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What if…: Someone wrote an alternate reality based on a "What if?" question?
Ok, so this isn't a true "What if...?" as I'm not presenting a new scenario today. Rather, I want to take people back to a blog written last week that posed the question "What if Calgary drafted Martin Brodeur instead of Trevor Kidd?"(click
here to check out the scenario as originally written). The responses to this question were great to take a look at as everyone engaged in a really inquisitive debate over the possibilities had this have happened for all the parties involved (Flames, Devils, Leafs, Brodeur, Kidd, Potvin, balance of power in the Eastern/Western conferences).
But there are always a few in the crowd who take it to the extreme! In this case it made for a really interesting read, with Hockeybuzz reader Hicks76 presenting an extensive revised history of what might have happened had this hypothetical situation actuually happened. You may or may not agree with it's viability, but you can't dispute the quality of the piece or the effort put into it!! So having Hicks76's permission I wanted to share this look at what the past 19 years might have looked like had the Flames drafted Brodeur instead of Kidd. This is nothing short of a "Penthouse Forum" letter for Leafs fans!!
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Goalies are, of course, the most difficult to draft, and as we saw in the 90's (and the 20's and 30's, if you were around then), certain styles of play lend to goalies having exceptional numbers. However, talent is talent and it will shine, no matter what the circumstances. Let's see... but I have a feeling this is going to look VERY different than what you had in mind originally!
So, the Flames trade up to the # 11 spot in 1990 and stun a few scouts by not taking the Wheaties' workhorse, Trevor Kidd, but instead select St. Hyacinthe Laser standout Martin Brodeur. Word spreads around the draft that while putting up some decent numbers in the net, Kidd's attitude might not be the best. At the 19th slot, the Winnipeg Jets decide to draft the Manitoban tender. The Devils, who were planning on taking a goalie anyway, decide to opt for the other Quebecois goalie of note, Chicoutimi's Felix Potvin, who worked even more minutes than Kidd. The Leafs, holders of veteran Grant Fuhr, also need to restock the goalie cupboard but don't get a chance until much later, taking European prospect Roman Turek.
The first focus is, of course, on Brodeur because we know what he did as a Devil, but what would be different as a Flame? I'm betting we'll never know... Early in his career, Brodeur seemed to have a little trouble with his 5-hole as his butterfly style wasn't perfected yet. The Flames, who were still quite content with hometown boy Mike Vernon in net, weren't entirely thrilled with Brodeur's middling performance in a call-up, especially when Kidd was off winning a Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs and Potvin was named that tournament's best goalie with the Sagueneens. The Leafs were in need of a shakeup (and, still, a goalie) and former Flames GM Cliff Fletcher picked up the phone. The result was the largest trade in terms of player movement in NHL history (and from history's perspective, easily one of the most lopsided):
To CGY: Gary Leeman, Alexander Godynyuk, Michel Petit, Craig Berube, Jeff Reese, Mike Bullard, Leafs 2nd Rd. Pick 1992
To TOR: Doug Gilmour, Ric Nattress, Jamie Macoun, Kent Manderville, Martin Brodeur, CGY's 6th Rd. Pick 1992
The rest is, as they say, history... Gilmour became the star the team needed, but when Fuhr went down with an injury, the Leafs looked to give this Brodeur kid, his pathetic attempt at a moustache that he sported at the draft a distant memory, a shot. Toronto's defense was now about as good as any team's in the league, but when they were beaten, the young goalie would make some spectacular saves. Granted, the 5-hole issue was still there, but some coaching and encouragement from the veteran Fuhr was taking care of that. Unfortunately for Fuhr, however, Brodeur put on a show in the playoffs, helping the team all the way to the Conference Finals in 1992. Alas, the team lost a tight series against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Toronto net was now unquestionably Brodeur's place. Fuhr was subsequently traded to the Sabres for Dave Andreychuk and goalie Darren Puppa, who would serve as a slightly more reliable backup for the youngster (besides, the Sabres were quite happy with their new young goalie, Dominik Hasek, who despite looking amazing for the Hawks in Game 4 of the Finals, was had for the princely sum of Stephan Beauregard and a 4th Rd. Pick. FOR REAL).
