Atd#8-ML 1st Round: #3 McGill Redmen vs. #6 Nelson Leafs

[VanIslander]

Sir Montagu Allan Division Playoffs


McGill Redmen

coach: Viktor Tikhonov
assistant coach: Ron Wilson
captain: Doug Young
alternates: Kelly Kisio, Red Sullivan
team MVP: Dubbie Bowie

Ven Alexandrov - Dubbie Bowie - Blair Russel
Steve Payne - Billy Reay - Real Cloutier
Johnny Wilson - Kelly Kisio (A) - Paul MacLean
Reggie Fleming - Red Sullivan (A) - Yevgeny Babich
Andrei Khomutov

Moose Goheen - Doug Young (C)
Vasili Pervukhin - Zinetula Bilyaletdinov
Brendan Witt - Fredrik Olausson
Alex Smith

Nikolai Khabibulin
Don Beaupre



vs.



Nelson Leafs

coach: Darryl Sutter
assistant coach: Brent Sutter
captain: Paul Shmyr
alternates: Dave Maloney, Brenden Morrow
team MVP: Harry Mummery

Anton Stastny - Cliff Ronning - Bill Flett
Brenden Morrow (A) - Dave Gagner - Ulf Dahlen
Mark Osborne - Rick Meagher - Stu Barnes
Eric Vail - Aaron Broten - Tommy Smith
Joey Kocur

Harry Mummery - John Van Boxmeer
Paul Shmyr (C) - Rick Ley
Dave Maloney (A) - Bob Turner
Doug Lidster

John Hutton
Jose Theodore​

Click to read more...

 

[VanIslander]

McGill Redmen

PP1: Cloutier - Bowie - Russel - Goheen - Olausson
PP2: Alexandrov - Kisio - MacLean - Pervukhin - Bilyaletdinov

PK1: Wilson - Kisio - Witt - Young
PK2: Fleming - Russel - Pervukhin - Bilyaletdinov

vs.

Nelson Leafs

PP1: A. Stastny - Gagner - Dahlen - Maloney - Van Boxmeer
PP2: Morrow - Ronning - T. Smith - Mummery - Ley

PK1: Osborne - Meagher - Mummery - Turner
PK2: Morrow - Barnes - Maloney - Shmyr

 

[Diving Pokecheck*]

This, I think, will be fairly even.
I will do a more in-depth analysis later, but one concern is this: How will an early 1900's Canadian player deal with being coached by the U.S.S.R. national coach?

 

[VanIslander]

one concern is this: How will an early 1900's Canadian player deal with being coached by the U.S.S.R. national coach?

That's what a long regular season is for. The oldest era star of the team, and team MVP, Dubbie Bowie, is renowned for his relentless effort, which isn't surprising given the gaudy numbers he put up. And his winger Blair Russel was a two-way talent, and anyone committed to backchecking doesn't have discipline concerns.

Moreover, after six months of play, a Tikhonov/Wilson coached team will be ready for the playoffs. Bet on that.

The only coaching concern: The team wants to ice a 19-year-old, 60-goal scoring version of Cloutier, but if his later-career drinking and attendance at team meeting problems surface at all then he will be benched in a heartbeat in favour of star extra forward Khomutov. The Redmen right wing core is the class of the league in terms of depth of talent, any of them could be called up to the top league.

 

[Elvis P]

I voted for Johnny Wilson for MVP.

 

[VanIslander]

The first thing that strikes me about this series is the differences in WINNING CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE.

The Redmen have nine (9) Stanley Cup champions and four starting Soviet international perennial champions for a grand total of 13 players who were winners and knew how to win when it mattered most. In a close series, those who have won before know what it takes and that winning experience is a factor.

The Leafs have four (4) Stanley Cup champions (none of their captains), five if you include extra forward Kocur. They also have Minto Cup champion Hutton. What Nelson has however, to make up the difference, is several cup finalists on underdog teams, guys who have demonstrated in the playoffs they can perform against higher seeded teams and prevail, notably several North Stars vets.

So, I don't think the championship-winning disparity is a factor in this series unless it goes to OT of game 7. Even then, the Leafs have several guys who know how to upset. Experience is a wash.

 

[God Bless Canada]

The common threads with VanI's teams is always a strong work ethic, toughness and team play. When he wins, he usually has the edge over his opponents in those areas. His teams run into trouble when they face teams that match his team in those critical elements.

