When it comes to NHL history, the most memorable era was the league’s first decade, when it consisted of the six teams that comprise the hockey original 6. These are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. This is the era that gave us the legends of Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr. The era that brought us the great Stanley Cup finals of 1948, 1949 and 1952. The era that spawned the iconic fights between Orr and Gordie Howe and the Maple Leafs and Canadiens clashes of 1950 and 1952.
This is a storied time in the history of the game and it is one that many of today’s fans only know about from books or old films. During this period it was not easy to be a professional athlete, both off and on the ice. It was not uncommon for a player to be sent to the minors for fighting or for an off-ice argument with a teammate. It was a rough and tumble business, but it also had some of the most entertaining moments in sports history.
During this time the Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Blackhawks were all dominant. Each team won the Cup at least twice in their original decade and the Rangers made the finals three times. It was only when the NHL expanded to 12 teams in 1967 that the era really came to an end.
After expansion, the Rangers and Red Wings struggled a bit, while the Blackhawks continued to be a force in the NHL. They won a total of five Cups during this time and their success paved the way for several other clubs that have since been successful in the league.
The other thing that is often forgotten about the era of the Original Six is how much it changed the way the modern NHL operates. The playoff structure, the four-round format and the elimination of divisions are all a result of the NHL being founded in 1917. These changes would not have happened had the NHL not been shortened to six teams when the Brooklyn Americans folded in 1942 and World War II broke out.
This is a very interesting time in the history of the NHL and one that has helped shape this great game we love so much today. Hopefully, the current economic problems do not cause the league to shrink to six teams again. It could give the game a boost and make it easier for fans to focus on last night’s game instead of worrying about who is going to be the next team to relocate or when the CBA will expire.