Kessel’s Time With the Maple Leafs & a Lineup for the Ages
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
In today’s edition, we have a couple of “Today in Hockey History” posts, a look back at Phil Kessel’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, an NHL lineup for the ages, revisiting the Montreal Canadiens’ 2018 draft class, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 10
This has been a very interesting date in NHL history. One of the truly unbreakable streaks in all of sports came to an end. The league saw its first-ever penalty shot, had a game postponed due to a November heatwave, and got a new player atop the all-time goals list.
Remembering Phil Kessel’s Time With the Maple Leafs
Phil Kessel is an enigma. He’s nothing if not a complex and seemingly contradictory person with an equally complex NHL career.
Kessel doesn’t look much like a hockey player; however, his quick skating (true) and excellent shot (very true) have made him a successful scorer in the NHL. At the same time, his playing style was unpredictable and inconsistent. He’s been a mixture of both hockey brilliance and frustration.
Revisiting the Canadiens’ 2018 NHL Draft: Best in Almost 3 Decades
The Montreal Canadiens had six top 90 picks heading into the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. A good draft is when you can get two regulars from it, which the Habs already have. That alone is rare, but three or even four NHL players from one draft class would make this an absolutely amazing draft for the former head of amateur scouting Trevor Timmins and former general manager (GM) Marc Bergevin.
Four years post-draft, four picks from this class look as though they will become regular NHL players. Two have already met that level, while two more have taken some time to develop but have looked very good at the pro level in their limited experience.
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 9
Nov. 9 has been a very eventful day through the decades. A pair of the most successful brothers in NHL history made their mark on this date. Also, a handful of long streaks both began and came to an end, and some of the all-time greats in Toronto and Montreal had memorable nights. So, let’s take our daily journey back in time to relive all the best moments.
The Best NHL Forwards Ever: A Lineup For the Ages
Over the National Hockey League’s 106-year history, we have had many legendary players take part in the coolest game on ice. The storied franchises of the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Islanders brought us legends like Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Mike Bossy, Gordie Howe, and more, who dazzled us every time they stepped onto the ice.
The last 10 years have brought a new era of stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, and more recently Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews. The question is do these names deserve a spot on the Best NHL Forwards Ever team? THW is here to answer that question and more!
Flames That Got Away: 3 Goalies Who Found Success Elsewhere
They say hindsight is 20/20. So, I’m quite positive every single NHL general manager looks back wistfully at former players who simply couldn’t cut the mustard on his team but then found stardom playing for another franchise. Of all positions, it’s no secret that goaltenders are the most difficult to evaluate and develop.
Their progression into full-time professionals can take twice as long as skaters and even then, there is no guarantee of success. That’s why it’s no surprise the Calgary Flames have punted multiple notable netminders who flamed out in cowtown, only to find success elsewhere.