Nelson is as tough of a team to play against in the draft. They have the one scoring line, the Gagner Grit Line, and then a couple more defensive lines.

Will Nelson try to sick the physical Gagner line against Bowie? Or will they go with Meagher? And who will McGill employ against the Ronning line?

It'll likely be a tough, low-scoring series. A lot of 2-1, 3-1 type games. If you think the Ronning line can get loose and score, pick Nelson, because their bottom three lines are tough to play against. If you don't think they'll score, pick McGill, because there isn't enough offence from the bottom three lines.

Bowie's going to be in tough, not just against the bottom three lines, but he's going to see an awful lot of Harry Mummery - maybe the best defensive defenceman in the draft.

 

[papershoes]

The first thing that strikes me about this series is the differences in WINNING CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE.

The Redmen have nine (9) Stanley Cup champions and four starting Soviet international perennial champions for a grand total of 13 players who were winners and knew how to win when it mattered most. In a close series, those who have won before know what it takes and that winning experience is a factor.

The Leafs have four (4) Stanley Cup champions (none of their captains), five if you include extra forward Kocur. They also have Minto Cup champion Hutton. What Nelson has however, to make up the difference, is several cup finalists on underdog teams, guys who have demonstrated in the playoffs they can perform against higher seeded teams and prevail, notably several North Stars vets.

So, I don't think the championship-winning disparity is a factor in this series unless it goes to OT of game 7. Even then, the Leafs have several guys who know how to upset. Experience is a wash.

I'm really looking forward to this series. VanIslander built a fantastic team but, the Leafs are looking forward to this challenge.

Though the Leafs only have 4 Cup winners, three of those winners reside on either the blueline or, between the pipes. Hutton (G) and Turner (D) were both crucial to the defensive success of their teams, and, as a result, sipped champagne from the Cup five times each. Mummery adds two additional Cup championships to a very strong defensive squad.

This strength on defense will be crucial, as the Leafs look to keep the games very close (we will by no means blow any team off the scoresheet).

Furthermore, I think the Leafs will thrive on the underdog role. As VanIslander mentioned, several players have prevailed over higher-seeded teams. I feel as though the Leafs will once again be hungry and determined to prove themselves. As a coach, Sutter also thrives in the underdog role, having taken the 6th seeded Flames to the Cup Finals in 2004.

I'll post more soon...

 

[Transplanted Caper]

It'll likely be a tough, low-scoring series. A lot of 2-1, 3-1 type games. If you think the Ronning line can get loose and score, pick Nelson,

I'm not convinced he can, and that's one reason I'm leaning towards McGill in this series. I think the Redmen are able to wear down that line in a playoff series and have just enough offense and the goaltending on their end to win this series.

 

[papershoes]

Bowie's going to be in tough, not just against the bottom three lines, but he's going to see an awful lot of Harry Mummery - maybe the best defensive defenceman in the draft.

The Leafs are hoping that Mummery is going to be a beast in this series. We will make every attempt to get Mummery on the ice whenever Bowie and Russel are used. His size and toughness will certainly help to neutralize the Bowie scoring threat.

Beyond Mummery, both Turner (a rock-solid stay-at-home defenceman for five Habs Cups) and Shmyr will also help to neutralize the McGill offensive attack. As well, Ley may spell Lidster (who, despite a 6'1'' frame is not very physical) to provide another rugged, tough two-way defenceman.

 

[papershoes]

I'm not convinced he can, and that's one reason I'm leaning towards McGill in this series. I think the Redmen are able to wear down that line in a playoff series and have just enough offense and the goaltending on their end to win this series.

I think Ronning's proven that he can be a presence in the playoffs.
He led the 'nucks in playoff scoring in both 90-91 and 91-92 and, was a significant factor in the 'nucks Cup run in '94 (15 points in 24 games).

From "Legends of Hockey Network"

Ronning's 5 goals and 15 assists during that post season may be overshadowed by the likes of Bure, Trevor Linden, and Geoff Courtnall, but Ronning was a significant contributor to that magical post season run. The hometown hero added boyhood spunk to his already established reputation as a playoff warrior. John Davidson, colour man on the MSG/ESPN television broadcasts, was so impressed that he called Ronning "one of the top three forwards in the finals, perhaps Vancouver's best." In a match up that featured the likes of Bure, Linden, Mark Messier, Adam Graves and Alexei Kovalev, that is an impressive compliment.

