and a Conn Smythe to their name? Orr, Lidstrom, Robinson and Duncan Keith.
Keith is a gamer. Can play in all situations. Log heavy, heavy minutes. He's a high end skater. Effortless in that manner. Really strong vision and passing. Plays a bigger game than his size and is gritty as hell. For my money his 2015 Cup run was the most impressive performance by a defensemen since Leetch in 94.
Consider, since TOI was tracked in 1998-99 no defensemen has averaged more even strength time on ice in the postseason than Keith. He has averaged 22:34 in ESTOI over 126 career playoff games. The next closest is Alex Pietrangelo at 21:59 per game. Drew Doughty is 20:58 in 84. Chara 20:17 in 182. Pronger is only at 19:44 over 154 games.
Keith (28:11) bests Nick Lidstrom (28:07) in total TOI. Doughty (27:51). Chara (26:04).
I think he's a solid #1 here and should have been drafted above several defenders taken before him.
As HT echoed after I made the Coulter pick, I think he's a tremendous fit for Keith. Coulter had some ability to move the puck as it was more customary in his day, but overall his strength was being a stout defender in his own end and possessing the ability to play a very heavy game.
Willing fighter if need be and extremely respected teammate. He was captain in NY from 1937-1942 and went to the finals in 37 and won the Cup in 1940. Also won a Cup earlier in his career with Chicago.
Was a 4 time postseason AS and a Hart finalist in 34-35. I certainly see Coulter as an above average #2 here.
This is a duo that can transition the puck on either side of the pairing but primarily will be Keith's responsibility as his skating and passing/vision are top notch. Both are respected players, proven big game players, especially Keith. Will not get intimidated physically (not many people screwed with Coulter) and don't look for either to crack in big moments given their experiences.
Left-Right handed combo.
Hamby Shore - Fred Lake
Please see extensive bio for information on both players (click on either name). Very detailed analysis of their impact playing for Pete Green.
The biggest plus here is that Shore and Lake were real life partners AND Pete Green's dominant pairing over most of his first tenure in Ottawa. It's instant chemistry and a pairing Green should trust completely given the obvious connection and successes.
Shore was an elite skater. Numerous reports stated he was as fast as Cyclone Taylor and even bested him head to head. He was cited as having a strong offensive game, great stickhandler and passer. He did more rushing than Lake. But again, was mostly cited as being strong defensively.
Lake was a strong defensive player. He actually played on the wing for years before settling in with Shore in Ottawa. Was a 2 time AS in the IHL at W so he's another player who brings versatility. While not quite as fast as Shore, Lake's speed was also routinely noted as being well above average for the time period. . He played a very hard game.
They were just a really strong real life pairing that ran the blue line of a dynasty for Pittsburgh's head coach Pete Green. Percy Lesueur, who played behind Harvey Pulford and Cyclone Taylor in years prior said that Shore-Lake was the best defensive combination he's ever played with. They gave Newsy Lalonde fits and bested Cyclone Taylor. Not walk in the park names.
Given the extra AS nod I found on Hamby Shore, as well as the sterling game reports and peer testimonies after his death, I'm comfortable calling Shore a passable #3 here.
I think Lake is more of a #5 overall because his overall reputation as less than Shore, but given the real life chemistry between the 2 and the fact they are playing for their real life coach, I'm comfortable calling this an average 2nd pairing overall.
Another left-right handed combo.
Eduard Ivanov - Dan Girardi
Girardi is someone I really like as a super depth player. Was highly respected as a player. Elite shot blocker. Since they started recorded shot blocks in 2005 Girarid is #2 all time behind only Brent Seabrook who has 44 more.....but in 144 more games.
Also had more than 2000 hits. More importantly than that he's one of the best PK'ers among blueliners in the cap era so he provides a high end skill as a bottom pairing guy. His teams killed penalties 16% above the league averages and he was always the top guy on those units.
Played multiple seasons as a top pairing, big minute dman. Peaked w/ a 6th place Norris finish. Like others who are placed on 4th lines and 3rd pairings, Girardi brings a valuable skill set in his ability to kill penalties and seems to be a great stay at home partner for the more rambunctious partner, Ivanov.
I think Ivanov is a really nice bottom pairing guy here. He peaked as an AS defensemen in the mid 60's when Soviet Hockey was really taking off.
Very highly thought of offensive dman with a big shot, but also noted as being fearless and brave defensively, blocking shots which wasn't done much at the time and being a more modern defensemen (2 way player) than either of Ragulin or Kuzkin, as told by legendary Soviety Dman Nikolai Sologubov.
Very strong skater, noted being as powerful as a locomotive. He could take a stupid penalty now and then but overall was a high energy guy that gave everything for the team.
