ATD 2024 Draft Thread

[VanIslander]

ATD 2024: The 20th Anniversary Edition

The all-time draft is a what-if scenario, the counterfactual reasoning tool of the academic discipline of History. The greatest players of all time, from the amateur era to the NHL to the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, WHA, etc are drafted BASED on their whole career. No peak vs. career; instead, peak and career, all considerations. A player who was injury prone will be no less so in an all-time competition.

GMs are encouraged to provide bio info like stats, quotes and/or comments when at the podium to announce their picks.

(NO MENTIONING UNDRAFTED PLAYERS! Except Wade Belak. )

Note for new GMs:
Active players today in the 2023-2024 season are judged BASED on their career to date, meaning no projections of what he will do in the future, but instead: Imagine they suffered a freak career-ending accident the day you draft them.

The draft clock will begin Monday, February 5th at noon Eastern. The 1st round clock will be 24 hours long, dropping to 12 hours for round 2.

2). Time Limits.

24 hrs for round 1
12 for round 2
10 for rounds 3-10
8 for 11-14
6 for 15-20
4 for rest.

There will be 24 rounds, with 18 starting skaters, 2 goalies, a coach and three others for the bench. After the draft there will be votes tallied by an ex-ATDer or mod and a regular season standings list resulting. Then playoff match-ups.

Time Deductions
Voight -2 hour

Round 1:

1. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Bobby Orr, D
2. tony d - California Golden Seals - Gordie Howe, RW
3. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Wayne Gretzky, C
4. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Mario Lemieux, C
5. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Doug Harvey, D
6. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires- Jean Beliveau, C
7. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Raymond Bourque, D
8. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Nicklas Lidstrom, D
9. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Denis Potvin, D
10. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Eddie Shore, D
11. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Sidney Crosby, C
12. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Bobby Hull, LW
13. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Maurice Richard, RW
14. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Red Kelly, D/C
15. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Howie Morenz, C
16. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Connor McDavid, C
17. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Mark Messier, C
18. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Larry Robinson, D
19. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Dominik Hasek, G
20. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Patrick Roy, G
21. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Viacheslav Fetisov, D
22. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Jaromir Jagr, RW
23. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Guy Lafleur, RW

Note: Remember to always PM or @ the next team's GM.

Round 2:
24. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Alexander Ovechkin, W
25. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Chris Chelios, D
26. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Sergei Makarov, RW
27. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Stan Mikita, C
28. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Brad Park, D
29. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Bobby Clarke, C
30. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Frank Nighbor, C
31. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Brian Leetch, D
32. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Paul Coffey, D
33. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Bryan Trottier, C
34. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Ted Lindsay, LW
35. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - King Clancy, D
36. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Jacques Plante, G
37. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Bill Cook, RW
38. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Joe Sakic, C
39. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Chris Pronger, D
40. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Phil Esposito, C
41. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Mike Bossy, RW
42. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Cyclone Taylor, C/D
43. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Al MacInnis, D
44. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Scott Stevens, D
45. tony d - California Golden Seals - Steve Yzerman, C
46. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Frank Boucher, C

Round 3:

47. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Charlie Conacher, RW
48. tony d - California Golden Seals - Sprague Cleghorn, D
49. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Zdeno Chara, D
50. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Pierre Pilote, D
51. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Martin Brodeur, G
52. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Earl Seibert, D
53. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Henri Richard, C
54. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Milt Schmidt, C
55. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Valeri Kharlamov, LW
56. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Peter Forsberg, C
57. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Tim Horton, D
58. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Glenn Hall, G
59. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Dit Clapper, D/RW
60. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Ken Dryden, G
61. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Bernie Geoffrion, RW
62. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Jari Kurri, RW
63. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Terry Sawchuk, G
64. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Newsy Lalonde, C
65. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Syl Apps, C
66. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Borje Salming, D
67. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Ted Kennedy, C
68. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Bill Gadsby, D
69. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Eddie Gerard, D/LW

Round 4:

70. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Victor Hedman, D
71. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Anatoli Firsov, LW
72. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Vladislav Tretiak, G
73. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Evgeni Malkin, C
74. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Duncan Keith, D
75. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Andy Bathgate, RW
76. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Cy Denneny, LW
77. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Drew Doughty, D
78. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Dickie Moore, LW
79. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Brett Hull, RW
80. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Serge Savard, D
81. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Elmer Lach, C
82. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Aurele Joliet, LW
83. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Sid Abel, C/LW
84. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Teemu Selanne, RW
85. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Boris Mikhalov, RW
86. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Erik Karlsson, D
87. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Mark Howe, D
88. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Nikita Kucherov, RW
89. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Jarome Iginla, RW
90. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Rob Blake, D
91. tony d - California Golden Seals - Sergei Fedorov, C
92. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Patrick Kane, RW

