Best NHL Players Not in the Hockey Hall of Fame & Worst Free Agent Signings in Maple Leafs History
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", revisiting the Shea Weber-PK Subban and Wendel Clark-Mats Sundin trades, the French Connection line, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Today in Hockey History: July 1
July 1 has been a big news day for the National Hockey League in recent years, thanks to the start of free agency. In addition to some big contracts getting signed, this date has also seen the birth of three different Hall of Fame forwards. So let’s hop aboard the THW time machine to relive all the best moments.
Top 3 Worst Free Agent Signings in Maple Leafs History
In free agency, some clubs take a big swing at a player on the open market and after the first year, it looks to be a waste of money. This has happened a fair amount to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before the Auston Matthews era, they took chances on players to try and end the suffering. Unfortunately, it led to more of it.
Best NHL Players Not in the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey fans love to argue, especially when it comes to their favorite players. Each year, the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) inducts several new members, sparking debates across the hockey world about the merits of certain players throughout their careers.
Revisiting the Wendel Clark for Mats Sundin Trade
June 28 is the anniversary of one of the most remarkable trades in Toronto Maple Leafs history. It was the trade that sent Maple Leafs captain and fan-favorite Wendel Clark for a young Swedish center iceman named Mats Sundin.
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Today in Hockey History: June 30
One of the most dramatic sagas in National Hockey League history finally came to an end on this date in 1992. Also, a talented draft class entered the league, a new franchise got its first coach, and a relocated one got its new identity. It’s time for our daily trip through the decades to relive all the best this date has to offer.
The French Connection
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle lived well before hockey ever existed, but his quote, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” certainly applies to the Buffalo Sabres’ French Connection. The famous Sabres line, comprised of Gilbert Perreault, Richard Martin and Rene Robert was a point-producing, highlight-making trio from 1972 until the fall of 1979. Each of the three French-Canadians from Quebec was talented individually, but when they were put together on the same line, magic ensued. The trio was unstoppable.
Subban-Weber Trade Revisited
It was six years ago that former Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin shocked the hockey world and traded fan-favorite defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber. The trade immediately split the Canadiens fanbase into two sides: one that despised the trade, the other that loved it.
Today in Hockey History: June 29
National Hockey League fans who love blockbuster trades have had plenty to be happy about on June 29 over the years. There was an action-packed day in 2016, and two Hall of Famers were traded to their hometowns in 1990. So let’s begin our daily trip back in time to enjoy all the best moments this date has to offer.