There were two huge developments in the NHL in 1988-89 that pertain to the Calgary Flames.
First of all the trade of Wayne Gretzky to the L.A. Kings, and of course the Flames winning the Stanley Cup.
Because of that, I'm going to break this into two different postings. The LA, Edmonton Trade will go up today. Then either tomorrow or Tuesday I'll cover the Flames cup run, and put in the trivia section, first games and last games. They'll be videos in both sections.
I just want to make sure that both stories get the attention that they deserve.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
When the Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the LA Kings it was considered the biggest sports trade since Boston sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1920.
Not only did Gretzky go to LA, but Edmonton threw in tough guy Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski. In return the Oilers got Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and three first round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993. The Oilers also picked up $15 million dollars.
There was speculation that owner Peter Pocklington made the deal for the money, the NHL and its salaries were rapidly increasing as were the costs of running an NHL team. Others felt that the relationship between Gretzky and Oilers management had gone cold and both Pocklington and Sather wanted Gretzky gone as he had stood against them in recent management decisions such as their unwillingness to bend to Paul Coffey's contract demands.
the only deal comparable to this deal up to this point was made in 1947 when Chicago shipped Ace Bently to Toronto for an entire line made up of Bud Poile, Gus Bodnar and Gaye Stewart as well as a defensive pair in Bob Goldham and Ernie Dickens.
The Oilers management faced immediate backlash not only in Edmonton, but in Canada. Oiler fans showed up by the thousand to protest that Pocklington had sold his team out in the name of greed. Pockington and Sather weren't the only ones that faced backlash. Janet Jones Gretzky faced criticism they believed that she had used her feminine charms to convince Gretzky to leave ice cold Edmonton for her home in Las Angeles, "How dare she" they probably thundered "They aren't making anymore Police Academy movies."
On the other hand Kings fans were thrilled, Ticket sales soared and Kings games became the place to be for celebrities. Gretzky didn't disappoint, he scored 54 goals and 114 assists and captured his ninth Hart Trophy in 10 years, he got his Kinds into a second place finish in the Smyth, and by fates hands a matchup with his old team.
Interest in the Kings and Oilers matchup was immense and covered coast to coast in Canada and in the United States. The first two games were in LA where Edmonton took the opener 5-3, the Kings bounced back in game 2 by giving the Oilers a wedgie 5-2. The series then moved back to Edmonton where Gretzky found himself as the recipient of a hostile reception. Every time he stepped on he ice of touched the puck he got boo'd. The Kinds overcame a 3-1 deficit in the series to force a 7th game in LA. Gretzky wouldn't be denied, in front of a roaring crowd, Gretzky scored 2 goals to lead the Kings to a 6-3 series victory.
But the Calgary Flames needed to spoil the story, and swept the Kings 4-0, holding the highest scoring team in the NHL to a mere 11 goals. the Flames would go onto win their first Stanley Cup, the Kings were saved in LA, and the Oilers would have one last grasp for glory before fading into decades of darkness.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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It had to be frustrating for the players, coaches and management of the Calgary Flames, they were seen as a team on the rise since they went to the finals in 1985-86, they couldn't seem to build on it at all. In 1986-87 the Flames had a strong regular season but were upset by the Jets, then in 1987-88 they got to the Smythe Division finals but were easily swept by the Oilers. Frustration was beginning to mount, it was likely that the Flames if they didn't get over the hump would have to adjust the core of the team. also time itself was becoming an enemy to Lanny McDonald who had one last hockey wish and that was to win the Stanley Cup.
But at the same time there was a sense of change in the air, Gretzky had been traded away by the Oilers to the Kings, so there was a crack in the mountain that stood in front of of the Flames, and many felt that this was the best chance for the Flames to finally ascend to the Cup. Cliff Fletcher didn't stand pat with his lineup. In September he made a major deal picking up Steve Bozek, Mike Dark, Doug Gilmour and Mark Hunter while sending Mike Bullard, Tim Corkery and Craig Cox to the Blues in a deal that had to be considered a complete theft. With Gilmour the Flames got a complete two way with a high offensive upside, Bozek was a dependable forward and Mark Hunter was a gritty two way winger with serious edge.
On the trade deadline the Flames moved Perry Berezan and Shane Churla to the Stars and got back a huge utility winger in Brian MacLellan.
The Flames motored through the regular season finishing first in the NHL with a 54-17-9 record. But that didn't mean much unless the Flames did something in the playoffs, and they almost didn't as they ran into the Vancouver Canucks in the first round. Vancouver had finished a distant 4th in the Smythe with a 33-29-8 record finishing 43 points behind the Flames. It should have been an easy wipe out, but the first round is a funny thing and we see most upsets happen there, and it almost happened again.
The Canucks were a tough team of no names and they got the first shot in as they beat the Flames 4-3 in Overtime. The Flames came back with a 5-2 drubbing of the Canucks and they headed to Vancouver notched at a game a piece. In Vancouver the Flames dominated 4-0 in game 3 as Mike Vernon kicked out 21 shots. The Canucks rebounded in game 4 with a 5-2 win and the Canucks and Flames headed back to Calgary tied at 2 games a piece. This really wasn't supposed to happen, but the Flames had cracked the door open for the Canucks. The Flames beat the Canucks 4-0 in game 5 and headed back to Vancouver for the elimination game, but the Flames forgot to show up and the Canucks blew out the Flames 6-3. The dreams of a Stanley Cup were in jeopardy. Before game 7 Cliff Fletcher made a rare appearance in the Flames dressing room, he wasn't know for it, he wasn't known for making speeches. But Fletcher provided the ultimate motivational speech, extorting the Flames to get past the Canucks, and letting them know what would happen if they didn't. Game 7 was still a nightmare for any Flames fans with a heart condition. Like the series the Canucks wouldn't go away, the Flames would get a lead, the Canucks would respond at at the final buzzer the game was tied at 3 goals a piece and going to overtime. Mike Vernon because the hero with an iconic glove save that no Flames fan will forget. Then Joel Otto got the winner on a controversial goal at 19:21 of the overtime period when a Peplinski centering pass went off of his skate and into the net. Canucks fans will swear it was kicked in, I will swear that I just don't care. The Flames had avoided a major nightmare.
Escaping that series with their lives galvanized the Flames, they had won their baptism by fire. They swept the Gretzky led Kings in round two. Then trounced the Black Hawks 4-1 in round three. The Flames were facing a rematch with the Montreal Canadians who had beaten them in 5 games in 1986.
In game 1 the Flames beat the Canadians 3-2 with rookie Theo Fleury scoring the game winner. The Habs returned the favour doubling up the Flames 4-2. In game 3 Terry Crisp decided to sit Mcdonald and the Flames lost in the second overtime when Ryan Walter scored with less then 2 minutes remaining in the Flames. The Flames bounced back with a 4-2 victory in game 4 as Lanny sat out his second game in a row. The Flames slipped by the Canadians 3-2 on Saddledome ice as Al MacInnis scored the winner with 30 seconds left in the second period. Lanny had sat out his third straight game.
Maybe Crisp was playing the odds, he was now fighting the Forum ghosts, no team had beaten Montreal on their home ice for the Cup. Crisp also knew that this was Lanny's last chance at a cup, and this was a opportunity to give it to him. Whatever the motivation was Crisp to this day looks like a coaching genius pulling all of the right strings.
The Flames were tied with the Canadians 1 to 1 when Lanny McDonald stepped out of the penalty box after serving time for holding. The Habs turned it over at the Flames blue-line and Haken Loob Joe Niewendyk and McDonald took off up the ice, a brilliant pass later and Lanny roofed his patented wrist shot over Patrick Roy's shoulder to give the Flames a 2-1 lead. It was the first goal for Lanny in the 1989 playoffs, he had scored his first goal on forum ice, it was fitting that he scored the last goal. Lanny's goal bought the Flames fans out of their seats including a young Captain Crunch who by this point was seriously impaired. It also gave a sense that things were meant to be. Doug Gilmour took the game over and scored what would be the winning goal in the third period, the Canadians closed it to 1 but Doug Gilmour put it away with an empty net goal.
"There goes the buzzer . . . Here come the Flames"
After years of agony, after years of watching their Alberta cousins winning the Cup. The Flames were the world Champions, Lanny McDonald had fulfilled his dream. Terry Crisp kissed the wrong woman by mistake.
The Flames celebrated hard on the way home, they broke the cup out of the under plane storage facility and paraded it through the Flames.
for Lanny, it was time, what else did he need to accomplish, he retired to this day as one of the most loved players that this city has ever had.
The Cup was a blessing, but started a long period of suffering for the Flames where they would see a first round victory until the run of 2004. But that my friends is a tale for another day.
Trivia
On August 9, the Oilers trade Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley to the Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first round picks and $15 million.
The Hall of Fame inducts 6 including Tony Esposito, Guy Lafleur, Buddy O'Connor and Brad Park.
Minnesota picks Mike Modano of Prince Albert with the first pick overall.
Guy Lafleur comes out of retirement to play for the Rangers.
Over the summer Dino Ciccarelli goes to jail briefly for assault stemming from his attack on Luke Richardson.
On Dec 31, Mario Lemieux score 5 goals and 8 points, against New Jersey.
On Jan 10, Wayne Gretzky notches his 2,011th career point (Playoffs and regular season, surpassing Gordie Howe's 2,010.
Detroit's Bob Probert is arrested at the Canadian Border with 14 grams of Cocaine, he will be expelled from the NHL.
On March 21, just 14 days after notching his 1,000th point, Lanny McDonald scores his 500th and last regular season goal.
On March 22nd Buffalo goalie Clint Malarchuk has his jugular slashed by the skate of Steve Tuttle, requiring surgery.
Calgary posts a league best 54-17-9 record and Joe Mullen sets a record for American players with 110 points.
Joe Nieuwendyk nets 51 goals.
The Kings with Gretzky scoring 168 points finish second in the Smythe.
The Oilers without Gretzky finish in third in the Smythe despite 49 goals from an unhappy Jimmy Carson.
The Redwings without Bob Probert finish first in the Norris. with a 54-34-12 record. Steve Yzerman scores 65 goals and 155 points.
Montreal wins the Adams division with a 53-18-9 record. finishing 27 points ahead of the Bruins.
The Capitals finish on top of the Patrick division with a 41-29-10 record.
Pittsburgh is lead to a second place finish in the Patrick as Mario Lemieux scores 86 goals and 199 points.
The Pens set a NHL record with 120 pp goals. Mario Lemieux scores 13 short handed goals.
Without Mike Bossy, the Islanders finish last in the Patrick division and miss the playoffs.
Mario Lemieux leads the league in scoring with 199 points, Gretzky finishes 2nd with 168 points.
Guy LaFleur comes out of a 3 year retirement and scores 18 goals in 67 games for the Rangers. It becomes a farewell tour for Lafleur as he gets cheered in every building.
Mario Lemieux leads the league with 86 goals, Bernie Nichols finishes in second with 70.
Mike Vernon of the Flames leads the league in wins with 37, Patrick Roy leads all goalies with a 2.47 gaa.
In the playoffs, Chicago upsets Detroit in 6, St Louis dusts the Stars in 5. The Black Hawks derails the Blues 4-1 in the Norris finals.
In the Smythe the Flames survive a 7 game scare against the Canucks. Wayne Gretzky beats his former team mates as the Kings beat the Oilers in 7. Calgary then sweeps the Kings in the Smythe finals.
In the Adams, Montreal sweeps Hartford, Boston drives Buffalo over a cliff 501. Montreal then clubs Boston in 5 to win the Adams.