Round 5:

93. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Scott Niedermayer, D
94. tony d - California Golden Seals - Jack Stewart, D
95. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Pavel Bure, RW
96. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Rod Langway, D
97. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Guy Lapointe, D
98. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires- Toe Blake, LW
99. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Frank Mahovlich, LW
100. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Alex Delvecchio, LW/C
101. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Shea Weber, D
102. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Bill Quackenbush, D
103. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Marcel Pronovost, D
104. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Martin St. Louis, RW
105. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Frank Brimsek, G
106. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Georges Boucher, D
107. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Valeri Vasiliev, D
108. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Johnny Bucyk, LW
109. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Jacques Laperriere, D
110. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Georges Vezina, G
111. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Ivan Johnson, D
112. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Alexei Kasatonov, D
113. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Vladimir Krutov, LW
114. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Ebbie Goodfellow, D/C
115. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Norm Ullman, C

Round 6:

116. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Alexander Maltsev, C/RW
117. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Marcel Dionne, C
118. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Doug Bentley, LW/C
119. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Tommy Phillips, LW
120. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Brad Marchand, LW
121. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Hod Stuart, D
122. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Moose Johnson, D
123. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Bryan Hextall Sr, RW
124. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS- Joe Malone, C
125. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Brendan Shanahan, LW
126. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Harry Cameron, D
127. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Lionel Conacher, D
128. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Eric Lindros, C
129. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Charlie Gardiner, G
130. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Doug Gilmour, C
131. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - JC Tremblay, D
132. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Busher Jackson, LW
133. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Henrik Zetterberg, LW/C
134. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Sweeney Schriner, LW
135. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - John Leclair, LW
136. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Dave Keon, C
137. tony d - California Golden Seals - Syd Howe, LW/C
138. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Hooley Smith, C/RW

Round 7:

139. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Art Coulter, D
140. tony d - California Golden Seals - Turk Broda, G
141. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Patrice Bergeron, C
142. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Marian Hossa, RW
143. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Russell Bowie, C
144. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Ed Belfour, G
145. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Clint Benedict, G
146. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Bill Durnan, G
147. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Mark Recchi, RW
148. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Vladimir Martinec, RW
149. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Cam Neely, RW
150. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Bert Olmstead, LW
151. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Max Bentley, C
152. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Nathan Mackinnon, C
153. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Daniel Alfredsson, RW
154. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Emile Bouchard, D
155. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Babe Siebert, D/LW
156. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Paul Kariya, LW
157. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Pavel Datsyuk, C
158. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Rick Middleton, RW
159. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Jan Suchy, D
160. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Ron Francis, C
161. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Mike Modano, C

Round 8:

162. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Jonathan Toews, C
163. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Nels Stewart, C/LW
164. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Frantisek Pospisil, D
165. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Lanny McDonald, RW
166. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Bob Gainey, LW
167. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Sylvio Mantha, D
168. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Tom Johnson, D
169. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Patrik Elias, LW
170. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Larry Murphy, D
171. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Harry Howell, D
172. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Anze Kopitar, C
173. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Carl Brewer, D
174. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Bill White, D
175. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Baldy Northcott, LW
176. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Luc Robitaille, LW
177. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Bill Cowley, C
178. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Ken Reardon. D
179. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Frank Fredrickson, C
180. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Lester Patrick, D
181. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Michel Goulet, LW
182. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Alexander Yakushev, LW
183. tony d - California Golden Seals - Sergei Zubov, D
184. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Jamie Benn, LW

Round 9:

185. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Allan Stanley, D
186. tony d - California Golden Seals - Roy Conacher, LW
187. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Yvan Cournoyer, RW
188. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Rod Brind'amour, C/LW
189. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Paul Thompson, LW
190. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Brent Burns, D/RW
191. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Fern Flaman, D
192. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Frank Foyston, LW/C
193. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Alex Pietrangelo, D
194. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Peter Stastny, C
195. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Woody Dumart, LW
196. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Cecil Dillon, RW
197. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Frank McGee, C
198. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Scotty Bowman, coach
199. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Adam Oates, C
200. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Steven Stamkos, C/RW
201. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Bob Pulford, LW/C
202. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Reg Noble, LW/C
203. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Alf Smith, RW
204. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Cale Makar, D
205. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Al Arbour, Coach
206. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - George Armstrong, RW
207. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Jimmy Thomson, D

