I give Ottawa a large edge in defense, the actual defenses are quite equal, but every forward line Ottawa has is capable of being a checking line.
I also give a large offensive edge to St. Louis. As good as Schmidt and Neely were, honestly, they weren't even Denneny when it comes to game breaking offense, and forget comparing them to Richard. As for the second lines, Lemaire's offense may be underrated, but under no circumstances should he be the best offensive player on a line that needs to produce, on a 3rd line, yeah, but on a second line, ouch. Both Lemaire and Larmer are complimentary offensive players, and one's I'm not sure would click. Corson, what is he doing there? 4th line talent with MLD attitude. As for St. Louis' second line, it's just average. Nilsson and Gilbert can get the job done and Sutter is filling the same role as Corson, just better in every single way.
I like the talent on St. Louis' defense more, but I like the build of Ottawa's defense more.
Cheevers is a better big game goalie than Thompson, but, Thompson is a better goalie than Cheevers.
Some brutal match-ups in this ATD...
Cy Denneny a better game-breaker than Milt Schmidt? You're basing that on? Denneny's performance when the NHL was not even the best league? Schmidt shreds those early NHA/NHL leagues. I think top 10 finishes in scoring in the NHL's early days are nice, but they're a lot more credible after 1926, when the last western league closed shop and their best players went to the NHL.
Schmidt had two point-per-game seasons, and two other near point-per-game seasons, at a time when it was incredibly difficult. A point-per-game season in the late 30s, early 40s, late 40s and most of the 1950s was like a 120-150 point season in the 70s, the 80s and most of the 90s.
Neely probably wasn't as good of a point producer as Denneny, but he was a better goal scorer. Perhaps you need to reacquaint yourself with Cam Neely. Go watch the 1988 Adams Final when Neely was dominant, and the Bruins beat the Habs (who were the heavy favourites) for the first time in 40 years. Or watch the 1990 and 1991 playoffs.
You also left John Bucyk out of the discussion. Top 10 in goals and assists five times each. A point-per-game player in the playoffs post-expansion. Big part of the Bruins two Cup wins. Put up some very good numbers for the O6 era, and on some very pedestrian Bruin teams, too, and then showed what he could do once the Bruins surrounded him with capable talent.
Why is Shayne Corson on our second line? Same reason that Adam Graves is on your second line. People underrate Corson's playoff performances. His career playoff PPG is .02 below Brian Sutter's. And Corson played a lot more games. If you look at the age 20-32 playoff totals for both Corson and Sutter (the age range for Sutter's post-season career), Corson's pace is better. I really like Brian Sutter, I think he's a great second line winger for this, but his playoff performances weren't as good as you might think.
You definitely underestimate Lemaire. Top 10 in scoring three times. Led the playoffs in goals and points in his last year in the league. He's not just a "complimentary player." He's a great skater, a very hard shooter, and a very, very smart playmaker. He came darn close to 100 points a couple times. (Not as many 100 point guys in the 70s as you might think. Attainable, but a very respected achievement. In those years, you had a few years with several guys around 120 points, and then guys at 90 points). He can be a difference maker offensively. He is an ideal second line centre.
Larmer's best year was the year after Denis Savard was traded. And he was over a point-per-game in the playoffs until his last two years, when his body was starting to break down (he played with a very bad back at the end, and even though he was still good enough to be a fourth line role guy, he didn't want that. So he packed it in).
In the regular season, a Sutter-Nilson-Gilbert would be the better line. This is the playoffs. Would Ulf Nilson be good enough to lead the playoffs in goals and points? Did he have that big-game mentality? He did his damage in the WHA. Playing on a line with one of the best players ever, and in a league that was tailor-made for his game. Gilbert? For a guy that good in the regular season, his playoff record is underwhelming. 67 points in 79 games. Played only nine playoff games in the O6 era. The vast majority of his post-season play came post-expansion. For an offensive player, I'd expect more in terms of playoff performance.
I think you also underrate our talent on the blue-line. Robinson? We know what he can do. (Although you have this hang-up on what he did post-30. Never see it as an argument for anyone else who played on the Habs, Islanders or Oilers dynasty). Day? Very underrated defenceman. If you don't believe me, go talk to resident blue-line expert Evil Speaker. He's a big Day fan. Day's numbers are very good for a defenceman in the late 20s and 30s. Mohns? How many defencemen scored 20 goals from the end of the war, to the arrival of Bobby Orr? One. Doug Mohns. Excellent offensive talent who was really good defensively, and tough as nails. Formed a great tandem with Fern Flaman. Think Gary Suter. But a better skater, and no hits from behind. Brad Maxwell, when he was healthy, was very productive. In the playoffs, he was healthy. The result? An impressive 61 points in 79 games.
You want speed? Our defence has speed. You want toughness? Lots of toughness. Defensive ability? It's all there. Skill? Four of our defencemen were excellent at moving the puck, and Barilko's offensive game was just coming into its own. And they're complimented by terrific team defence.
