1975-76: Phil Esposito Traded

The Three Stars:

Espo Traded To Arch-Rival New York Rangers - In an unthinkable trade the Boston Bruins trade goal scoring machine Phil Esposito to their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers. Espo was traded with Carol Vadnais and Joe Zanussi for Jean Ratelle and Brad Park. Esposito may have been the most surprised of all, confessing that the rivalry taught him to hate the Rangers. Espo would never put up the same numbers but he would fall in love with New York, and New York with the outspoken star.

Montreal Ends Philadelphia's Reign of Terror - The brawling Broad Street Bullies make it back to the their third consecutive Stanley Cup final but, in a mild upset, are swept by the Montreal Canadiens. It was dubbed as "good vs. evil" final, as Montreal favored artistry over mayhem, though players like Larry Robinson answer the bell. It is the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships for the Habs.


Perfect 10 - Darryl Sittler of Toronto scores 6 goals and 10 points in an 11-4 win over Boston - an untouched NHL record. Furthermore he adds another 5 goal game in the Stanley Cup playoffs!



Season Highlights

• The Flyers may not have won the Stanley Cup, but they had a heck of a year, finishing 51-13-16. Bobby Clarke had 119 points and wins his third Hart Trophy. Bill Barber scores 50 goals. Reggie Leach leads all goal scorers with 61 and adds a NHL record 19 in the Stanley Cup playoffs, taking home the Conn Smythe trophy in a losing effort. Goaltender Wayne Stephenson wins 40 games as Bernie Parent misses much of the season with a scary eye injury.
• Marcel Dionne is traded from Detroit to Los Angeles for Dan Maloney, Terry Harper and a draft pick. Dionne would go on to become the highest scoring player in Los Angeles Kings history.
• Denis Potvin wins the Norris trophy, snapping the 8 year reign of the injured Bobby Orr. Potvin finished 2nd in Hart trophy balloting, too. 
• Guy Lafleur wins the NHL scoring title with 125 points including 56 goals.
• In the WHA Quebec's Marc Tardif leads the WHA in goals (71), assists (77) and points (148). 
• Bobby Hull leads the Winnipeg Jets to the WHA championship, scoring 53 goals and 123 points along the way.