From "Legends of Hockey Network"

The man everyone said was too small to play in the NHL is better remembered as the shifty, creative, and dauntless warrior who always brought everything he could, particularly in the playoffs when he raised his game to another level.

 

[VanIslander]

This strength on defense will be crucial, as the Leafs look to keep the games very close (we will by no means blow any team off the scoresheet).

The thing is: the Redmen are a high-octane offensive club, with passing and speed, a great transition game with Goheen, Olausson and the elite-level Soviet duo moving the puck up ice.

Let's imagine that Mummery & co does shut down the Bowie line, hard as it is to imagine with the chemistry of Bowie-Russel and the multi-talented 'Bobrov2'. Even then, the second line has phenomenal wingers in playoff clutch scoring Payne (70 playoff points in 71 NHL postseason games) and Lafleur-lookalike Cloutier. And the third line right winger MacLean (324 NHL goals in a mere 719 NHL games is a league highest NHL goal scoring percentage). And all four Redmen centres are known for their passing, three of them were good checkers as well.

If Nelson is going to win this series, are they going to be able to stop Redmen scoring? Containing McGill's top line to a goal a game perhaps, but what about the Redmen's second and third line? Both are more prolific in scoring that the Leafs. And the fourth line of Redmen has a tough penalty killing specialist who scored arguably the most important playoff goal in Blackhawks history, a pesty forechecking centre with leadership and passing ability and a two-way do-everything right wing talent, thought to be more valuable than Bobrov to a winning team. The Redmen fourth line will it itself be a handful.

 

[VanIslander]

A vulnerable aspect of the Leafs is that it relies on Ronning and Gagne for the lion's share of its offense. The third and fourth line won't be a big threat relative to the Redmen depth. So the Redmen defensive game plan only needs to be to contain the smallish two Leaf centres. The puck goes through their centre to have success or else on broken plays.

McGill, in contrast, is less centre-dependent, as its wingers (Alexandrov-Russel; Payne-Cloutier; Wilson-MacLean) are easily imagined to have passing chemistry in cases where the centres are being checked, or go in deep, or drop back to the point.

 

[papershoes]

Let's imagine that Mummery & co does shut down the Bowie line, hard as it is to imagine with the chemistry of Bowie-Russel and the multi-talented 'Bobrov2'. Even then, the second line has phenomenal wingers in playoff clutch scoring Payne (70 playoff points in 71 NHL postseason games) and Lafleur-lookalike Cloutier. And the third line right winger MacLean (324 NHL goals in a mere 719 NHL games is a league highest NHL goal scoring percentage). And all four Redmen centres are known for their passing, three of them were good checkers as well.

If Nelson is going to win this series, are they going to be able to stop Redmen scoring? Containing McGill's top line to a goal a game perhaps, but what about the Redmen's second and third line? Both are more prolific in scoring that the Leafs. And the fourth line of Redmen has a tough penalty killing specialist who scored arguably the most important playoff goal in Blackhawks history, a pesty forechecking centre with leadership and passing ability and a two-way do-everything right wing talent, thought to be more valuable than Bobrov to a winning team. The Redmen fourth line will it itself be a handful.

I believe that the Leafs can effectively slow down the McGill high-octane offence. Mummery is definitely the defensive strength of the backend however, Turner and Shmyr are both strong defenders. Add to the mix van Boxmeer and Ley who provide strong two-way flexibility.

Beyond the blueline, the forward lines 2, 3, and 4 are full of strong, gritty, two-way players (with the exception of Gagner). The line of Meagher, Osborne, and Barnes are defensively sound and could dance with any of McGill's lines.

The goal to neutralize the smaller, offensive McGill forwards, such as Bowie and Russel will be to hit them at every opportunity - hoping to wear them down. Forwards like Morrow, Vail, Flett, Osborne, Barnes, and Kocur (when he's in the line-up) will be pounding them all series.

 

[VanIslander]

...the forward lines 2, 3, and 4 are full of strong, gritty, two-way players (with the exception of Gagner)

FULL of TWO-way players?

The Leafs' third line winger Osborne's best season was 26 goals in 1982 and had only one not-bad postseason with 4 goals in 18 games. In an all-time context he is not at all two-way. He does have 1000+ PIM which helps shake things up defensively. But can't be expected to do anything offensively.

