Comments on: Boston Bruins have the edge in all-time matchup with the Vancouver Canucks

By: deepthreat

deepthreat — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:51:49 +0000

There is a reason for that…

In the Original Six era, every team had exclusive rights to any player within a 50 mile radius of their city. That means that the Canadiens and Maple Leaves had first pick of the best Canadiens – and any blue chip prospect’s parents made sure that their son was within the 50 miles of Montreal at signing to time to make sure they would play for the Canadiens. The Bruins on the other hand, had exclusive rights to players from Framingham, MA.

The Canadiens and Maple Leaves DOMINATED with that advantage.

Detroit won a few cups because they had some territory in Canada and the owner also had control over the Rangers and Bruins – making sure that his Red Wings got the better of any deals between those teams. For example, Gordie Howe tried out for the Rangers, but was cut so the Red Wings could sign him.

The league was rigged and I can’t believe the other teams went along with it.

The rule was in place until the 60s, so the Canadiens reaped the benfits well into the 1970′s – right about when their “dynasty” came to an end.

By: pucknbeans

pucknbeans — Mon, 30 May 2011 03:08:06 +0000

I know it will be especially satisfying to Cam Neely, if we beat the Canucks. We stole him in one of Harry Sinden’s all-time greatest trades from Vancouver.

By: florida76

florida76 — Sat, 28 May 2011 21:09:51 +0000

The all time records between the Canucks and Bruins really aren’t much of a surprise, we must remember the huge advantage the Original Six had in competing against the expansion group from the 60s an 70s. Teams like the Canucks were several decades behind in development, and stars like Orr were nowhere to be found. The success of the 74-75 Flyers was remarkable, as was the great run of the Islander teams a little later.

A bigger story would be the struggles of Original Six teams like Boston, Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Since the first wave of expansion in 67-68, those clubs have combined for only four Cups, which is difficult to believe after all these years. That output is actually less than the combined total of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.