67Leafs67
Registered User
- Nov 8, 2014
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- 631
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had many great defensive cores over the years, but which was the best?
There was the 1930s gang, led by spirited King Clancy, Hap Day, and Red Horner. From the time Clancy joined the team in 1930-31, until the 1936-37 season, these three led the Leafs to 4 Stanley Cup Finals, winning only once. They were joined by Alex Levinsky most of this time, and for a while Flash Hollett. This trio was a very dangerous offensive group, pitching in 112 goals in this 7 year span. Hollett had 26 points in 48 games in his one full season with the club.
Next, the late 1940s/early 1950s dynasty. After the World War, Smythe retooled the Leafs defense, bringing in a bunch of green defenders to protect Broda. Between 1946-47 and 1950-51, the Leafs won 4 Stanley Cups. The Gold Dust Twins, Jimmy Thomson and Gus Mortson led the way as the top pairing. Bill Barilko was joined by Boesch, Juzda, and later Flaman. Lynn often played defense as a swing man of sorts. Wally Stanowski was around in the early years before being shipped off. The main trio of Thomson, Mortson, and Barilko combined for only 55 goals over 5 seasons, but were revered for their toughness and defensive ability. It is worth noting though, that among defenders in this era, Thomson was 3rd in points, Mortson was 7th, and Barilko was 14th.
The next prominent group was the 1960s boys. The solid pairing of Tim Horton and Allan Stanley led the way with Carl Brewer and Bob Baun behind them. Between 1961-62 and 1966-67 they won 4 Stanley Cups. Kent Douglas was the usual 5th defender behind these fellows, with Larry Hillman and Marcel Pronovost also having over 100 games in these 6 seasons.
How do these three groups rank? All excellent defensive cores of course, HHOF quality players everywhere...I feel like the 1940s group is often overlooked (for example the "official" Maple Leafs One Hundred had Mortson and Thomson ranked very low)....is that at all justified?
There was the 1930s gang, led by spirited King Clancy, Hap Day, and Red Horner. From the time Clancy joined the team in 1930-31, until the 1936-37 season, these three led the Leafs to 4 Stanley Cup Finals, winning only once. They were joined by Alex Levinsky most of this time, and for a while Flash Hollett. This trio was a very dangerous offensive group, pitching in 112 goals in this 7 year span. Hollett had 26 points in 48 games in his one full season with the club.
Next, the late 1940s/early 1950s dynasty. After the World War, Smythe retooled the Leafs defense, bringing in a bunch of green defenders to protect Broda. Between 1946-47 and 1950-51, the Leafs won 4 Stanley Cups. The Gold Dust Twins, Jimmy Thomson and Gus Mortson led the way as the top pairing. Bill Barilko was joined by Boesch, Juzda, and later Flaman. Lynn often played defense as a swing man of sorts. Wally Stanowski was around in the early years before being shipped off. The main trio of Thomson, Mortson, and Barilko combined for only 55 goals over 5 seasons, but were revered for their toughness and defensive ability. It is worth noting though, that among defenders in this era, Thomson was 3rd in points, Mortson was 7th, and Barilko was 14th.
The next prominent group was the 1960s boys. The solid pairing of Tim Horton and Allan Stanley led the way with Carl Brewer and Bob Baun behind them. Between 1961-62 and 1966-67 they won 4 Stanley Cups. Kent Douglas was the usual 5th defender behind these fellows, with Larry Hillman and Marcel Pronovost also having over 100 games in these 6 seasons.
How do these three groups rank? All excellent defensive cores of course, HHOF quality players everywhere...I feel like the 1940s group is often overlooked (for example the "official" Maple Leafs One Hundred had Mortson and Thomson ranked very low)....is that at all justified?
This thread seriously needs the discussion of coaching!