In the Patrick the Flyers upset the Caps in 6, The Penguins route the Rangers in 4. In the finals the Flyers upset the Pens despite Mario Lemieux scoring 5 goals and 8 points in game 5.
On April 11th Ron Hextall does it again as he shoots the puck into the Caps net to become the first NHL goalie to score a playoff goal.
In the Campbell finals Calgary walks past Chicago in 5, The Habs squeak past the Flyers in 6.
In game 1 of the finals Theo Fleury breaks a 2-2 tie in the second period as the Flames beat the Canadians 3-2.
In game 2 the Habs score twice in the third period to beat the Flames 4-2.
Down 3-2 late in game 3, the Habs tie the score when Mats Naslund scores with 41 seconds, then Ryan Walters wins the game in the 2nd overtime.
Joe Mullen scores twice in game 4 to lead the Flames to a 4-2 win.
Calgary wins 3-2 in Calgary in game 5 to head to Montreal with the series lead.
Calgary's Lanny McDonald scores in the second period giving the Flames a 2-1 lead. Doug Gilmour scores twice in the third as the Flames cement a 4-2 and win their first Stanley Cup.
Flames Defenseman wins the Conn Smythe trophy.
Wayne Gretzky receives his 9th Hart Trophy in 10 years.
Steve Yzerman wins the Lester B. Pearson award.
Montreal goalie wins his first Vezina.
Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch wins the Calder Trophy.
League jerk Chris Chelios of the Habs wins the Norris.
His team mate Guy Charbonneau wins his second straight Selke.
Flyer Tim Kerr wins the Masterton.
First year Montreal coach Pat Burns wins the Jack Adams.
Brian Fogarty wins the CMH player of the year.
Swift Current wins the Memorial Cup.
Harvard beats Minnesota to win the NCAA championship.
Harvard's Lane MacDonald wins the Hobey Baker.
in May 1989, Alexander Mogliny of the Central Red Army team defects while his team is touring Sweden. Mogilny ends up playing for the Sabres.
To a Flames fan, all was right in the world, the Flames had finally ascended to the peak of hockey dominance and won the cup. The Flames still had a strong lineup, Gretzky was gone from Edmonton and the key piece that the Oilers got back Jimmy Carson hated Edmonton so much that that he demanded a trade and was moved to Detroit.
The Flames were still a solid team, but had lost the leadership of Lanny McDonald, and Haken Loob had decided to return to Sweden, and Rob Ramage had been moved to Toronto. The Flames just put fear in the hearts of the other teams in the league, and while they still won the Smythe division their record of 42-23-15 was a large drop from their 54 win total of last year.
The fact was that parity had arrived in 1989-90 and a whole bunch of teams had a legitimate chance at the cup. Chicago, Boston and the Rangers were a threat as were the Sabres. The field felt wide open to the team that got hot at the right time.
It wasn't the Flames, they lost in the first round to the Kings 4-2 that included a 12-4 drubbing in game 4. As quickly as the Flames rose to the top, they dropped out of sight.
No one paid attention to the Oilers, the loss of Gretzky to the Kings was a devastating blow, and despite their second place finish, the Oilers were no longer a team that filled the net. The Oilers got further bad news with the trade of Carson, and then Grant Fuhr was sidelined by a shoulder injury and replaced by backup goalie Bill Ranford.
With Gretzky gone Mark Messier finally got the role that he was born for being named the Captain. In 1990 he established his reputation as a physical bull and a dominant leader, and he took his game to the next level. Messier finished second to his buddy Gretzky putting up 129 points and ended up winning the Hart Trophy.
In the first round of the playoffs the Oilers slipped by Winnipeg in 7, they then swept Gretzky and the Kings to take the Smythe division crown. Chicago took a 2 games to 1 lead, but Messier rallied the Oilers and they won the next 3 games.
the finals featured a Bruins team that had dominated in the playoffs, as they swept the Capitals in 4 games in the Whales conference finals.
Ranford and the Oilers showed their grit in game 1 as they battled for 115 minutes before Petr Klima scored the winner, In game 2 the deflated Bruins lost 7-2, then in game three they came back 2-1. But they couldn't stand up to the Oilers as they won the next 2 games 5-1 and 4-1. Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy, but it was Messier's drive and determination that prevailed. But this was the end of the great Oilers team, like Calgary factors such as salaries and the declining Canadian dollars would cripple both teams leading to a decade of Alberta hockey darkness.
Trivia.
The Hall of Fame inducts 5 including Darryl Sittler, Herbie Lewis, and Vladislav Tretiak.
Using the first pick in the draft Quebec drafts Swedish sensation Matts Sundin.
The Canucks create a storm or protest and controversy when they draft Soviet superstar Pavel Bure with the 113th overall pick after it was understood that Bure's eligibility ran out after the 3rd round.
At a July 1989 press conference the New Jersey Devils announce that they had signed former Red Army stars Viacheslave Fetisov and Sergei Starikov.
Among the prominant Soviets to join the NHL are Igor Larionov and Vladimir "donut" Krutov (Vancouver), Sergei Makarov (Calgary) and Alexander Mogilny (Buffalo).
After a successful "retirement" tour Guy Lafleur signs with Quebec.
On Oct 15 Wayne Gretzky passes Gordie Howe' 1,850 points after he scores 2 goals against the Oilers to give him 1,852 points in 780 games.
On Oct 17 Detroit's Bob Probert is sentenced to 3 months in the big house for smuggling cocaine across the U.S. Canadian border.
On Oct 19th Peter Stastny of Quebec enters the 1,000 points club.
On Jan 2nd Edmonton's Jari Kurri enters the 1,000 points club.
On Feb 13th the Islanders Bryan Trottier nets his 500th goal.
On Feb 14th Mario Lemieux leaves the lineup with a severely herniated disk ending his 46 game point scoring streak.
On March 11, Chicago's Denis Savard enters the 1,000 point club.
On March 22nd Bob Probert plays his first game for Detroit after a 1 year drug ban.
On April 16th Bobby Clarke is fired as the GM of the Flyers.
Boston posts the NHL's best record with a 46-25-9 record.
Montreal falls to third in the Adams division despite Patrick Roy's lead leading 2.53 gaa.
Quebec wins a mere 12 games despite Joe Sakics 102 points.
The Rangers win the Patrick with a 36-31-13 record thanks to new arrivals Bernie Nicholls and Mike Gartner.
The Penguins play 21 of their last 22 games without Mario Lemieux who still puts up 123 points, but the Pens miss the playoffs.
The Flyers fail to make the playoffs for the first time in 18 years despite having 7 20 goal + scorers.
Calgary wins the Smythe with a 52-23-13 record. Joe Nieuwendyk (95 points) Doug Gilmour (91 points), Al MacInnis (86 points) and 31 year old rookie Sergei Makarov (86 points) give the Flames a league best 348 goals).
Chicago wins the Norris with a 41-33-6 record as rookie Jeremy Roenick scores 26 goals.
The Blues finish second because of the devastating duo of Brett Hull with 72 goals and Adam Oates with 29 assists.
the Red Wings waste Steve Yzerman's 62 goal 127 point season as they miss the playoffs.
Wayne Gretzky wins the scoring title with 142 points.
Brett Hull leads the league with 72 goals.
In the playoffs the Hawks beat the Stars in 7 games, St Louis blows past Toronto in 5. The Black Hawks then take the Norris with a 7 game win over St. Louis.
In the Smythe the Kigs dethrone the Flames in 6, the Oilers beat the Jets in 7. The Oilers win the Smythe with a sweep of the Kings.
In the Adams, the Bruins bounce Hartford in 7, while Montreal gets past the Buffalo in 6. Boston then takes out the Sabres in 5.
In the Patrick the Rangers erase the Islanders in 5, the Caps exercise the Devils in 6. The Capitals beat up the Rangers in 5 games to win the Patrick.
Edomonton takes out the Hawks in 6 in the Campbell Conference. The Bruins take apart the Caps in a sweep to take the Whales.
The Oilers outgrit and outlast the Bruins in 5 games as the Oilers win their 5th cup in 7 years and their years of dominant hockey ends.
Oilers goalie Bill Ranford wins the Conn Smythe.
Mark Messier wins both the Hart and the Lester B. Pearson.
Brett Hull wins the Lady Byng.
St Louis forward Rick Meagher wins the Selke.
Patrick Roy wins the Vezina.
Ray Bourque of the Bruins wins his second Norris Trophy.
Sergei Makarov the 31 year old rookie for the Flames wins the Calder forcing a no old people rule change.
Boston's Gord Kluzak who has battled severe knee injuries throughout his career wins the Masterton.
Winnipeg's Bob Murdoch wins the Jack Adams.
Mike "You are ugly" Riccki wins the CMH player of the year.
The Oshawa Generals win the Memorial Cup.
Wisconsin wins its 4th NCAA title in 14 years when they beat Colgate despite their superior dental hygiene. Michgan State's Kip Miller wins the Hobey Baker.
So my plan is to get to the turn of the century, then take a break over the summer and finish the last 20 or so years in the fall.
I don't know if we want to pin this and keep this or even if we can, or whatever. I'm pretty proud of going from the start of the NHL to the end of the century with is about 83 entries, and I appreciate all of the feedback and discussions in here.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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So my plan is to get to the turn of the century, then take a break over the summer and finish the last 20 or so years in the fall.
I don't know if we want to pin this and keep this or even if we can, or whatever. I'm pretty proud of going from the start of the NHL to the end of the century with is about 83 entries, and I appreciate all of the feedback and discussions in here.
A break would be well earned. You've put a lot of time into this thread.
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As the NHL expanded teams had trouble with their depth, the deeper into the lineup the shorter the supply of really good NHL players.
Before 1989, the European and Soviet players had the skills and talent to play in the NHL, but the NHL didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat. The feeling was that Europeans and Soviets played soft hockey on big ice, and they'd get murdered on the smaller rinks and grittier hockey of the NHL.
The other problem was that Canadian and American players didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat, they didn't want to lose their jobs. Coaches and managers used the term "chicken Swede", and it had been thrown about since the Rangers signed Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg who actually showed a great deal of courage and toughness to survive in the NHL.
But these sentiments began to fade, the NHL was heading into another expansion period, San Jose would be added in 1991-92, Ottawa and Tampa Bay in 1992-93. NHL talent was spreading thin and it showed. General Managers began to look over seas and it was aided by the crumbling of the Soviet Union and the easing of immigration restrictions for Soviet Players.
Yet before the Iron Curtain fell and David Hasselhoff danced on the ruins, the NHL was slowly welcoming their Soviet brothers. The Flames led the way signing Sergei Pryakhin of the Soviet Wings, he was the first player to be given permission to play in the NH, but he wasn't the Soviet Superman that fans expected, lasting 3 years and putting up 3 goals.
The New Jersey Devils jumped into the pool, looking for ways to breach the barrier. The first breakthrough came in 1989 when they signed Viacheslav Fetisov, Sergei Starikov and Alexi Kasatonov. The Canucks followed suit, they signed Igor Larionov, and Vladimir Krutov, Calgary signed 31 year old Sergei Makarov.
While the assimilation into the NHL wasn't smooth, the success of Makarov and Fetisov convinced other teams to dive into the pool.
In 1990 the Red Wings picked up Segei Fedorov in an unauthorized move that upset Soviet Hockey brokers, but the NHL started throwing money around and it overwhelmed the Bureaucracy. Fedorov went on to lead all rookies in scoring in 1990-91 with 91 points. Other European stars jumped over the ocean. Matts Sundin scored 23 goals for Quebec, Czechoslovakia who had sent the three Stastny brothers to Quebec sent over Bobby Holik who scored 21 goals for Hartford in 1990-91. Jaramir Jagr joined the Penguins and became the last piece of the puzzle as he helped the Pens win their first Stanley Cup as an 18 year old.
