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
Stats
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