Round 10:

208. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Roman Josi, D
209. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Toe Blake, Coach
210. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Vladimir Petrov, C
211. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Weldy Young, D
212. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Claude Provost, RW
213. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Doug Wilson, D
214. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Didier Pitre, RW/D
215. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Bernie Parent, G
216. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Herb Gardiner, D
217. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Keith Tkachuk, LW
218. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Theoren Fleury, RW
219. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Jean Ratelle, C
220. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Babe Dye, RW
221. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Lester Patrick, Coach
222. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Vladimir Konstantinov, D
223. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Brad McCrimmon, D
224. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Rod Gilbert, RW
225. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Dany Heatley, W
226. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Harvey Pulford, D
227. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Johnny Bower, G
228. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Eric Desjardins, D
229. tony d - California Golden Seals - Steve Larmer, RW
230. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade - Joe Thornton, C

Round 11:

231. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Tommy Ivan, coach
232. tony d - California Golden Seals - Red Horner, D
233. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Bill Barber, LW
234. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Mats Sundin, C
235. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Marty Barry, C
236. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Jacques Lemaire, C
237. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Glen Sather, coach
238. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Helmuts Balderis, RW
239. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Tony Esposito, G
240. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Derian Hatcher, D
241. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Auston Matthews, C
242. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Lionel Hitchman, D
243. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - George Hay, LW
244. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Hap Day, D
245. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Hugh Lehman, G
246. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Jon Cooper, coach
247. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Punch Broadbent, RW
248. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Guy Carbonneau, C
249. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Jack Crawford, D
250. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Markus Naslund, LW
251. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Igor Larionov, C
252. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Corey Perry, RW
253. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Hap Day, Coach

Round 12:

254. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks - Andrei Vasilevskiy, G
255. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias - Jack Campbell, D
256. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles - Sergei Gonchar, D
257. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Cooney Weiland, C
258. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Mike Gartner, RW
259. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Fred Shero, coach
260. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Herbie Lewis, LW
261. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Art Ross, D
262. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Jere Lehtinen, RW/LW
263. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Rick Tocchet, RW
264. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Dave Taylor, RW
265. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Marty Pavelich, LW
266. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Pat Stapleton, D
267. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Jiri Holik, LW
268. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Ryan Getzlaf, C
269. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Anatoly Tarasov, coach
270. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Gordie Drillon, RW
271. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires - Mickey Mackay, C/RW
272. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Bernie Morris, RW/C
273. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Vladimir Lutchenko, D
274. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Billy Smith, G
275. tony d - California Golden Seals - Craig Ramsay, LW
276. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade - Gordon Roberts, RW

Round 13:

277. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas - Grant Fuhr, G
278. tony d - California Golden Seals - Tommy Gorman, coach
279. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds - Claude Giroux, C/LW
280. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs - Jack Walker, C/LW
281. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC - Tony Leswick, RW/LW
282. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires- Ryan Suter, D
283. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion - Duke Keats, C
284. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers - Johnny Gottselig, LW
285. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas - Ryan Kesler, C/RW
286. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons - Joe Simpson, D
287. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires - Dean Prentice, LW
288. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades - Vyacheslav Starshinov, C
289. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal - Alex Ragulin, D
290. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs - Darryl Sittler, C
291. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS - Pete Green, coach
292. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers - Nicklas Backstrom, C
293. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters - Don Marshall, LW/C
294. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal - Glenn Anderson, RW
295. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons - Jeremy Roenick, C
296. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals - Ace Bailey, RW
297. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
298. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
299. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks

Round 14:

300. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks
301. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
302. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
303. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals
304. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons
305. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal
306. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters
307. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers
308. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS
309. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs
310. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal
311. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades
312. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires
313. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons
314. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas
315. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers
316. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion
317. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires
318. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC
319. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs
320. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds
321. tony d - California Golden Seals
322. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade

Round 15:

323. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas -
324. tony d - California Golden Seals -
325. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds -
326. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs -
327. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC -
328. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires-
329. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion -
330. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers -
331. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas -
332. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons -
333. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires -
334. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades -
335. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal -
336. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs -
337. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS -
338. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers -
339. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters -
340. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal
341. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons
342. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals
343. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
344. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
345. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks

Round 16:

346. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks
347. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
348. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
349. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals
350. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons
351. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal
352. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters
353. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers
354. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS
355. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs
356. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal
357. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades
358. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires
359. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons
360. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas
361. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers
362. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion
363. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires
364. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC
365. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs
366. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds
367. tony d - California Golden Seals
368. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade

Round 17:

369. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade Lunas -
370. tony d - California Golden Seals -
371. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds -
372. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs -
373. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC -
374. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires-
375. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion -
376. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers -
377. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas -
378. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons -
379. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires -
380. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades -
381. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal -
382. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs -
383. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS -
384. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers -
385. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters -
386. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal
387. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons
388. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals
389. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
390. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
391. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks

Round 18:

392. Hawkey Town 18 - Chicago Shamrocks
393. ResilientBeast & rmartin65 - Montreal Victorias
394. Claude The Fraud - Cape Breton Eagles
395. jigglysquishy - Regina Capitals
396. Boreal01 - Cleveland Barons
397. tinyzombies - Vagabonds de Montréal
398. Habsfan18 & VanIslander - Broome Dusters
399. BraveCanadian - Guelph Platers
400. Hitru & Professor What - Gallifrey TARDIS
401. Leaf Lander - Toronto Maple Leafs
402. BenchBrawl - Canadiens de Montréal
403. The Macho King - Richmond Renegades
404. Transplanted Caper - Sydney Millionaires
405. nabby12 - Winnipeg Falcons
406. Voight - Lone Star Brahmas
407. Hockey Stathead - Detroit Vipers
408. Chet Donnelly - Emerald Flowsion
409. spitsfan24 - Windsor Spitfires
410. ImporterExporter & Johnny Engine - Trois Rivieres AC
411. MVP of West Hollywd - Drumheller Dinosaurs
412. GKJ - Philadelphia Firebirds
413. tony d - California Golden Seals
414. Dr John Carlson - Hogsmeade

Click to read more...

 

[BenchBrawl]

This is kind of cheating but Blake should at least had latter day Richard as a player and obviously played with him for a bit too. It's not the exact type of vibe as with a guy like Jagr, but I also think most coaches in general are smart enough to give talents like that - that don't fit into your typical mode - the rope they need to create.

That's a long way of saying I'm less worried about coaches with great talents than how the other parts of the team will fit together. Like Scotty Bowman was smart enough to let Mario be Mario even if he's probably the most anti-Scotty player I can think of.

Like you said, Richard didn't play like Jagr at all, and by that point in 1956 Maurice was 34 years old. Jean Béliveau won the Hart and the Ross. He was the big star.

Speaking of Scotty Bowman, people claim Toe Blake is more flexible but Bowman coached a lot of different teams compared to Blake. I actually think for all his reputation for hating non-defensive centers, Bowman would have been a better fit for a jagr/Dionne team. Bowman coached Mario, and he coached Lafleur. That's already more similar than whatever Blake ever did.

 

[ResilientBeast]

jagr/Dionne team

We went with coaching pedigree and general attitude toward coaching rather than Xs and Os and explicit roster construction requirements.

Again it's weird how you're so fixated on referring to us as a Marcel Dionne Team (tm)

 

[BenchBrawl]

Again you're focusing on the wrong parts for whatever reason for this Marcel Dionne Team (tm)

We are in no way trying to sell our team as the same as the 50s/60s Habs in terms of construction which is what you seem to suggest is necessary for a specific coach. Which for a non-tactic specific coach is really not necessary. There are plenty of other coaches who will be picked who are much more demanding stylistically in terms of roster construction.

It's weird how you focus on Dionne's defensive play. Based on what I've seen it's unlikely Dionne was bad defensively for his time. Does that suddenly make him average in an ATD for a scoring line center? Probably not but it's strange how you're so fixated on Dionne especially since we also have Nels Stewart.

If you actually read what I posted, it really doesn't seem like having our puck dominant wingers will be an issue just because the dynasty Habs weren't structured that way. It's not like Blake's specific style of coaching necessitated that.

We went with coaching pedigree and general attitude toward coaching rather than Xs and Os and explicit roster construction requirements.

Again it's weird how you're so fixated on referring to us as a Marcel Dionne Team (tm)

Hey fine, he's an inspirational coach, so let's completely ignore any correspondence between the teams he coached in real life and the composition of your ATD team, because his "non-tactical-ness" allows him to just float over any kind of lineup and bring excellence.