Trivia
The Hall of Fame inducts 4 new members including Bill Barber, Fern Flaman and Gil Perrault.
Winnipeg Jets prospect Tod Hartje a Harvard grade becomes the first North American player to play for a Soviet team when he joins Sokol Kiev.
Prior to the season the Jets trade Dale Hawerchuk and a first round pick for a package that includes Phil Housley. Chicago trades Denis Savard to Montreal for Chris "Crybaby" Chelios.
Longtime star Jari Kurri flees Edmonton to play in Italy.
Using the first pick in the draft for a second year in a row, the Nordiques draft Owen Nolan of Cornwall.
The Nordiques pay $350,000 to the Djugarden Hockey Club in Sweden for Mats Sundin's release.
On August 31, Edmonton Goalie Grant Fuhr admits to substance abuse, he'll later be suspended for a year by John Ziegler.
On Oct 26th Wayne Gretzky picks up his 2,0000 career point.
On Jan 25 Brett Hull becomes the 3rd player in NHL history to score 50 goals in less then 50 games when he scores a pair against Detroit.
On March 31, Boston's Chris Nilan receives 6 minor penalties, 2 majors for fighting, a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct.
Chicago wins the Norris division title with a 49-23-9 record.
The Maple Leafs finish 2nd last in the NHL, 10 newly acquired players including Peter Zezel and Bob Rouse don't help much.
The LA Kings win their first division title finishing first in the Smyth with a 46-24-10 record. Wayne Gretzky wins another scoring crown with 163 points.
Second place Calgary is led by Theo Fleury with 53 goals and Joe Nieuwendyk with 45.
The Jets trade for 50 goal scorer Ed Olczyk but fail to make the playoffs.
Boston wins the Adams with a 44-24-12 record and enter the playoffs for a record 24th straight year.
The Nordiques finish last in the NHL, although Joe Sakic with 109 points and Mats Sundin with 23 goals show potential.
The Pens win their first ever division title. Mario Lemieux notches 45 points in 26 games as he returns from major back surgery.
The Flyers fail to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Islanders suffer through a hold out and walkout by Pat Lafontaine and win just 25 games.
Only 4 NHLers score 50 goals including Brett Hull, Cam Neely, Theo Fleury and Steve Yzerman.
Five Players, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Dave Taylor, Michel Goulet and Dale Hawerchuk join the 1000 point club.
In the playoffs the Pens survive a scare getting past New Jersey in 7, Washington finishes the Rangers in 6 game. The Pens then beat the Caps 4-1.
In the Adams, Boston gets by Hartford in 6, Montreal beats Buffalo in 6, then the Bruins take out the Habs in 7 games.
In the Norris, Minnesota stuns Chicago in 6, The Blues squiggle past Detroit in 7. In the Norris finals The Stars beat the favored Blues in 6 games.
In the Smythe LA beats Vancouver in 6, and Edmonton beats Calgary in 7. Then Edmonton upsets LA in a 6 game series that goes to overtime 4 times.
In the Whales the Pens beat Boston in 6 to earn their first ever Stanley Cup berth.
In the Campbell, The North Stars beat up the Oilrs in 5 games.
In game 1 the Stars win 5-4 over the Pens.
In game 2 the Pens rebound winning 4-1.
On Home Ice the North Stars beat the Pens 3-1.
Pittsburgh comes alive in game 4 as they score 3 goals in the first 3 minutes and win 5-3.
In game 5 the Pens score 4 in the first period and hang on to win 6-4.
The Pens leave no doubt in game 6 as they thump the Stars 8-0 to win their first cup.
Mario Lemieux scores 44 playoff points and wins the Conn Smythe.
Brett Hull wins the Hart and Lester B. Pearson award.
Wayne Gretzky wins the Lady Byng.
Chicago's Ed Balfour leads the league with a 2.47 gaa, and a .910 scvpct and wins the Calder and the Vezina.
Ray Bourque becomes the first 4 time winner of the Norris Trophy since Bobby Orr.
Chicago's Dirk Graham wins the Selke Trophy, while Kings Veteran Dave Taylor wins the Masterton.
Oshawa's Eric Lindros wins the CMJ player of the year.
Spokane wins its first Memorial Cup.
Northern Michigan wins the NCAA title over Boston University.
Boston College center David Emma wins the Hobey Baker.
It was clear that the Pittsburgh Penquins were going to be the favorites to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions in 1991-92, besides having the Magnificent One Mario Lemieux, the Pens boasted a lineup that included Joe Mullen, Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet. From a pure skill, scoring, and two way aspect it was the best group of forwards in the NHL.
However the Pens would have to overcome the death of their coach "Badger" Bob Johnson, one of the most beloved coaches in the NHL. He had undergone surgery for cancer in the summer of 1991 and died 3 months later.
Of course the Stanley Cup champions went to the well of coaches and bought out Scotty Bowman who hadn't coached since 1987, the hockey world wondered if the aloof and manipulative Bowman could effectively control the free wheeling Pens.
Bowman had a simple strategy, he let the artists do the painting and turned over most of the off day coaching to his assistant coaches. The plan was partially successful during the regular season, but still the Pens fell behind the Mark Messier led Rangers.
The Rangers got a strangle hold on Patrick division title, and looked like they were the front runners to win their first Cup since 1944.
Then the unthinkable happened that caused every NHL fan to drop their cup of coffee and adopt a blank stare. After months of threats and counter threats, the League Owners and the NHLPA hit an impasse over a new collective bargaining agreement. On April 1, 1992 the Players went on strike.
For a time it appeared that neither side would budge and the playoffs would be cancelled, but after 10 days without hockey and at the 11th hour, an agreement was sealed and the players returned to the rink. For the Rangers the strike resulted in a loss of momentum and the Rangers faded, and they were eliminated in the playoffs by the Pens who seemed to have found their motivation, even though Adam Graves broke Mario's hand and he wouldn't return until the Whales Conference Finals against Boston where he would lead his team to a sweep and a seat in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Black Hawks on a 11 game playoff winning streak, charged out of the gate and won game 1, Mike Keenan's strategy was simple, he'd use cement heads Mike Peluso and Stu Grimson to up the intimidation scale, but the Pens didn't buckle and won 4 straight games to win their second straight Stanley Cup. Having scored 16 playoff goals in 15 games Mario carted off the Conn Smythe trophy.
The question was, would Pittsburgh ascend to dynasty status and win a third straight cup?
Trivia
The NHL expands to 22 tams as the San Jose sharks take to the ice.
The NHL adopts several rule changes in regards to the goal crease. Also Video replay is employed to review goals.
Using the first pick of the draft, and their 3rd straight number 1 pick, Quebec drafts Eric Lindros who immediately announces that he won't sign with the Nordiques.
The Hall of Fame inducts 5 including Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Bob Pulford and Clint Smith.
On July 1991 the Blues sign free agent Brendan Shanahan to a $5 million dollar contract. NHL President then awards defenseman Scott Stevens to the Devils as compensation.
Canada wins its third straight Canada Cup beating the Americans 2 games to zip in the finals.
Pavel Bure leaves the Central Red Army team and joins the Canucks who "illegally drafted him the year before".
The Oilers clean house trading Grant Fuhr and Glenn Anderson to Toronto for Vincent Damphousse and sending Mark Messier to the Rangers for Bernie Nicholls. The Oilers also trade Jari Kurri and Steve Smith.
Eric Lindros returns to junior hockey rejecting a $50 million dollar contract.
On October 14 Ranger Mike Gartner scores his 500th goal.
Pat Lafontaine walks out of the Islanders dressing room and demands a trade. The Islanders would trade him to the Sabres for Pierre Turgeon.
After just nine games Pat Lafontaine is knocked out of the Sabres lineup when Flame Jaime Macoun breaks his jaw in two places with a slash to the face that requires major reconstructive facial surgery.
The Hockey world mourns the death of Bob Johnson who dies on November 26, 1991.
On November 30th Bobby Smith of the Stars enters the 1,000 point club.
On December 8th the Sabres and Flames engage in a 39 minute brawl as an aftermath of the Macoun - Lafontaine incident.
On Jan 2, the Flames and Toronto engage in the biggest trade in history as former Flames GM Cliff Fletcher, now the GM of the Leafs shorts Doug Risebrough. The Flames send Doug Gilmour, Ric Nattress, Jamie Macoun, Kent Maderville and Rick Wamsley to the Leafs for Gary Leeman, Craig Berube, Alexander Goodynyk, Michel Petite and Jeff Reese.
Leeman played 59 games for the Flames and was traded to Montreal for Brian Skrudland
Berube played 113 games and was traded to Washington for a fifth round pick
Godynyuk played 33 games and was claimed by Florida in the expansion draft
Petit played 134 games and left as a free agent
Reese played 39 games and was traded to Hartford for Dan Keczmer
On Jan 4, Mike Gartner enters the 1,000 point club.
On Feb 16th Michel Goulet of the Hawks scores his 500th point.
On Feb 29th Boston's Ray Bourque becomes the third defenseman to join the 1,000 point club.
On March 24th, Mario Lemieux scores his 1,000th point in his 513th game.
On April 1st the NHL players go on strike rejecting the owners Collective Bargaining agreement offer.
On April 12th the players ratify a new agreement by a vote of 409-61 and the players return to the ice after a 10 day strike.
The Rangers post a league best record of 50-25-5 for the first time in 50 years. Mark Messier leads the way with 107 and Brian Leetch scores 102 points.
The Flyers finish last in the Patrick missing the playoffs for a third straight year.
Montreal finishes first in the Adams division with a 41-28-11 record lead by Patrick Roy who leads all goalies with a 2.36 gaa.
Boston finishes in second place although Cam Neely misses 71 games due to an injury caused by a Ulf Sammuelsson of the Penguins during the 1991 playoffs.
The Sabres finish third in the Patrick and set an NHL record with 2713 PIM.
Detroit goes 54-25-12 to win the Norris division.
Brett Hull has his third straight season scoring at least 70 goals as the Blue's finish 3rd in the Norris.
The midseason robbery of the Flames helps the Leafs, but they miss the playoffs.
The Canucks win the Smythe division with a 42-26-12 record thanks to Kirk McLean's 2.74 gaa.
The gutted Flames miss the playoffs despite Gary Roberts 53 goals.
San Jose wins just 17 games in their first season.
Mario Lemieux wins the scoring crown with 131 points.
The only 50 goal scorers are Brett Hull with 70, Kevin Stevens with 54, Gary Roberts with 53 and Jeremy Roenick with 53.
In the Patrick Division playoffs the Rangers beat New Jersey in 7, The Pens survive the Caps in 7. In the finals the Pens erase the Rangers in 6.
Adam Graves is suspended 4 games for breaking Mario Lemieux's hand.
In the Adams division Montreal beats Hartford in 7 games scoring in double OT to close the series. Boston beats Buffalo in 7, and then go on to sweep the Habs to win the Adams.
In the Norris Detroit edges the Stars in 7, and Chicago beats the Blues in 6. In the finals Chicago sweeps Detroit.
In the Smythe Vancouver survives the Jets in 7, Edmonton beats the Kings in 6. In the Division finals the Oilers bounce the Canucks in 6 games.
In the Whales Conference finals Pittsburgh sweeps the Bruins.