The Leafs' third line centre Meagher is entirely defensive: has only one 20 goal season and he played in the high scoring 1980's. He is a fourth line centre in an all-time context. He and Osborne on the third line can play defense but they won't put pucks in the net.

The Leafs' third line right winger I respect very much: Barnes is a two-way talent come the postseason. He has shown in several playoffs that he can score clutch goals. He is like the Redmen's third line winger Johnny Wilson: both were offensive stars in junior hockey but became defensive-first in the NHL, scoring key goals only when the team's primary scorers aren't getting it done. Joe and Johnny will make an impact in the series.

The Leafs fourth line winger Vail has limited playoff experience, 11 points in 20 games, but he at least is a 25-30 goal scorer with some two-way talent in an all-time context. Broten is a bit of a passer, not a finisher. Flett had one good scoring season and in an all-time context can chip in a goal or two. Nothing at all dominant or exceptional about the Leafs fourth line in terms of scoring. Don't count on them offensively. I think Broten-Barnes could have some real chemistry if they were playing on the same line.

 

[papershoes]

A vulnerable aspect of the Leafs is that it relies on Ronning and Gagne for the lion's share of its offense. The third and fourth line won't be a big threat relative to the Redmen depth. So the Redmen defensive game plan only needs to be to contain the smallish two Leaf centres. The puck goes through their centre to have success or else on broken plays.

Gagner and Ronning are definitely key players however, Stastny, Smith, and Morrow are no slouch at putting the puck in the net. What stands out most about the majority of forwards on the Leafs is the work-ethic, poise, and determination most player's possess. These players are willing to pay the price to score goals, whether grinding it out in the corners to retrieve a loose puck or, battling in front of the net.

I don't think the Leafs fourth line is getting the credit that it deserves. From a statistical standpoint, when compared to McGill's fourth line, I feel as though the Leafs forwards of Vail, Broten, and Flett provide a great balance of scoring, toughness, and defensive play. As such, I would consider them on an equal playing field with McGill's fourth line. Granted, this statistical comparison gets a little more difficult with Babich (I could only find 140 goals in 170 games - which is unbelievable output).

Flett – 417 points in 689 games (23 points / 52 playoff gm)
Vail – 476 points in 591 games (11 pts/ 20 playoff gm)
Broten – 515 points in 748 games (25 pts/ 34 playoff gm)

Fleming – 240 points in 749 games (9 pts/ 50 playoff gm)
Sullivan – 346 points in 557 games (3 pts/ 18 playoff gm)
Babich – 140 goals in 170 games (which is insane!)


When it comes to the third line, each team took a different focus. The Leafs line is a defence-first line with players capable of shutting down the key offensive players of the Redman. Each player can chip in on the scoresheet but, will be counted on for defence first.

McGill on the other hand has built a very strong two-way line - this line really scares me. McLean is an absolute beast (I voted him as your MVP). I had hoped to have him on the Leafs - unbelievable output from a third-line player (could easily be a first-liner on numerous teams). Kisio and Wilson are also nice compliments.

 

[papershoes]

FULL of TWO-way players?

The Leafs' third line winger Osborne's best season was 26 goals in 1982 and had only one not-bad postseason with 4 goals in 18 games. In an all-time context he is not at all two-way. He does have 1000+ PIM which helps shake things up defensively. But can't be expected to do anything offensively.

The Leafs' third line centre Meagher is entirely defensive: has only one 20 goal season and he played in the high scoring 1980's. He is a fourth line centre in an all-time context. He and Osborne on the third line can play defense but they won't put pucks in the net.

Maybe a bit of a sell on my part...still trying to figure out how stats play into an all-time context. (Edit: In looking back at my post, I'm sure I meant to write 'defensive' - why I excluded Gagner - but, when reading my description of Ley and van Boxmeer, wrote 'two-way')

You're right VanIslander - Meagher and Osborne can in no way be counted on to provide much in the way of offence.

Osborne and Meagher are definitely defence-first, and will be counted on to focus on shutting down McGill's offense. However, playing alongside Barnes, I'm hoping this line can grind out a goal here and there.

 

[VanIslander]

The Leafs line is a defence-first line with players capable of shutting down the key offensive players of the Redman. Each player can chip in on the scoresheet but, will be counted on for defence first.

Your defensive third line may see a lot of ice time, containing one of the Redmen scoring lines, taking away time from your more offensive lines.

