Detroit Red Wings: 1960s

[Davenport]

You might be surprised to learn that the Detroit Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup Final four times during the six year period 1960-61 to 1965-66. During that period, the Toronto Maple Leafs reached the Final three times, the Montreal Canadiens were there twice, and so were the Chicago Black Hawks. The New York Rangers made the playoffs once during that period. The Boston Bruins did not participate in the postseason once during that six year period.

In 1960-61, the Wings bounced the Leafs to reach the Final. Detroit bounced the Hawks the other three times they participated in the Final. Chicago eliminated the Wings in 1960-61. Detroit lost to Toronto in 1962-63 and 1963-64. Montreal hoisted the Cup in 1965-66.

Terry Sawchuk returned to the Wings after the 1956-57 season. He was good upon his return - but not nearly as good as he had been before the trade to Boston. Lost time to injury was also a problem - especially in the playoffs.

Gordie Howe had 15 points in 11 playoff points in 1960-61. He had 16 points in 11 playoff games in 1962-63, and Norm Ullman also had 16 points in 11 postseason games. In 1963-64, Howe had 19 points in 14 playoff games, and Ullman had 17 points in those 14 games. Ullman was the Wings' offensive star in 1965-66, with 15 points in 12 playoff games. Howe had 10 points. In his only shot at hoisting the Cup, Dean Prentice - who was attained from the Bruins during the 1965-66 season - had 4 goals and 4 assists in the first round against the Hawks, ensuring that he would get a shot at the Cup. Andy Bathgate - acquired from Toronto after the 1964-65 season - led Detroit with five goals against Chicago, all on the power-play. Against the Canadiens, Ullman led the Wings with 4 goals and 6 points.

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[JackSlater]

Tough to win Stanley Cups in the original six era when Montreal and Toronto had far better depth than everyone else. Detroit's incredible top end talent in the early to mid 1950s is an exception.

 

[Davenport]

Tough to win Stanley Cups in the original six era when Montreal and Toronto had far better depth than everyone else. Detroit's incredible top end talent in the early to mid 1950s is an exception.

April 14, 1955, the Wings hoisted the Cup for the fourth time in six seasons. A month later, GM Jack Adams - nicknamed Trader Jack in Gordie Howe's memoir - began renovating the roster. May 27, 1955, he traded to Chicago his 7th, 8th and 9th most productive forwards: Glen Skov, Johnny Wilson and Tony Leswick. Included was d-man Benny Woit who played 62 games that season with Detroit. He received Jerry Toppazzini, Dave Creighton, Gord Hollingworth and John McCormack. Creighton had already hit the 20-goal mark twice so far in his career, and would do so again in 1955-56, with the New York Rangers. He was part of another of Adams' trades that offseason. Toppazzini was traded during the 1955-56 season. Hollingworth played 93 games over three seasons in Detroit. McCormack didn't play a single game.

June 3, 1955, Trader Jack sent his 5th most productive forward - Marcel Bonin - to Boston, along with Vic Stasiuk, Lorne Davis and his Number One goaltender, Terry Sawchuk. Stasiuk had underwhelming numbers in Detroit, but generated quite a bit of offense with the Bruins, as a member of the Uke Line. Sawchuk hoisted the Cup four times in Detroit. Adams received five players from Boston: forwards Real Chevrefils, Ed Sandford and Norm Corcoran, who would be traded during the 1955-56 season; defenseman Warren Godfrey, who would eventually play 12 seasons as a Wing; and goaltender Gilles Boisvert, who played one game in Detroit.

In August of 1955 - as mentioned above - newly acquired Creighton was traded to the Rangers with Bronco Horvath, who had yet to play a game in the NHL. In 1955-56 - in New York he scored 12 goals. Later in Boston - he would be quite productive. Creighton was one of the four 20-goal scorers on that Rangers team. Trader Jack received forwards Bill Dea and Aggie Kukulowicz. Dea spent the 1955-56 season in the WHL. Kukulowicz never played a game in the NHL after that trade.

Trader Jack was responsible for the lack of depth on the Detroit Red Wings. He made too many trades - and few of them significantly benefitted the team.