In the Campbell Conference finals Chicago beats Edmonton in 4 extending their playoff winning streak to to 11 games.
In game one of the finals, the Pens win 5-4.
Mario scores twice to lead the Pens to a 3-1 win.
In game 3 the Pens win a nailbitter 1-0.
In game 4 the Pens win a wild shootout 6-5 with two third period goals by Larry Murphy and Ron Francis aas the Pens win their second straight Stanley Cup.
Ed Belfour and Tom Barraso each break an NHL record with 11 game winning streaks.
Mario Lemieux with 34 points in 15 games wins his second straight Conn Smythe.
Mark Messier wins the hart and Lester B. Pearson.
Patrick Roy wins his third Vezina Trophy.
Canucks rookie Pavel Bure wins the Calder Trophy.
Brian Leetch of the Rangers wins the Norris Trophy.
Islanders goalie Mark Fitzpatrick who battles a rare blood disorder wins the Masterton.
Vancouver coach/GM Pat Quinn wins the Jack Adams.
Wayne Gretzky wins his second straight Lady Byng.
Montreal's Guy Charbonneau wins his third Selke Trophy.
Charles Poulin of St. Hyacinthe is the CMJ player of the year.
Kamploops wins the Memorial Cup.
The United Team beats Canada 3-1 in the finals to win the Gold at the Olympics in France.
Lake Superior beats Wisconsin to win the NCAA title. Maine's Scott Pellerin wins the Hobey Baker.
The 1992-93 season represented a year of turmoil and upheaval. A new commissioner took over, new teams, Pittsburgh despite two cups in a row having franchise uncertainty as well as the Islanders, and on top of that a slew of playoff upsets.
The NHL underwent massive changes to its administration, Gary Bettman came over from the NBA and became the leagues first Commissioner. Almost immediately Bettman reorganized the league office and beefed it up, and then he changed the Conference and Division names. The NHL would now have an East and West Conference, and a Pacific, Central, Northeast and Atlantic Division.
Two new teams debuted as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators would take to the ice, two more teams were announced for 1993-94, The Florida Panthers and the eventual Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Goofy things were happening as well. Prior to the season Quebec agreed to traded holdout uber prospect Eric Lindros to the Flyers and also agreed to trade him to the Rangers. After considerable study the league decided that Lindros belonged to the Flyers. The problem, Ranger-wise was that several New York players learned that they had been involved in the trade that never was, and this caused dissension in the locker room. Once considered Stanley Cup contenders, the Rangers fell apart.
Pittsburgh was favoured to win the cup, but the Pens endured a emotional roller coaster of a year. Mario Lemieux got off to a fast start, but in January he was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. Mario missed 24 games yet showed incredible resilience, he came back to lead the NHL in scoring with 69 goals and 160 points.
With Lemiex back in the lineup, the Pens looked unbeatable, they won a NHL record 17 straight games, and brushed aside the Devils in round one. However the roller coaster ride took another dip as the Pens were upset by the Islanders in the division finals by the Islanders who scored in overtime of game 7 to dethrone the Champions.
Meanwhile playoff upsets were happening all over the place. divisional champions Chicago and Boston were both swept aside in the first round. The Other first place teams, Pittsburgh and Vancouver were gone in round 2. Quebec and Detroit the 4th and 5th best teams in the NHL were also eliminated in the first round.
Of the 7 teams that had hit the 100 point mark, only one, the Montreal Canadians made it to the Conference finals. The Canadians run was an adventure, The Habs played 11 overtime games in the playoffs and they won 10 of them. Three of the overtime wins happened in the finals against Wayne Gretzky's Kings. John LeClair scored the overtime winners in game 3 and 4 as Montreal clinched the Cup in game 5 becoming the last team from Canada to win the Stanley Cup.
Trivia
The NHL goes from 22 to 24 teams as Tampa Bay and Ottawa hit the ice, the league schedule is expanded to 84 games.
Helmet wearing is made optional in the NHL, but the league invokes stricter penalties for fighting and high sticking.
Tamp Bay selects first in the draft picking up Roman Hamrlik, Ottawa dfarts Russian star Alexei Yashin.
The Hall of Fame inducts 7 including players Marcel Dionne, Woody Dumart, Bob Gainey and Lanny McDonald.
After a 1 year holdout Eric Lindros is traded to both the Rangers and Flyers simultaneously requiring third party arbitration.
On June 30th arbitrator Larry Bertuzzi rules that Philadelphia and Quebec have a binding agreement. Eric Lindros goes to the Flyers for Ron Hextall, Mike Rici, Steve Duchene and three other players, two no 1 picks and $15 million dollars.
On Aug 8 NHL brawler John Kordic dies of heart failure while in police custody following a violent arrest in Quebec. The pathologist claims that a combination of cocaine, steroids and alcohol caused his death.
On Sept 17, the Kings announce that Wayne Gretzky will miss at least half the season with a herniated disk in his back.
On September 30th the 15 year tenure of NHL President John Ziegler ends, The Leagues former Council General Gil Stein takes over on a interim basis.
On October 5th, Mario Lemieux signs a 7 year $42 million dollar contract with the Pens.
On Dec 4th Eric Lindros is charged with common assault after Marie Lynn Nunnery alleges he elbowed and spat beer on his in a Whitney, Ont bar.
For the first time in 4 years since his 1989 drug bust, Bob Probert of Detroit is allowed to travel across the Canadian border without the fear of deportation.
On Feb 1, the NHL announces that former NBA vice President will take over as the NHL's new Commissioner.
On Dec 13, Goalie Manon Rheaume of the Atlanta Knights of the IHL becomes the first woman to play a professional regular season game.
On Jan 8th, while disabled by back pain, Mario Lemieux is diagnosed with Hodhkin's disease.
On Jan 21, after nine shoulder operations, hernia surgery, a broken leg, three knee surgeries and the death of his wife, 4 time 50 goal scorer Tim Kerr retires.
On Feb 22, Toronto's Glenn Anderson records his 1,000 point.
On Feb 24, Detroit's Steve Yzerman records his 1,000 point.
On March 2 after missing 2 months battling Hodgkin's disease Mario Lemieux returns.
On March 10th, after promising not to move the team, North Stars owner Norm Green announces the team will move to Dallas in 1993-94.
On March 19th, 5 games after returning from a serious neck injury Ranger's defenseman breaks his right ankle while stepping out of a cab.
On April 10th, the Pens beat the Rangers 4-2 to set an NHL record with 17 straight wins.
The Pens finish first with a 56-21-7 record. Mario leads the league with 69 nice goals and 160 points in 60 games.
The Rangers miss the playoffs despite Mike Gartner's 45 goals.
Boston takes first place in the Adam's division with a 51-26-7 record.
Ottawa finishes their first season with a 10-70-4 record.
Chicago goes 47-25-12 to finish first in the Norris as Jeremy Roenick scores 50 goals.
The Maple Leafs finish in 3rd as they set a franchise record with 99 points, as Doug Gilmour scores 127 points
Tampa Bay wins 23 games in their first season and finish out of the playoffs.
Vancouver takes first in the Smythe with a 46-29-9 record as Pavel Bure totals 60 goals and 110 points.
The Flames rebound from missing the playoffs to finish in 2nd place in the Smythe. Theo Fleury leads the way with 100 points.
Edmonton undergoes major personal changes as they start to rebuild. San Jose wins 11 games, and generally accomplish nothing.
Mario leads the league with 160 points.
Teemu Selanne scores 76 goals and ties with Alexander Mogilny.
In the Adams division, Buffalo shocks the Bruins in 4, while Montreal beats Quebec in 6. Montreal beats the Sabers in a sweep as the Sabres are missing Pat Lafontaine and Alexander Mogilny.
In the Patrick, The Isles upset the Caps in 6. In game 6 Washington's Dale Hunter cheap shots Pierre Turgeon after a goal knocking him out of the lineup. Hunter incurs a 21 game suspension in 1993-94.
Pittsburgh crushes the Devils in 5 games. The Islanders then upset the Pens in game 7 overtime to win the Patrick.
In the Norris, The Blues sweep Chicago, Toronto beats Detroit with a game 7 ot win. The Leafs then sneak by the Blues in 7.
In the Smythe the Jets upset the Canucks in 6, LA upsets Calgary in 6. Then the Kings beat the Jets in 6.
The Islanders are outmatched in the Whales Conference finals losing to the Habs in 5.
LA gets past the Leafs in 7 as Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri of the Kings each score their 100th career playoff goal. In game 6, Gretzky tallies his 8th playoff hat trick setting a new NHL mark.
The finals open in Montreal as the Kings beat Montreal 4-1.
Montreal's Eric Desjardin scores all three goals for Montreal including the OT winner to beat the Kings 3-2.
Montreal wins both games in Montreal 4-2 and 3-2 in overtime. Montreal has now won 10 playoff OT games in a row.
Back in Montreal the Habs hammer the Kings 4-1 to claim their 23rd Stanley Cup.
Patrick Roy wins the Conn Smythe posting a 2.13 playoff gaa.
Mario Lemieux wins the Hart, Lester B. Pearson and Masterton Trophy.
Ed Belfour of Chicago wins the Vezina.
Chris Chelios of Chicago wins his second Norris Trophy.
Teemu Selanne wins the Calder Trophy.
Pierre Turgeon wins the Lady Byng.
Boston's Dave Poulin wins the King Clancy Trophy.
Doug Gilmour takes home the Frank Selke.
Toronto's Pat Burn grumps his way to the Jack Adams award.
Pat Peake of the Detroit Jr Red Wings wins the CMH player of the year.
Sault St Marie wins the Memorial Cup.
The University of Maine wins the NCAA title over Lake Superior State. Paul Kariya of Maine wins the Hobey Baker Award.
The Rangers were a case study that money can't buy you a championship. Year after year the Rangers spent . . . and failed. Until 1993-94. Frankly the Rangers were in a rut, and 54 years had passed since they last sipped champagne from the Stanley Cup, but the Rangers were finally going to take the cup with one of the best team money could buy.
To do so, Paramount Communications who owned the team and Madison Square Garden, opened the wallet wide in the pre salary cap NHL and bought a team. Steve Larmer and Glenn Healy were purchased. They also hired Iron Mike Keenan for an ungodly $1 million dollars a year.
These new players were added to team that already had Mike Richter in goal and Brian Leetch on the Blueline, the Rangers went all in with the Russian invasion with Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Zubov and Sergei Nemchinov.
Keenan adhered to his playbook, Mike Richter was his goalie and Glenn Healey would sit on the bench and whisper sweet nothings in his ear and occasionally play a game.
By Mid season, the Rangers had taken a firm hold on first overall, Captain Mark Messier was in mint form and Adam Graves one of the many former Oilers on the team was on his way to a 52 goal season. To the leagues surprise, Zubov lead all defensemen in scoring.
The Rangers had the best special teams in the league, and that's a recipe for success.
When the Ranger's started slipping in the late Winter, Management went all in at the trade deadline and traded Mike Gartner to the Leafs for Glenn Anderson, they picked up checking forwards Stephane Matteau, and Brian Noonan from Chicago, and then picked up, you guessed it, another former Oiler Craig MacTavish.
The Ranger's finished the season with a 52-24-8 record, they opened the playoffs by murdering the Islanders 4-0 in the first round. They beat the Capitals in 5 games and then moved on to face the Devils in the semifinals.
Trailing 2-0 in game 6, the Rangers saved Mark Messier's ass after he made a guarantee that the Rangers would win game 6. In game 7, The Rangers rallied and beat the Devils in double overtime on a fluke shot by Matteau from behind the net.