If this was a middle of the pack coach, I would tell myself "eh, gotta pick one at some point, right?". But taking Toe Blake early is akin to making a stand here. I'm not buying this stand at all. What this smells like is you wanting to pick the best coach available for value but with total disregard for what team you had on your hands.

And yes, this is a Jagr/Dionne team, and you mocking me doesn't change that fact. They are your 2 top offensive forwards.

 

[ResilientBeast]

Hey fine, he's an inspirational coach, so let's completely ignore any correspondence between the teams he coached in real life and the composition of your ATD team, because his "non-tactical-ness" allows him to just float over any kind of lineup and bring excellence.

If this was a middle of the pack coach, I would tell myself "eh, gotta pick one at some point, right?". But taking Toe Blake early is akin to making a stand here. I'm not buying this stand at all.

And yes, this is a Jagr/Dionne team, and you mocking me doesn't change that fact. They are your 2 top offensive forwards.

It's not taking a stand here, given Arbour is also off the board the coaching run is bound to start eventually, in a no trade draft with 50+ picks till our next set we'd rather not get burned and forced to pick a much worse coach who will have fit issues. So we may as well select BCA (Best Coach Available).

I look forward to you commenting on every coach selected because our teams don't look like the coaches teams in real life.

And yes, this is a Jagr/Dionne team, and you mocking me doesn't change that fact. They are your 2 top offensive forwards.

I'm mocking the idea that Dionne is a marquee forward that our team is branded by, he's a big name but again he's probably the 4th most important forward on the team.

 

[ImporterExporter]

All I'll say is that I got crucified by some, years ago in the ATD final when Wayne Gretzky (my guy) was deemed a very poor fit for the coach I drafted. I honestly think that's what cost me a title and thought it was over the top given no coach is going to pass up the chance to have the greatest offensive weapon in history leading the squad. Scotty Bowman wouldn't kick Gretzky off his team.

With that being said, do I think Jagr, Dionne, Nels Stewart are prototypical Blake forwards? Not really.

Will it kill any chance the team has? No, because we do know Blake had the reputation for getting the most out of his players and being revered for his leadership. And I will always take the entirety of the team into consideration before making a final call.

So I think the discussion is warranted but let's not jump to full on conclusions in round 10 and keep things cordial.

 

[ResilientBeast]

With that being said, do I think Jagr, Dionne, Nels Stewart are prototypical Blake forwards? Not really.

What about Toe Blake specifically demands a certain type of forward? This is a hard conversation to have without bringing up a bunch of undrafted coaches I realize.

But there's nothing besides the actual Habs teams of the 50s/60s that ties Blake to certain type of forward. That just wasn't how he coached, it wasn't a system. It was a collection of great players who bought in to Toe Blake as their leader.

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

All I'll say is that I got crucified by some, years ago in the ATD final when Wayne Gretzky (my guy) was deemed a very poor fit for the coach I drafted. I honestly think that's what cost me a title and thought it was over the top given no coach is going to pass up the chance to have the greatest offensive weapon in history leading the squad. Scotty Bowman wouldn't kick Gretzky off his team.

With that being said, do I think Jagr, Dionne, Nels Stewart are prototypical Blake forwards? Not really.

Will it kill any chance the team has? No, because we do know Blake had the reputation for getting the most out of his players and being revered for his leadership. And I will always take the entirety of the team into consideration before making a final call.

So I think the discussion is warranted but let's not jump to full on conclusions in round 10 and keep things cordial.

IMO this is a very different situation. The coach you had that year gets drafted specifically because he revolutionized the game by bringing in a system that was new to the league which resulted in team success. In that case I think it's fair to require the team's most important players to be able to play that system. That is not the case with Blake here.

I'm not saying I fully buy Blake as a perfect fit either, I think BB makes a good point and further discussion is warranted.

@ResilientBeast the quote you provided about Blake is specifically addressing offensive tactics, while BB's concern seems to be related to defensive tactics. Do you have any similar quotes related to team defense?

 

[ImporterExporter]

What about Toe Blake specifically demands a certain type of forward? This is a hard conversation to have without bringing up a bunch of undrafted coaches I realize.

But there's nothing besides the actual Habs teams of the 50s/60s that ties Blake to certain type of forward. That just wasn't how he coached, it wasn't a system. It was a collection of great players who bought in to Toe Blake as their leader.

I don't think it's any 1 player, but rather a group of players that don't exactly line up with what Blake coached throughout the 50's and 60's.

The puck dominant/line driving players on those teams were C's (Beliveau, Richard) at least to the best of my understanding.