 

[JackSlater]

April 14, 1955, the Wings hoisted the Cup for the fourth time in six seasons. A month later, GM Jack Adams - nicknamed Trader Jack in Gordie Howe's memoir - began renovating the roster. May 27, 1955, he traded to Chicago his 7th, 8th and 9th most productive forwards: Glen Skov, Johnny Wilson and Tony Leswick. Included was d-man Benny Woit who played 62 games that season with Detroit. He received Jerry Toppazzini, Dave Creighton, Gord Hollingworth and John McCormack. Creighton had already hit the 20-goal mark twice so far in his career, and would do so again in 1955-56, with the New York Rangers. He was part of another of Adams' trades that offseason. Toppazzini was traded during the 1955-56 season. Hollingworth played 93 games over three seasons in Detroit. McCormack didn't play a single game.

June 3, 1955, Trader Jack sent his 5th most productive forward - Marcel Bonin - to Boston, along with Vic Stasiuk, Lorne Davis and his Number One goaltender, Terry Sawchuk. Stasiuk had underwhelming numbers in Detroit, but generated quite a bit of offense with the Bruins, as a member of the Uke Line. Sawchuk hoisted the Cup four times in Detroit. Adams received five players from Boston: forwards Real Chevrefils, Ed Sandford and Norm Corcoran, who would be traded during the 1955-56 season; defenseman Warren Godfrey, who would eventually play 12 seasons as a Wing; and goaltender Gilles Boisvert, who played one game in Detroit.

In August of 1955 - as mentioned above - newly acquired Creighton was traded to the Rangers with Bronco Horvath, who had yet to play a game in the NHL. In 1955-56 - in New York he scored 12 goals. Later in Boston - he would be quite productive. Creighton was one of the four 20-goal scorers on that Rangers team. Trader Jack received forwards Bill Dea and Aggie Kukulowicz. Dea spent the 1955-56 season in the WHL. Kukulowicz never played a game in the NHL after that trade.

Trader Jack was responsible for the lack of depth on the Detroit Red Wings. He made too many trades - and few of them significantly benefitted the team.

A lot of Detroit's 1950s success was luck based - Lindsay and Kelly came out of Toronto's system, and Howe came from the Rangers. Adams definitely did a great job ripping things apart though.

Key to Detroit not winning in the 1960s was trading away Hall and Bucyk in the late 1950s, essentially just to get Sawchuk back. Bucyk would be a significant boost to Detroit's forwards and Hall would guarantee stable, elite goaltending year on year in the early to mid 1960s. Defence would still be weak compared to Toronto and Montreal but it probably swings one Stanley Cup (1961) and possibly more.

 

[Davenport]

A lot of Detroit's 1950s success was luck based - Lindsay and Kelly came out of Toronto's system, and Howe came from the Rangers. Adams definitely did a great job ripping things apart though.

Key to Detroit not winning in the 1960s was trading away Hall and Bucyk in the late 1950s, essentially just to get Sawchuk back. Bucyk would be a significant boost to Detroit's forwards and Hall would guarantee stable, elite goaltending year on year in the early to mid 1960s. Defence would still be weak compared to Toronto and Montreal but it probably swings one Stanley Cup (1961) and possibly more.

The Wings could have had three Hall of Fame bound defensemen during that six year period - just erase the trade of Red Kelly to Toronto, and the later trade of Marcel Pronovost to the Leafs. Without Kelly at centre, Toronto would not have hoisted the Cup.

 

[Crosby2010]

If the internet existed today Jack Adams would be another version of Peter Pocklington. Adams seemed to make trades based on grudges. No doubt this happened to Kelly. And how the heck do you trade Terry Sawchuk after 1955? Why? You've got him, keep him!

That being said, they were so close. A 2-0 lead in 1966 vs the Habs going back to Detroit. And we all know how close they were in 1964. You have to feel for Bill Gadsby. Definitely up there all-time as one of the best to never win the Cup, but that puck Baun shoots goes off his stick and deflects into the net and it's the overtime winner. Then Toronto wins Game 7. This was Gadsby's best shot. And you know what, as strange as it sounds saying Howe is underrated, I honestly think there are times we forget the sort of playoff resume he has. We all know the 4 Cups and sometimes we just lump the 5 Cup finals the Wings had after that with him as it being his fault. Not so though.