In the finals against Vancouver, The Rangers lost the opener, and then beat the Canucks in 3 straight games. New York was now hockey mad and tickets to game 5 went for as high as $1,500.00 per game, but the Canucks won that game 6-3 and the next 4-1.
More nervous then optimistic, the Ranger's fans sweated and chewed fingernails through a tough game 7. The Rangers took a 3-1 lead, but the Canucks scored in the 3rd period, but the Rangers hung on to take the game and the Stanley Cup and paraded the cup a trophy that they hadn't seen in 50 years.
Trivia
The NHL opens the season with 2 more teams, The Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Minnesota North Stars relocate to Dallas and become the Dallas Stars.
The NHL Conference are officially renamed to the East and West, the Divisions to Atlantic, Northeast, Central and Pacific.
The Hall of Fame inducts 8, including players Steve Shutt, Guy Lapointe, Bill Smith, and Edgar Laprade.
The Ottawa Senators are fined $100,000 dollars by the NHL for throwing their last game in 1992-93 so they could draft Alexandre Daigle.
On Oct 8th the Tampa Bay Lightning set a attendance Record when 27,227 fans fill the Thunderdome to see the Lightning take on the Flyers.
The NHL on-ice officials go on strike, and are replaced with officials from other leagues. the strike ends on November 30th.
On December 5th The Ranger's Mike Gartner becomes the 6th player in history to score 600 goals.
On Feb 2, the Red Wings beat Tampa Bay 3-1, giving coach Scotty Bowman his 1,0000th win.
On Feb 5th Washington's Peter Bondra scores 5 goals in a 6-3 win over Tampa Bay, Bondra sets a record for scoring the 4 fastest goals ever as he scores them in 4:12.
On Feb 13th, Pittsburgh's Tom Barasso ties Frank Brimsek as the winningest American goalie in NHL history with his 252nd victory.
On March 3, Alan Eagleson, former director of the NHLPA is indicted by a Grand Jury on 32 criminal counts including fraud, racketeering and obstruction of justice.
Kings center ties Gordie Howe with a record 801 goals on March 20th.
On March 23, Gretzky beats Kirk Maclean of Vancouver for career goal 802 to pass Gordie Howe as the top goalscorer in NHL history.
Six members of the Hartford Whalers, Pat Verkeek, Geoff Sanderson, Chris Pronger, Mark Potvin, Todd Harkins and Mark Jassens are arrested on March 24th following a bar room brawl in Buffalo.
Pittsburgh's Ron Francis, New Jersey's Bernie Nicholls, Hartfords Brian Propp, and Detroits Dino Ciccarelli all notch their 1,000th point. Ciccarelli also scores his 500th career goal.
The Rangers win the regular season crown and the Atlantic division with a 52-24-8 record.
The Florida Panthers set an NHL record with 33 wins in their inaugural season thanks to John Vanbiesbrouck's 2.53 gaa and .924 svpct.
Despite an outstanding lineup that includes the original legion of doom line, the Flyers fail to make the playoffs for their 5th straight year.
Tampa Bay finishes last in the Atlantic.
Pittsburgh wins the Northeast division with a 44-27-13 record as Jarimir Jagr scores 88 points. Mario Lemieux finishes with 37 points in just 22 games.
Buffalo finishes with 95 points for 4th place in the Northeast thanks to Dominik Haseks lead leading 1.93 gaa.
Joe Sakic's 92 points can't save the Nordiques from finishing fifth in the division.
Ottawa's rookie center Alexi Yashin puts up 79 points but the Sens finish with just 14 wins.
Detroit finishes first in the Central division with 46-30-8 record.
The Maple Leafs start the season with a NHL record 10 straight wins thanks to Doug Gilmours 111 points.
The Stars finish their first season in Dallas with 97 points and a third place finish.
Tie Domi leads the league with 347 points, but the Jets can't score finishing in the Central basement.
Defenseman Al MacInnis puts up 82 points and the Flames have 3 40 goal scorers to take the Pacific with a 42-29-13 record.
Terry Yake leads Anaheim in scoring with just 52 points, but the Ducks win 33 games and finishes 4th in the weak Pacific.
Despite Wayne Gretzky's heroics, and a 130 point season, the LA Kings miss the playoffs. Its Gretzky's first ever playoff miss.
The Oilers finish as the doormats of the Pacific division.
Wayne Gretzky leads the league in scoring with 130 points.
Pavel Bure scores 60 goals to lead the league in goals.
Divisional playoffs are abandoned as the league goes to an 8 team format in each conference.
In the East, The Rangers seep the Islanders 4-0, Washington beats the Pens in 6, New Jersey outlasts Buffalo in 7, Boston squeeks by the Habs in 7.
In the West, San Jose upsets the Wings in 6, Toronto beats the Hawks in 6, Dallas sweeps St Louis 4-0, Vancouver wins 3 games in overtime to beat the Flames in 7.
In the East semi's The Rangers beat Washington in 5. New Jersey beats the Buins in 6.
In the West, Toronto beats San Jose in 7, the Canucks roar past the Stars in 5.
New York beats New Jersey scoring the winner in double overtime in game 7.
In the West The Leafs out physically beaten up by the Canucks in 5.
The Canucks win the first game of the finals in New York in overtime.
New York thrashes the Canucks in game 2 and 3 by a combined 8-2 score.
Down 2-0 in game 4 the Rangers rally to win 4-2.
The Rangers lose game 5 6-3, and game 6 at home 4-1.
Back in New York the Rangers take a 3-1 lead and hold on to win 3-2 to win their first cup in 54 years.
Ranger's defenseman scores 34 points and becomes the first American born player to win the Conn Smythe.
Sergei Fedorov becomes the first Red Wing since Gordie Howe to win the Hart, he also wins the Selke.
Boston's Ray Bourgue wins his 5th Norris.
Dominik Hasek wins the Vezina.
Wayne Gretzky wins the Lady Byng, Cam Neely the Mastertpm, and Jacque Lemaire of the Devils the Adams.
During the Gold Medal Game in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Peter Forsberg, scores in the shootout against Canada to break a 2-2 tie to win the Gold.
The Kamloops Blazers win the Memorial Cup.
London's Jamie Allison wins the CMJ Player of the year.
Lake Superior State beats Boston University 9-1 to win the NCAA Title.
Minnesota-Duluth's Chris Marinucci wins the Hobey Baker.
IIRC,the Flames management assumed neither of the 2 new teams (Florida or Anaheim) would pick an old guy like Brian Skrudland, so they didn’t protect him, even though he was captain material. They were shocked when Florida picked him. So was Skrudland,who had just bought a house here. Just another management fail by the Flames.
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Its getting harder and harder to put Flames stuff in here because we're entering a period of extreme darkness, and a period where we came close to the Flames packing up and leaving.
I think that was in 2000.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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The NHL faced the real possibility that labour unrest could force the cancellation of the entire NHL season. Despite weeks of negotiations, the NHLPA and the NHL owners couldn't reach a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the season. Consequently after the completion of the exhibition season on Oct 1, 1994, the owners locked out the players and decided to wait for agreement.
Both sides remained at a standstill, they both threatened with terms like "Final offer", and "This is really the final offer", but both sides were far apart.
The pressing issues were around free agency, salary arbitration, entry level salaries, the entry draft and revenue sharing.
The NHL had gone through labour strife before, in 1992 the players went on a 10 day strike and threatened the playoffs. The league settled but responded by replacing John Ziegler with Gary Bettman.
Bettman had come over from the NBA, he was a rising star and was young and aggressive, his mandate was expansion into new markets, a new American TV deal, aggressive growth and lasting labour peace (under the owners terms).
The owners wanted a salary cap, even though they refused to call it that, describing it as a tax plan. The players under Bob Goodenow. weren't really interested in that, they wanted a planned revenue sharing program instead to bolster the small market teams. With the rapidly increasing salaries and expenses, and the growing divide between the small and large market teams, and Canadian teams working with a less valuable looney, the owners wanted a hard line stance from Bettman and were willing to risk the season for it.
But there were risks for the Owners as well, with MLB baseball on strike, and the buzz generated by the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup, the league couldn't afford to lose the season.
Meanwhile with no end in sight, the players began to go back to junior hockey, or flee to Europe to stay sharp, this caused bitterness between players as some players who didn't get invited to other leagues started to wonder if they were part of the same union.
As the lockout dragged on talk of "Caps" and "Luxury taxes" began to fade, the Owners began to fracture as the large market wealth teams began to wonder why they needed to stick their necks out to the small market teams. These owners began to push for a rookie cap, loosened salary arbitration and even loser free agency. Small market teams, and Canadian teams were basically abandoned.
The Owners blinked first, and the pressure on Bettman was enormous, his hope that the players missing paychecks would buckle didn't occur, instead the fear of losing the whole season was too much for the owners to bear.
The owners got their minor concessions with a rookie salary cap, and changes to the arbitration system, but there was no luxury tax, and no salary cap. With the loser free agent rules, the salary growth that had bought on this whole lockout would accelerate, which eventually led to Winnipeg and Quebec leaving Canada, and Calgary and Edmonton almost losing their franchise until the league stepped in with a stabilization fund.
Since half the season had been wiped out and the schedule reduced to 48 games, Flames Captain Joe Nieuwendyk summed up the situation best "WE lost, they lost, the fans lost".
While much of the attention of the shortened season focused on the rising Red Wings and the the troubles with the Rangers, everyone ignored the New Jersey Devils, who under genius coach Jaques Lemaire, who improved the left wing lock and bought in the dead puck era. In 1994 the Devils came within an overtime of reaching the finals, in 1995 Lemaire perfected the Neutral zone trap which became one of the most debated defensive systems in history.
Instead of focusing on the lack of offensive prowess on the Devils, Lemaire focused on the teams strengths. Hard working forwards, smart mobile defensemen and one of the best young goalies in hockey in Martin Brodeur.
During the regular season, the Devils refined their system and the Devils finished a mere 4 games over .500, and took the 5th seed in the east.
Lemaire was certain his system would pay off in the playoffs where the refs put their whistles away unless one player murdered another on the ice. He was right.
Claude Smythe winner and pest Claude Lemieux was given the job of shadowing the leagues top forwards through the playoffs and he shut down a hall of fame roster of players including Cam Neely, Jaromir Jagr, Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau. Lemeuix outscored them all 13-7 in 20 playoff games.
The Devils smothered everyone including Scotty Bowman's high flying Wings. The Devils killed the flow of the game, and swept the Wings outscoring them 16-7. the Devils had won their first cup in their 21 year history.
For Bettman, the 1994-95 season and the collapse of the Owners during the lockout forced him to re-evaluate, and he began to play for the next labour crisis that he knew would be coming in 10 years.
He would have the consensus of a unified group of owners, he would deliver a salary cap, and preferably the head of Bob Goodenow on his wall.
Trivia
Citing fatigue and the inability and the inability to play up to his standards, Mario Lemieux decides to sit out the 1994-95 season.
The NHL Hall of Fame inducts three, Lionel "Big Train" Conacher, Harry Watson and executive Brian O'Neil.
Already a staple of two cable TV networks. (ESPN and ESPN 2) the NHL signs an exclusive TV deal with Fox Sports.
After 12 years in Calgary Al MacInnis is traded to St Louis for Phil Housley.
A month after coaching the Rangers to the Stanley Cup, Iron Mike Keenan jumps to St Louis. The league suspends Keenan for 60 days and fights him $100,000.
Without a collective bargaining agreement, the owners vote to lock the players out at the start of the regular season.
Negotiations between the Owners and players lasts til late January 1995, when a new agreement is signed.