Jagr certainly, and to a lesser degree Firsov, read like those types. Dionne can be that, absolutely, but isn't going to give you much backchecking value.

Stewart was a lethal goal scorer and I think is fine with Blake, because he did bring physicality (fighting and some body checking in open ice) but he didn't dig pucks around the corners and the latter 2/3 of his career saw him turn into an offensive only player. So he'd probably be best as a LW for Blake, with a C who can carry the puck and distribute (which Dionne can do, or Francis, the latter being a better fit, given Francis was a good defensive C). Throw a digger, 200 foot type to their right and the line should be just fine.

But again, we have to see how the entire squad shapes up. How are the lines constructed.

 

[ResilientBeast]

@ResilientBeast the quote you provided about Blake is specifically addressing offensive tactics, while BB's concern seems to be related to defensive tactics. Do you have any similar quotes related to team defense?

That wasn't the vibe I got from his general concerns. In terms of general defensive structure I haven't found much at all. But then again for most coaches that will be drafted in this thing from the pre-television era we don't have much to go on anyway especially on the defensive side.

I'm not saying I fully buy Blake as a perfect fit either, I think BB makes a good point and further discussion is warranted.

Also to be clear, we don't think he's the perfect fit, given the motley crue we've assembled up front I don't think there is a perfect coach. We just think that picking someone who has a strong case for the greatest coach of all time without a strict reliance on a system trumps a lesser coach that everyone else thinks is the perfect fit.

 

[ImporterExporter]

IMO this is a very different situation. The coach you had that year gets drafted specifically because he revolutionized the game by bringing in a system that was new to the league which resulted in team success. In that case I think it's fair to require the team's most important players to be able to play that system. That is not the case with Blake here.

I'm not saying I fully buy Blake as a perfect fit either, I think BB makes a good point and further discussion is warranted.

@ResilientBeast the quote you provided about Blake is specifically addressing offensive tactics, while BB's concern seems to be related to defensive tactics. Do you have any similar quotes related to team defense?

This is fair, but again, we were talking about 1 player vs the team being a fit within a system (in my case). Gretzky, with the right type of wingers, can succeed in a forechecking style offense. That year was centered around 1 player not fitting vs multiple. Gretzky killed people off the rush, the cycle, basically any way you can imagine and worked with defensive minded and or/physical types in Edmonton.

Blake had certain players, playing certain roles. He was more flexible than Bowman in my book, but the strength of Blake's teams ran down the middle with the complementary players being on the wings. And I say complimentary as in guys like Dickie Moore and Boom Boom not being the best players on their respective lines. Usually anyway.

 

[ResilientBeast]

Here's the best I've found on the defensive side

”Toe” Blake, the former digger of the great “Punch Line”, stepped into the breach behind the bench. Rocket Richard had played with Blake and young Beliveau had idolized him, but the “Old Lamplighter” soon put sentimentality in its place, running practices so tough that Red Storey would later describe a punishing XXX practice as a day at the beach compared to Blake’s.

The new coach’s philosophy was simple: hockey is a two-way game in which players skate from their zone in a V formation, then invert to coverage on the opponent. The quick, fluid “transition game” was the essence of Blake’s vision and his players had to keep moving, heads up, sticks on the ice. Jean Beliveau used to laugh when hockey experts bowed down before Russian and European teams of the 1980s, for these so-called great innovators were playing the type of game the Canadiens used to play in the 1950s.

I don't think it's any 1 player, but rather a group of players that don't exactly line up with what Blake coached throughout the 50's and 60's.

The puck dominant/line driving players on those teams were C's (Beliveau, Richard) at least to the best of my understanding.

Since coaching this is somewhat of voodoo some quotes from previous drafts specifically related to Blake teams unfortunately it's mostly TDMM

Blake won a Cup with a stacked offensive-first dynasty full of stars who he let be themseleves. Then he won another dynasty using a much more team-first cogs in a wheel style.

Maybe I'm thinking of it too much in ATD terms but you don't want Bowman coaching a team with one-way offensive centers or defensemen or any super big egos.

Nobody else stands out for my team's needs, so I'll go ahead and be the first to pick a coach.

Toe Blake, Coach

Knows a thing or two about winning with Jean Beliveau.

What I like most about Blake as a coach is that he was a rare NHL coach who could win coaching both firewagon hockey (1950s) or defensive hockey (1960s)

This is in relation to TDMM saying Blake can coach any type of team

Agreed completely. Blake, sort of like Messier at C, is just so easy to build around compared to many other coaches.