1956: 12 points in 10 games
1961: 15 points in 11 games
1963: 16 points in 11 games
1964: 19 points in 14 games
1966: 10 points in 12 games

Howe is one of the best playoff performers in NHL history and he rarely gets his name brought up in that conversation for whatever reason. And he has 4 Cups other than these years, and his best year was 1955 with 20 points in 11 games when they won. 1955 Cup final he has 12 points in 7 games. A 4 point game, two three point games. A hat trick in an important Game 5. Just incredible in the postseason.

 

[Davenport]

If the internet existed today Jack Adams would be another version of Peter Pocklington. Adams seemed to make trades based on grudges. No doubt this happened to Kelly. And how the heck do you trade Terry Sawchuk after 1955? Why? You've got him, keep him!

That being said, they were so close. A 2-0 lead in 1966 vs the Habs going back to Detroit. And we all know how close they were in 1964. You have to feel for Bill Gadsby. Definitely up there all-time as one of the best to never win the Cup, but that puck Baun shoots goes off his stick and deflects into the net and it's the overtime winner. Then Toronto wins Game 7. This was Gadsby's best shot. And you know what, as strange as it sounds saying Howe is underrated, I honestly think there are times we forget the sort of playoff resume he has. We all know the 4 Cups and sometimes we just lump the 5 Cup finals the Wings had after that with him as it being his fault. Not so though.

1956: 12 points in 10 games
1961: 15 points in 11 games
1963: 16 points in 11 games
1964: 19 points in 14 games
1966: 10 points in 12 games

Howe is one of the best playoff performers in NHL history and he rarely gets his name brought up in that conversation for whatever reason. And he has 4 Cups other than these years, and his best year was 1955 with 20 points in 11 games when they won. 1955 Cup final he has 12 points in 7 games. A 4 point game, two three point games. A hat trick in an important Game 5. Just incredible in the postseason.

Both Norm Ullman and Johnny Bucyk broke in with the Wings in 1955-56. How packed would Detroit have been adding those two young forwards to the roster which produced a championship in 1954-55? Granted a couple of forwards would have had to be dealt to make room. The Canadiens would not have had their dynasty if the Wings had not been dismantled. A few more Cups would have made Howe's career even more impressive.

 

[Crosby2010]

Both Norm Ullman and Johnny Bucyk broke in with the Wings in 1955-56. How packed would Detroit have been adding those two young forwards to the roster which produced a championship in 1954-55? Granted a couple of forwards would have had to be dealt to make room. The Canadiens would not have had their dynasty if the Wings had not been dismantled. A few more Cups would have made Howe's career even more impressive.

Ted Lindsay always maintained that without the dismantling the Habs wouldn't have their dynasty. I think the Wings take at least one Cup from them. Those Habs teams were dominant too though, hard to say they still wouldn't have been great. 5 in a row I am not so sure though. Jack Adams was bad. Rule #1, never make sweeping changes to a dynasty.

 

[Gerulaitis]

Amidst the winds of change the Wings have held their ground
Through shifting leagues where new foes would be found
In noble Six their valor shone so bright
And met expansion’s tide with steadfast might
The year of 67 came to pass,
Yet still the Wings name shines like burnished glass
Their legacy endured through time's great test
A franchise ever honored, even blessed

 

[Davenport]

Ted Lindsay always maintained that without the dismantling the Habs wouldn't have their dynasty. I think the Wings take at least one Cup from them. Those Habs teams were dominant too though, hard to say they still wouldn't have been great. 5 in a row I am not so sure though. Jack Adams was bad. Rule #1, never make sweeping changes to a dynasty.