On Feb 7th Pittsburgh's Joey Mullen becomes the first US born players to join the 1,000 point club.
On Feb 9th, the Flyers trade Mark Recchi to the Canadians for John LeClair, forming the Legion of Doom line with LeClair, Lindros and Mikael Renberg.
On March 8th Ranger's Steve Larmer notches an assist against the Devils to join the 1,000 point club.
In Minnesota, former North Star Bill Goldsworthy announces that he's suffering from AIDS.
On March 25th Scotty Bowman win's his 900th regular season game as Detroit beats Vancouver 2-1.
On April 17th, Wayne Gretzky gets his 2,500th career point in a loss to the Flames.
Detroit finishes first overall in the NHL for the first time since 1964-65.
In his first year as a Maple Leaf Center Mats Sundin leads the Leafs in goals with 23 and points with 47.
Winnipeg wastes a brilliant year of the Olympic Line of Alexi Zhamnov (65 points), Keith Tkachuk (51 points) and Teemu Selanne (48 points) as they miss the playoffs.
The Flames post a 24-17-7 record to finish first in the Pacific division as Theo Fleury leads the way with 29 goals.
The Nordiques finish first in the Eastern Conference as they are led by Joe Sakic's 62 points, and rookie Peter Forsbergs 50 points.
Eric Lindros powers the Flyers to first place in the Atlantic, by scoring 70 points, he loses the scoring title to Jaromir Jagr based on goals scored.
A year after winning the Cup, the Rangers struggle to a 22-23-3 record and barely make the playoffs.
In the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals The Rangers upset Quebec in 6, The Flyers beat down the Sabres in 5, Pittsburgh beats the Caps in 7, and New Jersey shells Boston in 5.
In the Western Conference Quarter Finals. Detroit beats Dallas in 5, San Jose upsets Calgary in 7, Vancouver upsets the Blues in 7 and Chicago top toes past the Leafs in 7.
In the Eastern Semi Finals, The Flyers mangle the Rangers in 4 and the Devils savage the Pens in 5.
In the Western Semi Finals, The Wings hook the Sharks in 5 and Chicago sweeps the Canucks.
In the Eastern Conference finals, the Devils and Flyers take turns winning on the road before the Devils win in 6.
In the Western Finals The Wings need just 5 games to beat the surprising Hawks.
In the Finals the Devils effectively snuff out the Red Wings offense winning game 1 and 2 in Detroit 2-1 and 4-2.
The Devils return to Jersey and finish off the Wings with a pair of 5-2 wins. The former Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils win their first cup.
Claude Lemieux wins the Conn Smythe with 13 goals 3 of them game winners.
Dominik Hasek wins his second straight Vezina.
Ron Francis of Pittsburgh wins the Frank Selke and the Lady Byng.
Detroit's Paul Coffey takes his third Norris Trophy.
Quebec rookie Peter Forsberg wins the Calder Trophy.
Eric Lindros wins both the Hart and Lester B. Pearson Award.
Boston College wins the NCAA title, with a win over Maine.
Kamloops romps to the Memorial Cup.
David Ling of the Frontenacs wins the CMJ Player of the year.
Brian Holzinger of Bowling Green wins the Hobey Baker award.
Quebec announces that they will be moving to Colorado for the start of the 1995-95 season.
This was a season of change, more the 150 players changed jerseys, the most noteworthy was when Wayne Gretzky was traded from to St Louis in February to join Brett Hull. Gretzky unhappy at the fall of the Kings had demanded a trade and after much speculation, was dealt to the Blues for a handful of prospects.
Midway through the year the Jets traded Teemu Selanne to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Finish flash was then teamed up with Paul Kariya, a player with Hart Trophy potential.
Back in Canada the Canadians faced internal turmoil after missing the playoffs, something that is unacceptable in Montreal, the Canadians fired GM Serge Savard and coach Jacques Demers and replaced them with Rejean Houle and Mario Tremblay. Both former players, but neither had front office experience, the most vocal opponent of the changes was Patrick Roy, the leagues top goalie and a fan idol in Montreal.
Things came to a head on Oct 2, the ill feelings and bitter sentiments came to a head in a game against Detroit. Tremblay kept Roy in net despite the Wings firing 9 pucks by him and Roy steamed. When Tremblay finally gave him the mercy hook, Roy skated to the bench, turned to Canadian's President Ron Corey and told him he was done, claiming Tremblay had humiliated him. Two days later Roy and Montreal team Captain Mike Keane were traded to Colorado.
In an especially painful season for Quebec Nordique fans, the Avalanche surprised the league. Fans and coaches alike thought that the Red Wings who had set an NHL record with 62 wins on the season would skate to the Stanley Cup. But the Wings collided with the Avalanche of talent that Colorado now had in the Western Conference finals, and the Wings were sent home after 6 games.
There was more to the Avalanche the Roy, after years of losing in Quebec,and facing the humiliation of the Eric Lindros trade demand, the Avalanche arrived with a bang a year after leaving Quebec. Joe Sakic was the teams offensive spark plug, while Peter Forsberg was the stylish playmaker with speed and killer instinct.The Avalanche had also aquired last years Conn Smythe winning super pest Claude Lemieux.
The Avalanche's road to the cup was rocky, each of their series leading to the finals went 6 games including 4 sudden death games against the Black Hawks. But once they reached the finals they exterminated the rat enamoured Florida Panthers in 4 straight games, including a 8-1 beating in game 2.
In game 4, Florida goalie John Vanbiesbrouck and Roy emerged as stars. In a 104 minute scoreless marathon, the longest scoreless game in Stanley Cup finals history, it took defenseman's Uwe Krupp's blast from the point to give the Avalanche the 1-0 win and their first Stanley Cup.
Sakic lead the way with 18 goals and set a playoff record with 6 game winners. Colorado became the fifth team in the last five years to win the cup. And Quebec could do nothing but mourn the loss of opportunity.
Trivia
After finishing the 1994-95 season in the Eastern Conference, the Quebec Nordique move to Colorado and become the Avalanche.
On Aug 2nd, longtime TV broadcaster Brian Smith a former NHL player is shot and killed outside the CJOH-TV studio in Ottawa.
After a year off Mario Lemieux returns and scores his 500th goal on Oct 18th.
On Nov 6th, Paul Maurice replaces Paul Holmgren behind the bench becoming the youngest NHL coach in history at 28.
New York's Mark Messier scores his 500th goal in a game against the Flames on November 6.
Only 2 days after quiting on the Canadians Patrick Roy is traded along with Mike Keane to the Avalanche for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko in one of the most lopsided trades in history.
On Dec 13th Detroit's Paul Coffey becomes the first defenseman to put up 1,000 assists.
Toronto's Doug Gilmour enters the 1,000 point club on Dec 23.
On Jan 17th Steve Yzerman enters the 500 goal club.
On Jan 18, the NHL approves the sale of the Winnipeg Jets who will move to Arizona.
On Jan 31, the Blue's Dale Hawerchuk scores his 500th goal.
The Jets and Ducks make a huge deal as the Jets trade Teemu Selanne to Anaheim for Oleg Tverdovsky and Chad Kilger.
On Feb 14th King's winger Tony Granato undergoes brain surgery to repair an intracranial hematoma resulting from a a headlong crash into the boards.
Colorado's Patrick Roy recordes his 300th career win against Edmonton on Feb 19th.
On December 19th the Flames trade disgruntled Joe Niewendyk to the Dalals Stars for Corey Millen and Jarome Iginla.
Wayne Gretzky is traded from the Kings to St Louis, the Kings receive Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat and a 1st and 5th round draft pick.
The Montreal Forum closes on March 11th as the Habs move to the Molson Centre.
St Louis goalie Grant Fuhr plays in 76 straight games.
Toronto's Larry Murphy becomes the 4th defenseman to put up 1,000 points on March 27.
On March 29th former scoring ace Bill Goldsworthy 51, succumbs to complications resulting from his long battle with AIDS.
The Red Wings set a record with 62 wins on route to their second straight President's Cup.
Despite Wayne Gretzky's 102 points and Brett Hulls 43 goals the Blue's finish 4th in the Central.
The first year Avalanche take the Pacific division with 47 wins.
Despite a overall losing record the Flames ride Theo Fleury's 46 goals and 96 points to second place in the Pacific.
Anaheim with Paul Kariya's 50 goals and Teemu Selanne's 108 points fail to make the playoffs.
The Oilers miss the playoffs for their 4th straight year despite Doug Weights 104 points.
San Jose finishes dead last in the West with just 20 wins.
In the East Eric Lindros gets 115 points while his linemate John LeClaire scores 51 goals as the Flyers win the East with 103 points.
The surprising Florida Panthers are led by Ray Sheppard with 37 goals and Scott Mellanby's 70 points as they finish 3rd in the Atlantic.
One year after winning the Stanley Cup the Devils fail to make the playoffs despite a 37-33-12 record.
In the Northeast the Pens win 49 games, Mario returns to lead the league with 161 points while Jagr scores 149 points and Ron Francis 119.
Hartford misses the playoffs making Captain Brendan Shanahan miserable despite his 44 goals.
Though Dominik Hasek leads all goalies with a .920 svpct, the Sabres miss the playoffs.
The Senator's finishes dead last in the NHL with 18 wins. Their lone bright spot is rookie Daniel Alfredsson who scores 26 points.
In the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Florida upsets the Bruins in 5, the Rangers toss the Canadians in 6, Pittsburgh says enough of you to Washington and wins in 6, and the Flyers get past Tampa in 6.
In the Western semis, Chicago sweeps the Flames, Colorado whips the Canucks in 6, Detroit boots Winnipeg in 6 and St Louis walks past Toronto in 6.
In the Eastern Semi finals, the Pens overcome the Rangers in 5, while the Panthers stun the Flyers in 6.
In the Western semis, Colorado eliminates the Hawks in 6 with 4 games going to overtime, Detoit beats St Louis thanks to a game 7 overtime winner by Steve Yzerman.
In the Eastern finals the Panther's upset the Penguins in 7.
Colorado beats Detroit in a violent 6 game series.
In the finals, Colorado steps on the gas outscoring Florida 11-2 in game 1 and 2.
On home ice the Panthers drop a 3-2 decision in game 3.
Game 4 goes scoreless trough 3 periods and 2 overtimes before Uwe Krupp scores the winner at 4:31 of the third overtime as Patrick Roy stops 63 shots to earn the shutout and the Stanley Cup.
Joe Sakic scores 34 points including 6 game winners in 22 games to win the Conn Smythe.
In a story book ending to a amazing comeback Mario Lemieux wins the Hart and Lester B. Pearson.
Washington's Jim Carey a part time pet detective and full time goalie wins the Vezina Trophy recording 33 wins and a 2.26 gaa.
Chicago's Chris Chelios wins his third Norris.
Gary Robert's comes back from a serious neck injury to with the Masterton.
Ottawa's Daniel Alfredson wins the Calder.
Paul Kariya of Anaheim wins the Lady Byng.
Detroit coach Scotty Bowman wins the Adams/
Sergei Federov of Detroit wins the Selke.
The university of Michigan wins the NCAA title beating Colorado College.
IIRC,the Flames management assumed neither of the 2 new teams (Florida or Anaheim) would pick an old guy like Brian Skrudland, so they didn’t protect him, even though he was captain material. They were shocked when Florida picked him. So was Skrudland,who had just bought a house here. Just another management fail by the Flames.