The Leafs went on a tear the likes of which their fans hadn't seen in decades, rocketing to the 100 point plateau while Brodeur played in over 60 games and became a fan favourite on a team of favourites. Brodeur's confidence grew as the Leafs' top 4 defensemen gave him ample room to develop. While some weaknesses were exposed in that defense in the first round of the playoffs against the powerful Red Wings, Brodeur outshone Wings goalie Tim Cheveldae as the Leafs moved on. The Blues and college standout Curtis Joseph were no match as the Leafs won the series in 5. Well rested, they next faced the upstart LA Kings and a hungry Wayne Gretzky. Again, the offense came fast and furious, but Brodeur stopped almost everything thrown at him, even though he was occasionally victimized by Gretzky (but who wasn't... not Doug Gilmour! Oh, wait, that doesn't happen here...). The Leafs stop the Kings again in 5 and find themselves in a dream matchup against their oldest rival, the Montreal Canadiens and Brodeur's boyhood idol, Patrick Roy. The media feeds on the fact that Brodeur grew up in the Forum, watching Roy win Cups while his father took photos. If the world didn't know about Brodeur before, they sure did now... the Leafs took the first two games on Forum ice as Brodeur looked as calm as someone who'd been there before and was subsequently unaffected by all the history. Their backs to the wall, the Habs take Game 3 but with the Leafs putting on a offensive show, the series goes back to Montreal with the Leafs up 3-1. The Habs throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Leafs in Game 5, but Brodeur seems to feed off of the energy of the building and stops it all. Gilmour pots the winner like he did in Calgary and the Leafs do what only one visiting team before them has ever done: win a Cup in the Montreal Forum, and the cameras capture Denis Brodeur, the photographer, applauding as his son takes his victory lap with the Cup in the building he grew up in.
After losing Puppa in the expansion draft, the Leafs bring up their young Czech prospect, Roman Turek, to basically watch and learn as Brodeur plays 70 games that season, winning 48 and breaking Bernie Parent's record for wins in a season. He also posts an increase in shutouts with 8. They pass the Wings for first in the Conference, but are behind two other teams in the standings: the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils (with an intriguing goalie of their own), who end up battling to a 2nd OT in Game 7 of the Semis with the Rangers emerging victorious to face the Leafs in the Finals (the Canucks, despite the play of Kirk McLean, are unable to best a much more confident and poised Brodeur). The Leafs still have Glenn Anderson, who was an integral part of their first Cup, but the Rangers have almost every other Oiler not named Gretzky, Kurri or Fuhr (maybe they have Lindros? ) and a lot of the third liners that helped Chicago to the Finals two seasons prior. This Original 6 battle goes 7 games, but despite Brodeur's best efforts and two goals by Gilmour, Mark Messier pots the winner as the Rangers end their Cup drought, just as the Leafs did the season prior. The loss stings Brodeur and, despite losing half of the season due to a lockout, the Leafs keep sharp and outplay Detroit again (now with former Flame Mike Vernon) to make their third Finals... against the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils have been playing an unusual ultra-defensive style of hockey under coach Jacques Lemaire, and the primary beneficiary is their young goalie, Felix Potvin. Ever since his record setting season with the AHL's Utica Devils, Potvin has been a fixture in the Devils' net, using his spectacular reflexes to make timely saves when called upon, but doing so in relative anonymity. His stellar performance against the Rangers was noticed, but much of the credit for the Devils' play has been laid at the feet of their d-men, Stevens and Niedermayer. Potvin turned heads this short season by posting 8 shutouts in his 23 wins; a combination of his natural ability and the teams' lockdown style. The Finals are a goaltenders' duel, with the advantage going to the Devils as the Leafs forwards can barely get a shot on Potvin and the ones they do end up in his super-fast glove. Despite Brodeur only allowing 6 goals in 4 games, the Leafs are swept by the Devils, Potvin registering three consecutive shutouts and keeping the Leafs off the scoresheet until Game 4. The media tears the team apart and by the next season, the confidence the team had is gone. The Leafs' defense has aged to the point where they are allowing a lot more shots Brodeur's way. He continues to win, but by smaller margins and his shutout ratio drops. The coach tries to reduce his workload, but he is bothered by this, wondering what the future has in store for him. Word gets out Brodeur is unhappy, and in the off-season, players are moved and a new coach, Vancouver's former boss Pat Quinn, is hired. His first job is to patch things up with Brodeur, and a new deal comes from President Ken Dryden to keep Brodeur in Blue and White for the next decade. The Leafs endure a few middling seasons, but Brodeur always posts 30+ wins. His shutout totals are average at best. By now, Turek has departed for St. Louis and the Leafs keep a steady stream of journeymen in place to warm the bench while Brodeur does his thing. The Leafs keep making the playoffs, but can't seem to get past the second round until 2001 when their roster of vets and rookies rides Brodeur to a Cup Final against Detroit and superstar goalie Hasek. Brodeur sees this as a challenge and a chance to restore Canada's pride after the shootout loss to Hasek and the Czechs in the 1998 Olympics (which Brodeur was the goalie in, Potvin as the backup... Roy refused to go if he couldn't start every game). The Leafs are successful and Brodeur earns the Conn Smythe and most likely the starters' job in Salt Lake City in 2002. His partner, once again, is Potvin.