McGill is built on the concept of three potent offense lines, with a two-way talent on each line (Russel, Reay, Kisio/Wilson) to cover for a rushing defenseman. Just like the Red Wings did in the 1990's, the Redmen of the Atd#8-ML is built on speed, skill and puck control.

The only players not renowned for their puck skills are defensive defensemen Young and Witt to stay at home (while Goheen and Olausson go up ice with the puck) and fourth line agitators Sullivan and Fleming (I call them 'The Hounds', as in "Release the hounds!" if the Leafs try to rough up the Redmen).

 

[VanIslander]

I would like to take a moment and applaud a selection on the Nelson blueline.

Rick Ley, Nelson Leafs

He was penciled in before the draft began to be the top choice for the Redmen third pairing. The WHA offensive all-star didn't put up points in his NHL years but always had a good first pass on great stickhandling. Want to see him shine? His speed and scoring on this shorthanded effort is impressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FokXEbEUko

He also was tough. He has seven 100+ PIM seasons, infamous for beating up (and injuring) Kharlamov near the end of a losing game in the 1974 Summit Series (that also is on youtube).

He brings leadership as a longtime captain of the Whalers (one of only six jerseys to be retired by that WHA/NHL franchise).

What the hell doesn't he have? He won the Memorial Cup, the WHA championship and only reason he doesn't have a Stanley Cup is geography: playing in Hartford.

Keep Ley on the bench papershoes. Keep him as your #7 extra defenseman. It only helps the Redmen to see him sitting.

 

[papershoes]

Keep Ley on the bench papershoes. Keep him as your #7 extra defenseman. It only helps the Redmen to see him sitting.

I have certainly entertained using Ley to replace Lidster, which would require bumping Maloney up to the second pairing with Shmyr.

In a series like this, where guys like McLean, Payne, Kisio, Sullivan, and Fleming will be pounding my defence, it would be nice to have a rugged player such as Ley in place of Lidster - who, despite a large frame, was not a physical player.

 

[papershoes]

One area which hasn't been touched upon extensively is coaching.

With Tikhonov and Wilson, VanIslander has a significant edge. What Tikhonov did with the Soviet and Russian National Teams is unreal. * 13 straight Soviet titles 1978-1989
* World Championship gold in 1978-1979, 1981-1983, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993.
* Olympics gold of 1984,1988,1992.
* 1979 Challenge Cup and 1981 Canada Cup. (Wikipedia)
He can be dictatorial, and demands a great deal of control over his players. It will be interesting to see how the Redmen will respond. However, there is no doubt this team will be prepared for the playoffs.

The Sutters certainly do not have accolades / awards in the same stratosphere as Tikhonov. They were chosen based upon the players on the roster. The Leafs hope that the Sutter's work-ethic, determination, and poise will ignite a spark within the Leaf locker room to play with maximal effort each and every game. Darryl coached an underdog Flames team to the Cup Finals - we hope he can do the same with the Leafs.

 

[VanIslander]

...in place of Lidster - who, despite a large frame, was not a physical player.

I know Lidster real well. He is from my hometown (Kamloops) and played on my fav team (Canucks). I think Lidster is a good defenseman because he is solid positionally and helps the transition game, making smart, safe plays. Ironically, his shining moment was overlooked by almost all media except those in my hometown: he was one of the unsung unheralded heroes of the Rangers 1994 cup win. He came into the playoffs late and scored two important goals in the finals against his old team, and prevented a Canucks goal on an excellent crease clearing effort. Three good plays in close games. His ability to step in and succeed shows he can do well in an extra d-man role.

I see Lidster=Olausson in an all-star context: a third pairing, second pp unit guy.

Ley on the third pairing with defensive defenseman Turner? That would be a good fit, similar to the Redmen Witt-Olausson in terms of puck movement but better in that the Leafs third pairing would have more toughness and leadership.

Of course, it could be seen as an escalation of force. ("Release the hounds!")

 

[papershoes]

Ley on the third pairing with defensive defenseman Turner? That would be a good fit, similar to the Redmen Witt-Olausson in terms of puck movement but better in that the Leafs third pairing would have more toughness and leadership.

Of course, it could be seen as an escalation of force. ("Release the hounds!")

Ah...a dogfight...i can already hear Kocur lacing up his skates

In terms of third-pairing defenceman, I'm not sure Ley-Turner would be that much tougher (leadership maybe). I really like the pairing of Olausson-Witt and, think they may not get as much credit as they deserve on account that they are recent players (Witt especially). Olausson can move the puck and is the perfect compliment to Witt's defensive play. Ley's rugged but, I would argue that Witt is the more physical of the two - 6'2'' 219 is a big presence on the blueline and can provide a lot of problems for some of the smaller forwards in the draft.