Skrudland also missed about half the year with injuries, and made what was considered "a lot of money" at the time, for a bottom-six forward: $650,000. I don't know if it's safe to say that Risebrough was "shocked", as much as conventional wisdom at the time was that expansion teams would be wary of injury-prone, highly-paid players about to turn 30 and preferred to gamble on younger prospects. They hoped Skrudland wouldn't be picked, and weren't happy he was, but they also tried to make a deal with Bobby Clarke to give the Panthers a package of other players instead, but he refused.
In retrospect Risebrough should have left Craig Berube or Paul Kruse unprotected instead, but *shrug*
Once the New York Rangers had ended their 54 year curse in 1994, all eye's turned to the Red Wings who became the team with the longest cup drought. For the first time in 42 years the Red Wings would bring the cup home to the fans in Hockeytown.
The Wings had dominated the league in the previous year with 62 wins and were expected to walk to the Cup, but a upset by the Avalanche led to a summer of heartache. In 1996 Scotty Bowman decided to alternate his goaltenders and try MVP forward Sergei Fedorov on defense. Bowman's carefully constructed plan, which centered on defence first worked perfectly.
To help bolster the teams chemistry the Red Wings aquired two key players. Brendan Shanahan came from Hartford for hold out Keith Primeau who was a holdout and Paul Coffey, and defenceman Larry Murphy who had been boo'd out of Toronto, proved he still had game in his 36 year old legs by providing veteran leadership from the blueline. Shanahan and Murphy aided 14 year Captain Steve Yzerman, who provided the leadership needed to win the Stanley Cup.
Before the playoff field had been reduced to two teams, the NHL lost one of its greatest players as Mario Lemieux and his Pens were knocked out by the Flyers in the first round. After overcoming Hodgkin's disease and a chronic back injury through his career, Mario decided to retire saying he'd had enough of the clutching and interference that had now become an everyday activity in the NHL.
In his last season Lemieux exited like a champion winning his sixth scoring title and second in a row with 122 points. Shortly after he hung up his skates, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced that he would be enshrined without the normal 3 year waiting period.
Meanwhile a heated rivalry between Colorado and Detroit had evolved over the past two seasons, including the "Fight Night at the Joe" on March 26, 1997. Four battles took place that night including goalie Mike Vernon bloodying Patrick Roy. The two teams met again in the Conference finals. After the wings dominated the opener but lost 2-1, they rolled off 3 straight capping off a 6-0 romp with 236 minutes in penalties.
The Wings dance partner in the finals were the Philadelphia Flyers who had advanced after trouncing the Rangers in 5 games. But the Flyers were no match and were swept in the finals.
The Flyers could blame Conn Smythe winner Mike Vernon for their destruction. Bowman decided to start the aged veteran after Chris Osgood stood between the pipes for a majority of the regular season. Mike Vernon proved to be magical after he stopped 102 of 108 shots in the Finals and allowed the Wings to sip their first champagne from the Cup in 42 years.
Trivia
The Winnipeg Jets leave Manitoba and head to Phoenix where they become the Coyote.
In September Team USA wins the first ever World Cup of Hockey, as they take a 5-2 victory in game 3 of the finals. Rangers goalie Mike Richter is the tournament MVP.
Following a brief stint In St Louis, Wayne Gretzky signs with the New York Rangers, reuniting with Mark Messier.
In August Chicago trades hold out Jeremy Roenick to Phoenix for playmaker Alexi Zhamnov.
Just 12 games into the season Buffalo's Pat Lafontaine is knocked out for the year with Post Concussion syndrome, a growing problem in the NHL.
In a December 1996, Wayne Gretzky passes the unprecedented 3,000 point mark with 2,639 regular season points and 362 post season points.
On Dec 22, Brett Hull scores his 500th career goal passing his old man Bobby.
With injuries to both Tom Barrass and Ken Wregget, the Penguins turn to rookie Patrick Lalime who starts his NHL career with a 14-0-2 record.
Playing in his final season Mario Lemieux scores his 600th goal on Feb 4, 1997.
Scotty Bowman wins his 1,000th career game on Feb 9th.
In mid March, Pittsburgh's Joe Mullen and Devil Dave Andreychuk become the 25th and 26th players respectively to join the 500 goal club.
Colorado led by Patrick Roy's 38 wins takes the President's trophy with 107 points.
For the first time in 5 years the Oilers return to the playoffs as Doug Smith with 82 points and Ryan Smyth 39 goals lead the Oilers to third in the Pacific.
Despite a respectable defence, with a 2.87 goals against he Flames miss the playoffs and finish 5th in the Pacific.
The Central Division title goes to Dallas who win a franchise record 48 games.
Brendan Shanahan scores 47 goals and Mike Vernon collects his 300th win to help the Wing's take 2nd in the Central with a 38-26-18 record.
In a successful first year in Arizona, the Coyotes get 52 goals from Keith Tkachuk and finish 3rd in the Division.
The Blue's survive Mike Keenan who is fired to finish fourth in the Central.
On the strength of Martin Brodeur's 1.88 league leading gaa, the Devils take the Atlantic Division title with 104 points.
The Flyers get 50 goals from John LeClair, and 79 points in 52 games by Eric Lindros to finish 2nd in the Atlantic.
Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier take the Rangers to a 38-34-10 record good for 4th in the Atlantic.
For the first time since 1982 the Capitals miss the playoffs.
Behind Dominik Hasek the Sabres win the Northeast Division at 40-30-12.
The Pens boast three of the NHL's top scorers, Mario Lemieux (122 points), Jaromir Jagr (95), Ron Francis (90) to finish second in the North East.
For the first time in 5 years, the Senators earn a playoff spot, finishing 3rd in the Northeast.
In a sad finale, the Whalers finish their last year in Hartford as a bust. Their top three scorers Geoff Sanderson, Andrew Cassels and Derek King are destined to be dealt.
For the First time in 10 years the Bruins miss the playoffs, finishing with a 25-47-9 record.
Mario Lemieux wins the scoring title with 122 points, while Keith Tkachuk leads the league with 52 goals, and Brian Leetch of the Rangers leads all blueliners with 78 points.
In the Eastern quarter finals, the Devils crush the Habs in 5, The Flyers throttle the Pens in 5, the Rangers tame the Panthers in 5 and Buffalo survives Ottawa in Overtime of game 7.
In the Western quarterfinals, Colorado beats Chicago in 6, Detroit ousts St. Louis in 6, Edmonton shocks Dallas in 7, and Anaheim edges Phoenix in 7.
In the Eastern semis, the Rangers upset the Devils in 5, The Flyers clap Buffalo in 5.
In the Western semis, The Red Wings take three games in ot to beat the Ducks in 4. Colorado drills for Oil sweeping the Oilers.
In the Eastern finals, the Flyers dispatch the Rangers in 5.
In the Western finals, the Wings and Avalanche engage in a blood feud including back to back 6-0 whippings of each other, before Detroit wins in 6.
In game 1 of the finals, the Red Wings beat the Flyers on the road 4-2.
The Wings take game 2 4-2, when Kirk Maltby breaks a 2-2 tie in the second period.
Back in Detroit, the Red Wings are unstoppable ripping 6 goals past Ron Hextall in a 6-1 win and 3-0 lead.
In game 4 the Red Wings beat the Flyers 2-1 on the basis of Darren McCarty's Stanley Cup winning goals.
For the first time since 1955, the Wings are Champions, Mike Vernon wins the Conn Smythe.
Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek rules as he wins the Hart, Lester B. Pearson and Vezina trophy.
Tony Granato of San Jose who returns from life threatening brain surgery a year before wins the Masterton trophy.
Rangers blueliner Brian Leetch wins his second straight Norris Trophy.
Paul Kariya takes home his second straight Lady Byng.
Michael Peca climbs out of his coffin in Buffalo to win the Selke trophy.
Ted Nolan of Buffalo wins the Adams.
Bryan Berard who refused to play for Ottawa when drafted first overall in 1995 wins the Calder trophy for the Islanders.
The NHL announces its next expansion as Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus and Minnesota are to join the league in stages from 1998-99 to 2000-01.
Ever since Ulf Sterner crossed the Atlantic to play briefly with the Rangers in the 1960's, the NHL has had a taste of distinct European flavors, however, we can argue that it wasn't until 1997-98 that the NHL became a true global league, especially when the league shut down for 2 weeks in February to allow players to participate in the Winter Olympic games.
The international dominance of the NHL reached record heights in 1998. Seven of the leagues 11 scorers were European trained. Jaromir Jagr won his second scoring title with 102 points, while Teemu Selanne, Pavel Bure and Peter Bondra all hit the 50 point plateau. In a year where every team was playing the neutral zone trap, and offense was decidedly down, the most exciting players in the NHL came from Europe.
Still the story of the NHL was dominated by defence, more defence and goaltending, and Dominik Hasek. The dwindling goals total was a topic of concern for the whole season, with an average of only 5.3 goals scored per game, the lowest total in 42 years.
Jagr was the only player to break the 100 point barrier, while the leading scorers for 18 of the leagues 26 teams failed to average a point a game.
In the reality the league had always lived on its strengths, in the 80's the weakness of the player pool beyond top pairing defensemen and top 3 forwards, and goaltenders led to an orgy of scoring. In the 1990's the league's strength was in net and shut down blueliners and forwards., and a visible reduction in offensive offence was the result. The NHL had entered the dead puck era.
As far as goaltending goes, no one could match "The Dominator", Dominik Hasek. The on ice antics of the Sabre's elastic acrobat from the Czech Republic has been well documented, but he put together back to back earth shattering seasons. In 1997-98, Hasek recorded 13 shutouts, the most by any goaltender since Tony Esposito put up 15 shutouts in 1969-70.
At the end of the season, Hasek was awarded with his second consecutive Hart Trophy, making him the only goalie to to accomplish this feat. Perhaps Hasek's greatest Triumph was his outstanding display during the 1998 Winter Olympics , Hasek put up a wall that couldn't be broken and led the underdog Czech team to an upset gold medal over the Russians.
Hasek hoped to top the season off with a Stanley Cup, however there was one obstacle, the surprising Washington Capitals, who were more then Buffalo could handle and dumped the Sabres in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Three of the Capitals 4 wins over the Sabres took place in Overtime. The Capitals then went on to face the Red Wings in the finals, and the Wings had little trouble sweeping aside the Caps to win their second straight Cup.
Trivia
Just days after winning the 1997 Cup, Detroit Defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov is critically injured in a limo crash.
Mark Messier leaves the Rangers as a free agent to join the Vancouver Canucks.
On Oct 3, the NHL begins in unique fashion. Anaheim and Vancouver play a two game series in Nagano, Japan as a lead in to the Winter Olympics.
On Oct 26, Wayne Gretzky records in 1,851st career assist,giving him more helpers then any other NHL'er in history has total points.
On Nov 8th Washington's Phil Housley becomes the fifth defenseman to join the 1,000 point club.
On Dec 14th, Phoenix winger Mike Gartner becomes the 5th player in NHL history to score 700 goals.
Jari Kurri (Colorado) and Dino Ciccarelli (Florida) become the 8th and 9th players in NHL history to score 600 points.
On Dec 27th, Florida goalie Jon Vanbiesbrouck becomes only the 2nd US born goalie to record 300 wins, joining Tom Barrasso.
After a lengthy holdout, Paul Kariya returns to Anaheim, and is named the January player of the month, only to be knocked out for the season on Feb 1st with a concussion.
The NHL suspends play for 2 weeks in February so its stars can play in the Olympics.
In upsets in the Olympics, Canada and Team USA are shut out of the medals.
Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek leads the Czech Republic to Olympic Gold with a win over Russia.