 

[The Macho King]

This is fair, but again, we were talking about 1 player vs the team being a fit within a system (in my case). Gretzky, with the right type of wingers, can succeed in a forechecking style offense. That year was centered around 1 player not fitting vs multiple. Gretzky killed people off the rush, the cycle, basically any way you can imagine and worked with defensive minded and or/physical types in Edmonton.

Blake had certain players, playing certain roles. He was more flexible than Bowman in my book, but the strength of Blake's teams ran down the middle with the complementary players being on the wings. And I say complimentary as in guys like Dickie Moore and Boom Boom not being the best players on their respective lines. Usually anyway.

I mean - Blake's strength was Beliveau and H. Richard though, right? Like, when you have horses on your team you let them run. His just happened to be up the middle more than on the wing.

Couldn't he have very well adapted if he had let's say Lafleur and Cournoyer?

Admittedly his resume is silent to that, but that's kind of because of the roster he had more than any explicit failings as a coach to use that style. I'm not trying to advocate for a coach that isn't mine or anything, but my thought is especially if it's an all-time great coach who is less of an xs and os, system-type and more of a squeeze whatever potential you have in a roster type, the players are going to respond.

That's all to say if we're talking about a lesser coach, I could be convinced it's a bad fit. But this is Toe f***ing Blake. He'll figure it out.

 

[ResilientBeast]

I do realize that quoting GMs is a bit of the appeal to authority fallacy

But the 50s and 60s Habs were very different teams and had big personalities and Blake like @The Macho King said managed to motivate and get the best out of everyone.

 

[ImporterExporter]

I mean - Blake's strength was Beliveau and H. Richard though, right? Like, when you have horses on your team you let them run. His just happened to be up the middle more than on the wing.

Couldn't he have very well adapted if he had let's say Lafleur and Cournoyer?

Admittedly his resume is silent to that, but that's kind of because of the roster he had more than any explicit failings as a coach to use that style. I'm not trying to advocate for a coach that isn't mine or anything, but my thought is especially if it's an all-time great coach who is less of an xs and os, system-type and more of a squeeze whatever potential you have in a roster type, the players are going to respond.

That's all to say if we're talking about a lesser coach, I could be convinced it's a bad fit. But this is Toe f***ing Blake. He'll figure it out.

Probably.

Which is why I'm less harsh on this particular situation. Toe Blake was just that good and gets more leeway in terms of roster construction.

There are some unknowns because RB/martin's F's aren't built like anything Blake coached but as you and others have said, he's one of the few all time greats who can probably get away coaching most rosters to success.

It's a worthwhile discussion and I think it helps the younger GM's to understand that we do take the intricate nature of team building into consideration. It's not always just take the best player available or best coach available.

How well do the puzzle pieces fit?

 

[ResilientBeast]

It's interesting to see the scrutiny we're getting for Blake.

There was one year a Blake team made the conference finals with Russell Bowie as the 2C is he any better defensively than Marcel Dionne?

He certainly isn't a Henri Richard type if that is the bar

 

[ResilientBeast]

Like you said, Richard didn't play like Jagr at all, and by that point in 1956 Maurice was 34 years old. Jean Béliveau won the Hart and the Ross. He was the big star.

Speaking of Scotty Bowman, people claim Toe Blake is more flexible but Bowman coached a lot of different teams compared to Blake. I actually think for all his reputation for hating non-defensive centers, Bowman would have been a better fit for a jagr/Dionne team. Bowman coached Mario, and he coached Lafleur. That's already more similar than whatever Blake ever did.

Coached them briefly and then was run out of town

Did the same with Paul Coffey

 

[The Macho King]

Probably.

Which is why I'm less harsh on this particular situation. Toe Blake was just that good and gets more leeway in terms of roster construction.

There are some unknowns because RB/martin's F's aren't built like anything Blake coached but as you and others have said, he's one of the few all time greats who can probably get away coaching most rosters to success.

It's a worthwhile discussion and I think it helps the younger GM's to understand that we do take the intricate nature of team building into consideration. It's not always just take the best player available or best coach available.

How well do the puzzle pieces fit?

And that's fair but it's also a bit like asking who is going to do the backchecking on Gretzky's line. My answer? There will be no backchecking and that's fine.

 

[VanIslander]

Wonderful discussion about the fit of a coach and a team!

Good details about Toe Blake as a coach. I've learned a bit more about him.

That is the heart of what the ATD is about: talking about the details of the history of the game!

 

[ImporterExporter]

And that's fair but it's also a bit like asking who is going to do the backchecking on Gretzky's line. My answer? There will be no backchecking and that's fine.

