It's quite hard to argue with any of what you've said
Center big advantage for the Maroons
Defence big advantage for the Rockets
Wings almost a tossup Maltsev and Malone on the 3rd line is pretty hard to argue against, though that line does rely on Kennedy to everything that isn't score or pass. A noted slow skater must backcheck and be the physical presence....
Goaltending I'd agree is a slight advantage but Tretiak is also a fantastic guy when the game is on the line.
Thanks RB.
I'm not sure Kennedy was slow, just noted as not being the fastest guy. Was said to be quick with good agility. I will dive into my newspapers.com subscription tonight to see if I can find anything detailing this portion of his game.
The things the 3rd line relies on as it pertains to Kennedy are the things he was most noted for. Once I saw Maltsev had been the RW for Kennedy in multiple past ATD's it solidified the pick for me. That and the value was just too good IMO. Kennedy really fills the boxes that Malone/Maltsev were not known for. His presence allows the wingers flanking him to take the lead offensively, which makes sense given the acumen there for Malone/Maltsev.
I also think it's important to note that Clarke should give Espo a ton of problems head to head. That's just based on his defensive game as well as real life encounters. Ramsay and Denneny is a strong 1-2 punch against Bill Cook as far as defensive/physical presence go. Kennedy should also give Malkin or Lindros fits, though I'd wager more so Malkin as he's always had a volatile temper and is prone to taking many stupid penalties.
Also ripped some of the most pertinent points about Kennedy from the 3 bio's if anyone wants a quick refreshers:
HHOF said:
Ted "Teeder" Kennedy became a remarkable leader with an infectious combination of determination and confidence. Known as one of the game's great faceoff men and an antagonistic forechecker, Kennedy had the ability to score the important goal, to make the right check at the right time - to do all the little things that win big games and championships, which his Toronto Maple Leafs did on a regular basis.
Kennedy would win five Cups as a Maple Leaf, but individual honours for the Leafs' captain were few and far between. Three times he was selected to the NHL's Second All-Star Team, but Toronto fans and management believed he deserved more recognition in the year-end major awards.
In close games or behind a goal or two, Toronto fans knew their team had a chance if Kennedy could engineer a comeback with a timely goal or faceoff win.
Joe Pelletier said:
He made up for it with his competitive zeal that would make him arguably the greatest leader in franchise history, and maybe in hockey history. He led by example, fearlessly battling some of hockey's all time greats. He could shoot and pass and stickhandle with the best of them, yet was a proud defensive player and a superior faceoff specialist.
But come game time he was totally focused, and always played every game at the highest level. For Kennedy every game was played with a level of desperation as if it were game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Very few players in league history can have that said about them.
Yet it wasn't his offense but his hustle that earned him the most admiration. There was no doubt this man would one day be captain of the Blue and White.
Kennedy led the Leafs to an upset victory against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1945 Stanley Cup finals. The Canadiens were a powerhouse led by the unthinkable exploits of Rocket Richard. The Habs top line of XXXXX XXXX, XXX XXXXX and Richard - who scored 50 goals in 50 games that season - finished 1-2-3 in scoring during the year and were supposed to tear Toronto apart. But a wondrous defensive effort by a line centered by Kennedy (flanked by XXX XXXXXXXX and "Sudden Death" Mel Hill) kept the feared Punch Line at bay for much of the series. In the mean time Kennedy contributed a playoff leading 7 goals to capture the silver chalice.
It was in the playoffs that Kennedy was at his best. Although he put up impressive scoring totals throughout his career, he was hockey's version of Mr. October. In 1947 the Leafs captured another Stanley Cup, thanks Kennedy's cup winning goal against Montreal. The Leafs would repeat as champions in 1948, as Kennedy scored a playoff high 8 goals and 14 points. The following season Syl Apps - to that point probably the most revered Leaf in team history - retired and Kennedy, just 22, became the youngest captain in club history. Even without Apps, Kennedy would lead the Leafs to the first ever Stanley Cup "three-peat".
Wikipedia said:
He was known for his leadership, work ethic, competitiveness, playmaking, forechecking, faceoff skills and for scoring important goals. He was an exceptional playoff performer and was the first player in NHL history to win five Stanley Cups. He is the last Maple Leaf to win the Hart Trophy for most valuable player.
he compensated with determination and tireless hard work. Among modern era players his style of play has been compared to Bobby Clarke. He brought to the Leafs a classy, humble leadership and the knack for scoring goals when they were most needed. He would fight for every inch of ice and was difficult to separate from the puck. He was also known for his agility, stick-handling, playmaking, passing skills and physical toughness.
Kennedy was also widely believed to be the best faceoff man in hockey and would seldom lose an important faceoff. Kennedy would prove a perfect fit into coach Hap Day's coaching style of emphasizing defense, positional hockey and physical play.
Ultimate Hockey said:
Theodore Kennedy was an exceptional play-maker, and always seemed to know where and when to set up his man. As well as being an excellent defensive center, he was thought by many sportwriters of the day to have been the best face-off man in the NHL.
Although Kennedy was not the most dominant ''skills'' player in the league, he consistently ranked near the top of the scoring race.
-''He went from A to B just as fast I could because he went through people.'' -
Howie Meeker on Ted Kennedy
-''Seldom lost an important face-off and was never beaten.'' -
XXXX XXXXX
-''Apps used to hit the defence at top speed and XXXXXX XXXXXXX would come along and pick up the garbage. Kennedy would go into the corners and get the puck out to their wings.'' -
XXXX XXXXX
-"'Ted Kennedy was not a superbly gifted athlete the way some players were, but he accomplished more than most of them by never playing a shift where he did not give everything he had." -
Conn Smythe
-''Teeder Kennedy was tough, every game I played against him he gave 125%. He was tough as a center. He could make plays, never stop working, work like a horse.'' -
Bernard Geoffrion
-''He was a complete centreman, a good playmaker, a good passer, good on faceoffs.'' -
Jean Beliveau
-''Kennedy is the greatest competitor in hockey.'' -
Conn Smythe
Frank Orr said:
Late in a game toward the end of the season, from sheer effort, Teeder's face would look like skin stretched over walnuts, says Goldham, who suited up as both a teammate and opponent of Kennedy. He often looked like hockey was a sort of torture forced on him. But he was so effective everywhere on the ice, both as a player himself and as the leader of the team. How could his teammates watch him and not give all they had to the cause?
...
Elmer Lach was a tough, skilled veteran who tried to physically intimidate most opposition centres, Davidson recalled. When they lined up for the opening faceoff in the first game, Lach leaned close to the kid and said, stay away from me or I'll cut your head off with my stick. Teeder leaned right back even closer to Lach and said, If you try that, I'll put you in the hospital. We knew then we had a young guy who wouldn't be frightened by anyone."
Kennedy battled Lach for every inch of ice and scored three goals as the Leafs won the series in six games, then beat the Red Wings in a seven-game Final.