Jack Adams built a dynasty - 7 straight first place finishes, 4 Cups - then, in one off-season, destroyed it. At most, he should have created roster space for Bucyk and Ullman - not remove 8 players from the roster. Of all the players he brought to Detroit between the 1954-55 and 1955-56 seasons, only d-man Warren Godfrey turned out to be a "keeper." Dave Creighton might have produced offense with the Wings, but was traded away before he ever donned their jersey.

 

[The Panther]

Rule #1, never make sweeping changes to a dynasty.

About the Red Wings: Jack Adams was clearly a bit of a nutjob who put his petty ego-battles (vs. Lindsay, etc.) ahead of his team's fortunes. That said, I'm not sure that the Red Wings hadn't already peaked by 1955. In fact, they peaked in about 1952 or 1953.

But... with Ullman and Bucyk coming in... I dunno, maybe if Adams had shipped out Lindsay when he did (Ted was almost 32 when he played his last for the Wings) but gotten a better return (or not thrown in Glenn Hall...!), and they'd kept those 2 young guys. Sure, they probably win at least one more Cup. Maybe two. Changes a lot of things.

(I think they could afford to lose Sawchuk. The evidence does not suggest to me that Sawchuk was ever really elite -- certainly not consistently -- after leaving Detroit [aged 25!]. But how the hell does one franchise -- in the 6-team era, no less...! -- lose both Sawchuk and Hall in close succession?? I mean, that's early-90s' Oilers level of tire-fire.)

 

[Crosby2010]

Jack Adams built a dynasty - 7 straight first place finishes, 4 Cups - then, in one off-season, destroyed it. At most, he should have created roster space for Bucyk and Ullman - not remove 8 players from the roster. Of all the players he brought to Detroit between the 1954-55 and 1955-56 seasons, only d-man Warren Godfrey turned out to be a "keeper." Dave Creighton might have produced offense with the Wings, but was traded away before he ever donned their jersey.

By the time Bucyk started to hit his stride he was in Boston already. But imagine him doing that in Detroit. He could be added depth they needed. At least Bucyk was the bait to get Sawchuk back from Boston.

About the Red Wings: Jack Adams was clearly a bit of a nutjob who put his petty ego-battles (vs. Lindsay, etc.) ahead of his team's fortunes. That said, I'm not sure that the Red Wings hadn't already peaked by 1955. In fact, they peaked in about 1952 or 1953.

But... with Ullman and Bucyk coming in... I dunno, maybe if Adams had shipped out Lindsay when he did (Ted was almost 32 when he played his last for the Wings) but gotten a better return (or not thrown in Glenn Hall...!), and they'd kept those 2 young guys. Sure, they probably win at least one more Cup. Maybe two. Changes a lot of things.

(I think they could afford to lose Sawchuk. The evidence does not suggest to me that Sawchuk was ever really elite -- certainly not consistently -- after leaving Detroit [aged 25!]. But how the hell does one franchise -- in the 6-team era, no less...! -- lose both Sawchuk and Hall in close succession?? I mean, that's early-90s' Oilers level of tire-fire.)

I mean, Sawchuk had 9 shutouts on the Bruins in 1956. That's pretty good. Pocklington and Adams go hand in hand here. I've always been of the thinking that you keep the dynasty together until they lose. Never wreck the core. Even in modern times the Penguins and the Hawks both made trades but never got rid of their core players. And because of that you have three Cups for each franchise in the last 15 years. Detroit maybe doesn't beat Montreal in 1956, and maybe the Habs still have their dynasty because like the 1970s dynasty that one was coming down the pipe regardless. But you just never know if you keep your team together what happens. Do they have another one in them? Find out by keeping them together.

 

[tabness]

While there's no question that Jack Adams power games played a big part in tanking the original six Wings (this crap was even happening during the dynasty years, see the shipping out of Prystai during a slow start for the team which pissed Howe off a lot), the rest of the league was strengthening significantly by the mid/late fifties and it's hard to argue that Montreal wouldn't have surpassed even a Detroit team not gutted by Adams, Toronto is more arguable though because of Kelly himself.

 

[Staniowski]

Yeah, the Habs were too strong, regardless of what happened to the Wings. Beliveau, Geoffrion, Moore, Plante, H.Richard, Provost, and others all emerged within a few years.