 

[VanIslander]

One area which hasn't been touched upon extensively is coaching.

With Tikhonov and Wilson, VanIslander has a significant edge. What Tikhonov did with the Soviet and Russian National Teams is unreal. * 13 straight Soviet titles 1978-1989
* World Championship gold in 1978-1979, 1981-1983, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993.
* Olympics gold of 1984,1988,1992.
* 1979 Challenge Cup and 1981 Canada Cup. (Wikipedia)
He can be dictatorial, and demands a great deal of control over his players. It will be interesting to see how the Redmen will respond. However, there is no doubt this team will be prepared for the playoffs.

The Sutters certainly do not have accolades / awards in the same stratosphere as Tikhonov. They were chosen based upon the players on the roster. The Leafs hope that the Sutter's work-ethic, determination, and poise will ignite a spark within the Leaf locker room to play with maximal effort each and every game. Darryl coached an underdog Flames team to the Cup Finals - we hope he can do the same with the Leafs.

Tikhonov is no more demanding than Tarasov was: both were borderline tyrannical. Tarasov had an assistant to play good cop to his bad cop. Tikhonov was more standoffish, less emotional. That's why McGill made sure to get an assistant coach who can communicate with the players directly and constantly: Ron Wilson. 500+ NHL wins, 1000+ NHL games, one of the top-10 all-time NHL coaches in those categories. Wilson coached a young Khabibulin on an expansion Mighty Ducks team into the second round of the playoffs, and it was a one-line team known to be well coached with goaltending. Wilson is a team defense guy, heavy on stats and technology, like Tikhonov, so together they should be able to coach a puck controlled, defensively-sound game plan.

The Redmen were drafted with Tikhonov in mind. Cloutier had a drinking problem later in his career and Witt lacked the footspeed the Soviet coach would want, but the two bring too much to the table to be overlooked (though Ley instead of Witt would have made coach happy Tsygankov-type toughness, with speed!).

All the rest of the Redmen roster play a Tikhonov game. Superskilled top two lines with speed and passing skill. Third and fourth line centres who can pass and check. And Soviet star players ranked among the top-50 all-time. The 1980's Soviets kicked major butt and the Redmen blueline duo was on each of those teams for an entire decade.

CHEMISTRY alongside COACHING has been a Redmen priority. Bowie-Russel thrived together. So did Pervukhin - Bilyaletdinov, under Tikhonov, (Khabibulin under Ron Wilson) so you know they'll click on the team. Reay and Johnny Wilson were big team guys, likeable and hard-working, and both Kisio and Sullivan (co-winner of first ever NYR Players' Player Award) were captains known as on-ice leaders in effort and grit.

The Redmen are built to work as a machine.

But, granted, a Sutter team will be willing to roll up their blue collar sleeves and tinker with the engine.

 

[VanIslander]

SIZE might be a factor with certain match-ups.

5'8 Cliff Ronning and 5'4 Tommy Smith on the top line, and 5'7 Dave Gagne the Leafs' other offensive centre, will be looking up (and better keep their heads up!!) as they head up ice.

Because the Redmen top pairing is big.

"Moose" Goheen has been compared to Hobey Baker, was a rushing defenseman but also physical:

throwing his 6-foot, 200-pound body at opponents in bone-crushing checks

http://www.vintageminnesotahockey.com/MooseGoheen.html

Adjust size relative to era and that makes him at least Pronger size in our era.

"Moose" will play alongside another old era player "The Gleichen Cowboy", and if you've ever been to Gleichen, Alberta you'd know they make their cowboys tough. At 5'10 and 190 lbs, the Redmen captain was well above average in size for his era, and captained the Red Wings to their first two Stanley Cups as a defensively-sound defenseman with at least three seasons of high offensive numbers.

The second pairing of Soviets were not particularly big but the Soviet defensemen were exceptionally fit. And we all know 6'2 Witt used his size and 6'1 Olausson didn't use size much, except for positioning.

And the Redmen seventh defenseman Alex "Boots" Smith was one tough lookin' multi-sport athlete and "outstanding" cup-winning defenseman:
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayerGallery.jsp?player=14349#photo