The U.S woman's hockey team defeats Canada to win the Gold Medal.
The Carolina Hurricanes tender a multi-million dollar contract offer sheet to free agent holdout Sergei Fedorov, sparking the Red Wings to ink their Russian superstar to a new deal.
With a gaa of 1.89 Devil's goaltender Martin Brodeur wins his second straight William's Jennings Trophy.
Six NHL'ers put up their 1,000's point, Adam Oates, Phil Housley, and Dale Hunter of the caps, Pat Lafontaine of the Rangers, Luc Robataille of the Kings, and Al MacInnis of the Blues.
Mark Messier of Vancouver, and Ron Francis of Pittsburgh notch their 1000's assist.
Penguins Jaromir Jagr grabs his second scoring title and is the only 100 point scorer in the NHL with 35 goals and 102 points.
With Joe Nieuwendyk leading all Canadians born scorers with 39 goals, the Stars finish first in the NHL with a 49-22-11 record.
Following a 0-7 start,Chicago gets 31 goals from both Tony Amonte and Eric Daze, but they miss the playoffs for the first time in 29 years.
Colorado's Peter Forsberg finishes second in scoring with 91 points, and Patrick Roy wins 31 games as the Avalanche win the Pacific Division with a 39-26-17 record.
The Oilers acquire Billy Guerin from New Jersey and take third in the Pacific.
A late season surge cannot catapult the offensively starved Flames to the playoffs.
Even a tremendous season from Pavel Bure with 51 goals and 90 points cannot keep the trade torn Canucks from finishing last in the Pacific.
The Devils take the Eastern Conference with 107 points.
John LeClair becomes the first U.S. born player to notch 3 straight 50 goal seasons, as the Flyers finish 2nd in the Eastern Conference.
Wasting a brilliant 90 point season by Wayne Gretzky, the Rangers fall to 5th in the Eastern Division.
Tampa Bay finishes last overall in the NHL with 17 wins.
Playing the neutral zone trap, the Penguins take top spot in the North East Division with 40 wins.
Buffalo unites behind Dominik Hasek and take third in the Northeast.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the only team in the Northeast to not make thei playoffs in the first year in Carolina.
In the Eastern Conference quarterfinals major upsets see Ottawa stun New Jersey in 6, Buffalo tears Philly apart in 5, Montreal takes out Pittsburgh in 6, and Washinton takes out the Bruins in 6.
In the Western Quarterfinals, Edmonton upsets the Avs in 7, Dallas takes San Jose in 6, Detroit douses the Coyotes in 6, and Chicago sweeps the Kings.
In the Eastern semis, the Caps knock off the Senators in 5, and the Sabres sweep Montreal.
The Western Conference semis see Detroit slamming St Louis in 6, and Detroit avenges its 1997 playoff loss to Edmonton in 5 games.
In the Stanley Cup semifinals, Washington knocks out the Sabres in 6, and the Red Wings shut down Dallas in 6.
Detroit takes the first two games over Washington in the Cup finals.
Detroit takes game three 2-1.
Detroit takes game 4 4-1 for their second straight finals sweep.
Red Wings Captain Steve Yzerman leads all playoff scorers with 24 points, he wins the Conn Smythe.
Buffalo's Dominik Hasek is the first goalie to win the Vezina, the Pearson and the Hart Trophy for two years in a row.
Rob Blake of the King's wins the Norris.
Ron Francis of Pittsburgh wins his second Lady Byng.
Boston Rookie Sergei Samsonov wins the Calder.
Dallas Star Jere Lehtinen grabs the Selke Trophy.
Two years after a life threatening illness Blue's goalie Jamie McLennan wins the Masterton.
Boston coach Pat Burns takes his third Jack Adams.
Coming from a staunch defender of the 80s cheese that holds a special place in my heart, that '98 Finals montage song is the worst thing I've ever heard associated with sports. Who, or what is it?
Well, tomorrows entry and the start of the next century will be the last one that I do for a bit, after doing 82 of these I need a bit of a break. Its an interesting fluke that tomorrows, covers the end of the career of Wayne Gretzky.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
As the world hovered around the coming of a new century, and the aspect of the Y2K computer deadline ticked closer to midnight, the NHL was going through changes. Mario Lemieux had retired, the NHL had lost its offensive lustre, and the Dallas Stars would hoist the Stanley Cup after a controversial triple overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. But even more significant was that as the century came to a close, the career of the single greatest player in the history of the NHL came to a close.
After 20 years in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky decided to hang up his skates. On April 18, 1999 the man simply known as the "Great One" played his last game, a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins where he notched the final point of his career in the Ranger's lone goal. Gretzky then bid a fond farewell, to a packed house at New York's Madison Square Gardens and to the millions more watching on TV.
Sadly for Gretzky and the New York fans who had gotten to see the best in the business play for the last 3 seasons of his brilliant career, the Rangers had failed to make the playoffs for the last two years. At 38 years old, Gretzky was past his prime and he knew it.
Gretzky walked away from the game holding 61 NHL scoring records, some of his achievements ranged from mind boggling to unbeatable.
He was the greatest setup man the game had ever seen, finishing with 1,963 career assists. To put this into perspective Gordie Howe who was in second all time in NHL scoring had 113 fewer total points then Gretzky had assists.
When the final buzzer sounded and the book closed on Gretzky's magic, his NHL totals included 894 regular season goals, and 2,857 points, 93 goals and 1,007 points ahead of the second place Howe. Among his records he had the most career goals, assists, points, assists per game (1.32), hat tricks (50), 40 goal seasons (12), 100 point seasons (15) and consecutive 100 point seasons (13), as well as points scoring streak (51 consecutive games).
A winner of 4 Stanley Cups in 5 years with the Oilers in the early 80's, Gretzky was a true Champion and one of the rare few like Orr, Howe, Shore who changed the game and face of hockey. When Gretzky was traded to L.A., he revitalized the popularity of a dying team, and made it possible to open markets in Anaheim, and other U.S. franchises.
Never the fastest, or strongest, he had a deceptively weak slap shot, but he had an innate instinct for open spots and the net, he was impossible to hit, and always seemed to arrive to where the puck was going.
Upon his retirement, his jersey number, 99 was retired league wide, and the Hockey Hall of Fame like they did with Mario Lemieux voted to waive the customary 3 year waiting period and added Gretzky to its legendary rolls right away.
Trivia
The NHL grows to 27 teams as the Nashville Predators take to the ice.
The NHL introduces the Maurice Richard Trophy, give to the player that leads the league in goals.
On Jan 7, in a 4-2 gome win over Buffalo Luc Robitaille scores his 300th goal becoming the 27th player to reach the mark.
In January, Flyers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck shuts out the Islanders, Hurricanes (partial game), Predators and Capitals in successive appearances.
On Jan 12th, former 1st overall pick Doug Wiekenheiser 37, who played 10 years in the NHL loses his 5 year battle to cancer.
On Feb 5, in Detroit, Patrick Roy, 33 becomes the youngest goalie in NHL history to reach 400 wins.
On Feb 13, more then 67 years after opening, Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens hosts its final NHL game a 6-2 win over the Black Hawks.
On March 29, Wayne Gretzky scores the 1,072 goal of his career surpassing Gordie Howe for the all-time NHL/WHA record.
The Stars win the PResidents Trophy with a 51-19-12 record.
Colorado finishes atop of the North West Division with a 44-28-10 record, boasting the 4th and 5th overall scorers, Peter Forsberg (97) and Joe Sakic (86).
Despite playing most of the year without Doug Weight, the Oilers earn the last playoff spot in the Western Conference finishing at 33-37-12.
Calgary Flames defenseman, Phil Housley becomes the all-time leading scorer among Americans.
Calgary trades disgruntled winger Theo Fleury and Chris Dingman to the Avalanche for Wade Belek, the rights to Robyn Regher and a 2nd round pick in 2000 that ends up being Jarrett Stoll.
The demoralized Flames miss the playoffs by 8 points, as the Flames disassemble their team.
Mark Messier 600th goal is lost in the morass of a losing season, as the Canucks end up trading Pavel Bure to Florida in a multi player deal.
The Red Wings finish on top of the Central Division at 43-32-7.
The first year Nashville Predators are surprisingly competitor finishing at 28-47-7 thanks to Cliff Ronning''s 60 points and Segei Krivokrasov's 25 goals.
The Devils take top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Eric Lindros scores 93 in 71 games as he suffers a collapsed lung late in the season, but the Flyers mange to take 2nd place in the Atlantic with a 37-26-19 record.
The Penguins follow NHL Scoring champ Jaromir Jagr (44-83-127) to a 38-30-14 records, but injuries decimate the lineup and bankruptcy threatens the team's future.
The Rangers fail to make the playoffs for a second straight season, despite 38 goals and 62 points by Wayne Gretzky in his last season.
Management turmoil complicates a already shaky season in Long Islanders the Islanders win 24 games.
John Spanos swindles his way to a $166 million dollar ownership bid for the Islanders, but the deal falls apart when he can't meat the payments. Spanos plead guilty to fraud charges and later serves 71 months in prison.
The Sens prove their for real, and take the Northeast Division with a 44-23-15 on Alexi Yashin's 94 points and Ron Tugnutt's league leading 1.79 gaa.
The Canadians facing financial hardship, unloads stars Mark Recchi and Vincent Damphousse and end up out of the playoffs.
After missing the playoffs for 6 years, the Carolina Hurricanes take the weak Southeast division with a 34-30-18 record.
The mid season trade of Pavel Bure doesn't help the Panthers who miss the playoffs.
A year after a trip to the finals, the Washington Capitals miss the playoffs, late in the year they unload Dale Hunter, Joe Juneau and Craig Berube.
In the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Pittsburgh dethrones New Jersey in 7, Buffalo hammers Ottawa in 4, The Bruins tame the Hurricanes in 6 and and the Leafs ground the Flyers in 6.
In the Western Quarterfinals, The Stars whip the Oilers in 4, The Avalanche spear the Sharks in 6, Detroit plucks the Ducks in 4, and St Louis wins three straight to beat Phoenix in 7.
In the Eastern Semis, Toronto beats Pittsburgh in 6, Buffalo beats Boston in 6.
In the Western Semis, Dallas rolls over St. Louis in 6, Colorado edges Detroit in 6.
Continuing their amazing post season run, the Sabres knock off the LEafs in 5 games to go to the Finals for the first time since 1975.
The Stars endure a gruelling series against Avalanche, and win in 7.
Buffalo stuns the Dallas crowd by beating the Stars 3-2 in game 1.
The Stars win game 2 4-2 and game 3 2-1.
After dropping game 4 2-1, Dallas wins game 5 2-0.
With the Cup in reach, Dallas outlasts Buffalo 2-1 in the third overtime to capture their first Stanley Cup. Brett Hull playing with a bad groin and knee injury scores the winning goal.
Dallas centre Joe Nieuwendyk sets a playoff record with 6 game winning goals and wins the Conn Smythe.
Jaromir Jagr wins the Art Ross trophy as the leagues leading scorer.
John Cullen of Tampa Bay wins the Masterton Trophy.
Chris Drury of the Colorado Avalanche takes the Calder Trophy.
Jere Lehtinen wins the Selke Trophy for the second straight year.
Jaromir Jagr wins the Lester B Pearson, and Hart Trophy.
Jacques Martin of Ottawa wins the Adams Trophy.
Al MacInnis of St. Louis wins the Norris Trophy.
Wayne Gretzky wins the final Lady Byng of his career.
Teemu Selanne of the Ducks wins the first Rocket Richard Trophy.
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