Historical "What If" -- No Europeans
 

I got to thinking, what if the NHL never had an influx of European players, and North Americans were the only players in the league?

I will be beginning in 1972-73, and tracking the progress of the league as I eliminate Europeans from the game every year.

1972-73
This season is pretty standard, as the abolishing of European influence really takes no affect. A few players, namely Thommie Bergman and Juha Widing, are eliminated from the Red Wings and Kings, but other than that, no teams are really any different than from in real life.

Some big trades included Toronto acquiring young Billy Smith from the Islanders for Lyle Moffat and Dale Smedsmo. The Leafs also made another big trade, this time with Chicago. They swapped Summit Series team mates Bill White and Ron Ellis. Montreal acquired veteran Tim Horton from Buffalo for young goalie Michel Plasse. At the deadline, Montreal moved out Rejean Houle and Michel Deguise to Detroit for Denis DeJordy and Brian Watts.

Standings
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Stats
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Playoffs
In Round 1, we have two Original Six matchups in the East Division, with Montreal playing the Rangers, and Boston and Toronto facing off. In the West Division, Philly plays California, and Chicago draws the North Stars.

Montreal is taken to 6 games by the Rangers, but they prevail over a crippled blueline, missing Brad Park to injury, despite Gilbert and Hadfield each contributing 8 points. Boston does the same to Toronto, who was led by Keon with 9 points in 6 games. Philadelphia beat out California in 5 games, and Chicago eliminated Minnesota in 6 games.

In Round 2, the Canadiens faced off against the Hawks, and the Flyers met the Bruins. Montreal knocked off Chicago in 5 games, and the Bruins beat out the young Flyers in 6 games.

In the final, the defending champion Bruins met the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs defeat the Bruins in 4 games, making short work of them. Leading the way was Marc Tardif, who scored 13 goals in just 15 playoff games.

Awards
Hart - Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins
Smythe - Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Vezina - Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens
Norris - Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Calder - Billy Harris, New York Islanders
Richard - Rick MacLeish, Philadelphia Flyers
Selke - Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
Ross - Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
Jennings - Eddie Johnston, Boston Bruins
Plus/Minus - John Bucyk, Boston Bruins
Crozier - Roy Edwards, Detroit Red Wings

1973-74
In the off-season, Bobby Hull signs with the Montreal Canadiens. Los Angeles drafts Denis Potvin, Vancouver takes Lanny McDonald, and Lysiak goes to the Golden Seals.

Trades wise, Gary Smith and a 5th are sent to Detroit for Red Berenson. Los Angeles nabs Steve Shutt and Claude LaRose for Paul Curtis, Gary Edwards and a 4th from Montreal. The Sabres sent out Don Luce and Denis Patry to the Rangers for Curt Bennett and Pete McDuffe. Toronto sent out veterans Paul Henderson and Jacques Plante to Philadelphia in exchange for Bill Clement and Bob Fitchner. Pittsburgh acquired Lorne Henning from Minnesota for Gilles Gilbert. The Bruins sent Don Awrey to Atlanta for John Davidson.

Standings
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Stats
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Playoffs

In Round 1, the Bruins knock off the Sabres in 6 games, and the Flyers sweep their Pennsylvania rivals. Chicago sweeps Minnesota, beating them out of the playoffs yet again. Montreal goes up 3-0 on Toronto before losing the series in 7 games to a resilient Maple Leaf club.

In Round 2, the Flyers once again sweep, this time taking out the East's top club, the Boston Bruins. The tired Leafs are beaten in 5 games by a well rested Black Hawks team.

In the Cup Finals, the Black Hawks defeat the Flyers in 6 games in a tight battle. The Flyers led 2-1, but the Hawks came back to win 3 in a row, clinching with a 6-5 OT win on a goal from Chico Maki.

Awards
Hart - Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Smythe - Jim Pappin, Chicago Black Hawks
Vezina - Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens
Norris - Pat Stapleton, Chicago Black Hawks
Calder - Tom Lysiak, California Golden Seals
Selke - Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
Richard - Frank Mahovlich, Montreal Canadiens
Ross - Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks
Plus/Minus - Pat Stapleton, Chicago Black Hawks
Crozier - Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks
Jennings - Gilles Villemure, Chicago Black Hawks