I think Ivanov is a very strong #5.
Spare:
Brooks Orpik
Orpik is another stay at home player who will see action on the away ice as the 7th Dman. Played in over 150 playoff games so experience is through the roof. Won a pair of SC's, was a high end PK'er, especially the back half of his career. Big hitter who will absolutely keep opposing F's heads on swivels. Very little transition ability with the puck but place him out there with an Ivanov or Shore for a few shifts and he's nicely situated to play the role he did in real life.
Goalies:
Georges Vezina
Vezina is the best pre consolidation goalie ever. Almost all contemporary sources both during and after cement this. Consider from 1910 until his retirement in 1925, he never missed a game. Never came off the ice. Including playoff games that's 367 straight.
Won 2 titles in 5 finals appearances. In the earlier Montreal years he played behind some weaker defenses and helped carry the Habs to more prominence.
Over his career, his consolidated goals against finishes are, 1st(1911), 1st(1912), 1st(1914), 1st(1924), 1st(1925), 2nd(1918), 3rd(1916), 3rd(1917), 3rd(1922), 3rd(1923).
Jack Adams spoke very highly of Vezina as he played against him. He was noted to study opposing forwards and players to try and get their tendencies down. Earned the nickname, Chicoutimi Cucumber' for being incredibly poised and collected in net in crucial games. He was a pioneer in stick handling with the puck as a G. He had lightning quick reflexes and was an undeniable superstar player in his day.
Pretty comfortably my #10 goalie of all time.
Corey Crawford
Special Teams:
PP 1:
Bowie - RHS (trigger/half wall into slot) Beliveau - LHS (net front) - Olmstead - LHS (cornerman/facilitator)
Ivanov - RHS (trigger) - Shore- LHS (QB)
PP 2:
Wilson - RHS (half wall) - Harris - LHS (net front/slot) - Balderis - LHS (float)
Arnott - RHS (trigger) - Keith - LHS (QB)
PK 1:
Jarvis - Westfall
Lake - Coulter
PK 2:
Gainey - Russell
*Keith/Orpik - Girardi
*When playing with 7 Dmen on away ice Orpik will take Keith's spot on the 2nd unit. This frees up Keith to play even more time @ ES which I want out of my #1.
Line Combinations Home/Away:
STANDARD LINE UP @ HOME:
Olmstead - Beliveau - Balderis
Harris - Bowie - Russell
Gainey - Jarvis - Westfall
Kunitz - Arnott - Wilson
Keith - Coulter
Shore - Lake
Ivanov - Girardi
BALANCED LINE UP @ HOME
Olmstead - Beliveau - Westfall
Gainey - Bowie - Russell
Harris - Jarvis - Balderis
Kunitz - Arnott - Wilson
Keith - Coulter
Shore - Lake
Ivanov - Girardi
*Really like this fit as a change of pace given it spreads the offensive talent around the top 9 more than consolidating it on the scoring lines. Green can role this out to keep teams off balance. Balderis can carry a line offensively here while Jarvis can play a Larionov role between 2 wingers who are much more offensively gifted than the Gainey/Westfall. Beliveau and Bowie have elite checkers who can do heavy lifting in the corners and defensive zone while retaining the ability to get the puck to the C.
PROTECTING LEAD @ HOME:
Olmstead - Beliveau - Balderis
Kunitz - Bowie - Wilson
Gainey - Jarvis - Westfall
Harris - Arnott - Russell
Keith - Coulter
Shore - Lake
Ivanov - Girardi
*Lines 3 and 4 will see increased action, with neutral ice clogged up. Force teams to dump and then use the speed and transition ability of our top 4 D to recover puck and move in counter direction.
WHEN TRAILING @ HOME:
Olmstead - Beliveau - Balderis
Harris - Bowie - Wilson
Kunitz - Arnott - Westfall
Gainey - Jarvis - Russell
Keith - Coulter
Shore - Lake
Ivanov - Girardi
*Not a big change from standard lineup. Just inserting a bit more offense into top 9 with Kunitz and Wilson and rolling 3 lines late if trailing.
STANDARD LINE UP @ AWAY : (11 F - 7 D)
Olmsted - Beliveau - Balderis
Harris* - Bowie - Russell*
Gainey* - Jarvis - Westfall*
Arnott - Wilson
Keith - Coulter
Shore - Lake
Ivanov - Girardi
Oprik (PK specialist)
* Will all take extra shifts to cover 4LW vacancy.
This lineup is to maximize Keith's ES time. He's already in the upper echelons of Dmen in terms of logging minutes but having Orpik means Keith only sees time on the 2nd PP unit.
The rest of the lineup can be juggled as outlined above w/ the home variations.