It depends though. I don't think it's as simple as saying a line with Gretzky won't backcheck. Gretzky was a super smart player. No, he was never going to fore-check or be a stopper defensively but to write off a line as just being offensive in nature, without factoring in who is on the flanks, is too simplistic for me, personally.

Now if you put 3 Gretzky's on a line? Yeah, little to no real backchecking.

But say you did Firsov-Francis-Jagr vs Stewart-Dionne-Jagr. Those are 2 completely different lines with different outputs in both directions.

That's why I want to wait and see what RB/martin do on the whole, and then have a better idea of how I'll view the group.

 

[The Macho King]

It depends though. I don't think it's as simple as saying a line with Gretzky won't backcheck. Gretzky was a super smart player. No, he was never going to fore-check or be a stopper defensively but to write off a line as just being offensive in nature, without factoring in who is on the flanks, is too simplistic for me, personally.

Now if you put 3 Gretzky's on a line? Yeah, little to no real backchecking.

But say you did Firsov-Francis-Jagr vs Stewart-Dionne-Jagr. Those are 2 completely different lines with different outputs in both directions.

That's why I want to wait and see what RB/martin do on the whole, and then have a better idea of how I'll view the group.

I'm being glib but the overall point is unless there is a lot of evidence to the contrary, talent will figure out how to work together.

There are exceptions of course. Hull-Mikita is an obvious one, and I went into the draft knowing that with Hull I was going to have to be *very* careful with his C (and I think I succeeded there if I may say so myself). But otherwise if you put Gretzky and Jagr on a line together, for instance - even though both want the puck on their stick you know they're smart enough and good enough to figure it out. There's a big question that follows as to whether you're getting the most out of them in that situation, but really I keep extending this metaphor and it's just getting messier so let's call it here.

 

[tinyzombies]

Jagr is kinda of Beliveauesque the way he lugged the puck (and how). And with those hands and finishing. Never thought of that before. Different position, for sure, but somewhat similar style? His girlfriend has probably never heard of Beliveau, but he can explain it to her.

 

[overpass]

My take on Toe Blake: His forwards all had to play both ways. Remember Yvan Cournoyer was a power play specialist for his first two seasons, until Blake was satisfied with his defensive play.

But he could enforce that two-way requirement because he had the institutional backing and the depth of talent to do it on the Canadiens of the 50s and 60s. Kevin Constantine tried to make the Penguins play both ways in the 90s and he got fired. Like so much else in the ATD, it takes interpretation to see how players and coaches from different eras mesh.

The great thing about Toe Blake is that his players could all play skilled, attacking hockey as long as they played both ways. He had a couple of notoriously soft players, including J.C. Tremblay, who excelled as two-way players for him. Many NHL coaches haven't been able to deal with non-physical players, and Blake got a lot out of them, while not compromising his team's two-way identity at all.

 

[ResilientBeast]

My take on Toe Blake: His forwards all had to play both ways. Remember Yvan Cournoyer was a power play specialist for his first two seasons, until Blake was satisfied with his defensive play.

But he could enforce that two-way requirement because he had the institutional backing and the depth of talent to do it on the Canadiens of the 50s and 60s. Kevin Constantine tried to make the Penguins play both ways in the 90s and he got fired. Like so much else in the ATD, it takes interpretation to see how players and coaches from different eras mesh.

The great thing about Toe Blake is that his players could all play skilled, attacking hockey as long as they played both ways. He had a couple of notoriously soft players, including J.C. Tremblay, who excelled as two-way players for him. Many NHL coaches haven't been able to deal with non-physical players, and Blake got a lot out of them, while not compromising his team's two-way identity at all.

Thanks for the information!

I really didn't expect this to be nearly as controversial since he's regularly been used by experienced GMs on the basis that he was one of the few coaches who had tremendous success with an offensive star driven team in the 50s and a more team driven team in the 60s.

I'll have a nice and long overdue bio for him.

 

[tinyzombies]

You could use Dionne the way Blake did with his youthful offensive forwards their first couple years- exclusively on the powerplay. (runs)

However, this Dionne is not a rookie, he's a fully formed star. I'm sure Blake might have given a bit of leeway in that regard?

Though Blake was a notoriously difficult man. Bob Cole has a funny story about first meeting him when he had to share a pressbox with him and only him.

 

[Claude The Fraud]

The Cap Breton Eagles are proud to select, from Krasnogorsk, USSR, a four time World Championship all-star and quintuple Leading Scorer of the Soviet League, Vladimir Petrov.