Potvin seemed to play his best when he was The Man (instead of just The Cat), and in New Jersey, no one came close. While the hockey world decried the Devils' game plan, Potvin just kept winning games. His numbers were often better than both Brodeur's and Roy's and he earned his second Cup and first Conn Smythe by outdueling Roy and the newly relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1996. Potvin's modest demeanour was perfect for a team like New Jersey, who put the team above the individual. Once the Devils added some offense in 2000, and continued to homegrow defensive players, Potvin surpassed the 50 Win mark and tied Tony Esposito's SO mark of 15 on his way to his first Hart trophy and third Stanley Cup. Since his reign as starter was never in doubt, Potvin achieved his full potential in the Devils' system and he also took advantage of both the team and the era in which he played. Never before in NHL history had four goaltenders (Brodeur, Potvin, Roy and Hasek) so dominated the league.
Under coach Quinn, Brodeur and Potvin insist on alternating at the 2002 Olympics, with Potvin acceding the Gold Medal game to Brodeur as Denis Brodeur won an Olympic Bronze medal as a goalie in 1956. The day is won, and they return to their teams. They meet in the Conference Finals in 2003, with Potvin's Devils outlasting the Leafs in 6. Critical injuries, including one to Potvin, prevent the Devils from returning in 2004, but the Leafs charge in to face the Cinderella Calgary Flames. On the bench, backing up Brodeur, is none other than Trevor Kidd (his story in a sec). The Flames, the team that originally drafted Brodeur, puts up a great fight, but the Leafs win out in a seventh game, earning Brodeur his third Cup and second Vezina trophy.
Despite the wishes of Montreal fans, the Quebec goalies never do get a chance to play for their home town. Brodeur is so beloved by Leaf Nation, the idea of him playing in bleu, blanc et rouge is unstomachable (this is why Doug Gilmour was rescued from the Habs in 2003). He takes his place as the third great Leaf "B" Goalie: Broda, Bower and Brodeur. The Devils show Potvin nothing but respect, and even as the Trap is phased out and the defence stars age or are dealt away, Potvin continues to win and still posts a very high shutout-to-win ratio (this is not entirely fantasy: check out Potvin's shutouts vs. his wins, even in Boston!). Felix never contemplates leaving the Swamp and he and Brodeur once again form an unshakable tandem at the Olympics in 2006, bailing out a seemingly uninterested Canadian team to carry them to Gold once again, with Potvin earning the start in the final game. Both continue to play into their late 30's... Brodeur does have his 500th win, but a few average Leaf seasons cut into the totals; he and Roy are very close, as is Hasek, but it's Potvin who reaches Sawchuk's records first. His totals drop off more drastically as the Devils weaken, but his years of consistency and defensive help more than make him the leader numerically speaking. All of them finish in the Top 5 for wins, and Top 10 for SO's, making the 1990's-mid 2000's the Years of the Goalies; much as people think about forwards like Gretzky, Messier, Lemieux and Yzerman, many wonder if the league will see the likes of these goalies ever again, especially all at once.
So what about Trevor Kidd? It's certainly not all bad... playing for his "hometown" Jets was a dream come true and Kidder embraced it. He was a hero to many young Manitobans, and while there were whispers of the pressure of playing so close to home getting to him with some of his off-season antics, he continued to give the Jets a stability in goal which they lacked. Then, the worst possible thing that could have happened to him happened: the Jets were being moved to Phoenix. In their final season, signs of Kidd's play being affected were showing as the team had to turn to his young Russian understudy, Nikolai Khabibulin, more frequently. By the time they got to Phoenix, Kidd's play was seriously in the tank; his heart just didn't seem to be in it. He was subsequently dealt to the team geographically closest to Winnipeg: Calgary. For a time, he ran with it, but the team was in full rebuilding mode and after a couple of seasons, he was dealt to Carolina. This didn't suit him at all and he found himself needing help at times keeping his spirits up. Eventually losing his starters' job to Arturs Irbe, Kidd drifted around the league, ending up as a backup to the goalie drafted a few spots ahead of him, Martin Brodeur. Although he never saw any action in the playoffs or Cup finals, Kidd found he enjoyed the team and the players and that he didn't mind being out of the spotlight. He retired after the Cup win, still relatively young, believing that it wouldn't get any better than that and that was fine with him.
Now, before you all accuse me of smoking banana peels or snorting lemon Pledge, I can tell you it's not true... I'm at work and I'm not allowed. It's just 2:45 AM FST (Flatlander Standard Time) and I wanted to engage in a bit of revisionist history. Is it really so hard to picture this happening? If you actually read this and enjoyed it, let me know... I'm not trying to be a windbag, I just like hockey and telling a good story.
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You weren't a windbag at all Hicks! It was a great story and exceptionally creative. Based on the feedback it got originally, I'm not the only one who felt that way!!
Have a great weekend folks and we"ll see you on Monday!
Cheers!
Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Twitter: ShawnHockeybuzz
Facebook: Shawn Gates
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Remember to visit
www.hockeyden.net, watch the 08-09 Be A Player box break, and enter to win your choice of any card from the break (one that's LOADED with autographs)! Contest end this Saturday (August 9, 2009) at midnight so enter soon!
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