2024-2025 Boston Bruins
- Thread starter Beers
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One of the most transformative trades in Boston Bruins history occurred on May 15, 1967, when the Bruins acquired Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield from the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Pit Martin, Gilles Marotte, and Jack Norris. This deal is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that reshaped the Bruins into a dominant force in the NHL.
Phil Esposito emerged as a superstar in Boston. While he had shown promise in Chicago, it was with the Bruins that he truly flourished. Esposito became the first NHL player to score over 100 points in a season, achieving this feat six times. In the 1970–71 season, he set a then-record with 76 goals and 152 points, leading the league in goals six times and in points five times during his tenure with Boston. His contributions were instrumental in the Bruins' Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972 .
Ken Hodge also significantly elevated his performance after joining the Bruins. He became a key member of Boston's top line, contributing to the team's offensive prowess. In the 1970–71 season, Hodge recorded 105 points, finishing fourth in league scoring, as the Bruins' top four scorers led the NHL that year .
Fred Stanfield provided depth and consistency, centering the Bruins' second line and playing a crucial role on the power play. He scored 20 or more goals in each of his six seasons with Boston and was known for his sportsmanship and reliability. Stanfield's contributions were vital to the Bruins' offensive success during this period .
On the other side of the trade, Pit Martin became a standout player for the Black Hawks, earning four consecutive All-Star selections and recording a career-high 90 points in the 1972–73 season . Gilles Marotte had a solid NHL career, playing for multiple teams over 13 seasons . Jack Norris served primarily as a backup goaltender during his time in the league.
This trade is often cited as one of the most lopsided in NHL history, heavily favoring the Bruins. It not only brought immediate success, including two Stanley Cup championships, but also laid the foundation for the Bruins' sustained excellence in the following decades. The acquisition of Esposito, Hodge, and Stanfield transformed Boston into a perennial contender and left an indelible mark on the franchise's legacy.
Phil Esposito emerged as a superstar in Boston. While he had shown promise in Chicago, it was with the Bruins that he truly flourished. Esposito became the first NHL player to score over 100 points in a season, achieving this feat six times. In the 1970–71 season, he set a then-record with 76 goals and 152 points, leading the league in goals six times and in points five times during his tenure with Boston. His contributions were instrumental in the Bruins' Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972 .
Ken Hodge also significantly elevated his performance after joining the Bruins. He became a key member of Boston's top line, contributing to the team's offensive prowess. In the 1970–71 season, Hodge recorded 105 points, finishing fourth in league scoring, as the Bruins' top four scorers led the NHL that year .
Fred Stanfield provided depth and consistency, centering the Bruins' second line and playing a crucial role on the power play. He scored 20 or more goals in each of his six seasons with Boston and was known for his sportsmanship and reliability. Stanfield's contributions were vital to the Bruins' offensive success during this period .
On the other side of the trade, Pit Martin became a standout player for the Black Hawks, earning four consecutive All-Star selections and recording a career-high 90 points in the 1972–73 season . Gilles Marotte had a solid NHL career, playing for multiple teams over 13 seasons . Jack Norris served primarily as a backup goaltender during his time in the league.
This trade is often cited as one of the most lopsided in NHL history, heavily favoring the Bruins. It not only brought immediate success, including two Stanley Cup championships, but also laid the foundation for the Bruins' sustained excellence in the following decades. The acquisition of Esposito, Hodge, and Stanfield transformed Boston into a perennial contender and left an indelible mark on the franchise's legacy.
Stan Jonathan wasn’t just tough—he was a wrecking ball in skates. At just 5'8", he didn’t tower over anyone, but it didn’t matter. What made him legendary was the way he used every inch of his frame to bulldoze opponents, deliver bone-rattling hits, and scrap with guys twice his size. Fans in Boston fell in love with him because he played with the kind of fire that made the old Boston Garden shake. He wasn’t just throwing fists—he was defending the crest on his chest like it was life or death. You never had to guess if Stan Jonathan was going to show up on a given night. He was always dialed in, always dangerous, and always fearless.
One of the most iconic moments that solidified his reputation came during the 1978 Stanley Cup Final against the Canadiens. Jonathan squared off with Pierre Bouchard, a guy who had six inches and fifty pounds on him. It should’ve been a mismatch—but it wasn’t. Jonathan absolutely destroyed Bouchard in what remains one of the most brutal and lopsided fights in NHL history. He hammered him with short, piston-like punches that left Bouchard bloodied and stunned. The fight was so ferocious that even non-Bruins fans stood up and took notice. It was a message to the league: don’t let the size fool you—Jonathan was one of the baddest men on the ice.
But it wasn’t just his fists. Jonathan could actually play. He had soft hands around the net and the hockey IQ to make smart plays, which made him even more dangerous. He wasn’t some one-dimensional enforcer. He could contribute offensively and then drop the gloves to protect a teammate the next shift. That blend of skill, grit, and relentless tenacity is what made him a fan favorite. To this day, old-school Bruins fans still talk about him with a gleam in their eye, because Stan Jonathan embodied everything the “Big Bad Bruins” were all about—heart, toughness, and a refusal to back down from anyone.
One of the most iconic moments that solidified his reputation came during the 1978 Stanley Cup Final against the Canadiens. Jonathan squared off with Pierre Bouchard, a guy who had six inches and fifty pounds on him. It should’ve been a mismatch—but it wasn’t. Jonathan absolutely destroyed Bouchard in what remains one of the most brutal and lopsided fights in NHL history. He hammered him with short, piston-like punches that left Bouchard bloodied and stunned. The fight was so ferocious that even non-Bruins fans stood up and took notice. It was a message to the league: don’t let the size fool you—Jonathan was one of the baddest men on the ice.
But it wasn’t just his fists. Jonathan could actually play. He had soft hands around the net and the hockey IQ to make smart plays, which made him even more dangerous. He wasn’t some one-dimensional enforcer. He could contribute offensively and then drop the gloves to protect a teammate the next shift. That blend of skill, grit, and relentless tenacity is what made him a fan favorite. To this day, old-school Bruins fans still talk about him with a gleam in their eye, because Stan Jonathan embodied everything the “Big Bad Bruins” were all about—heart, toughness, and a refusal to back down from anyone.
2K
Terry O’Reilly wasn’t the most skilled player on the ice, but he was the heartbeat of the Bruins during the 1970s and early ‘80s. Fans loved him because he brought grit, toughness, and an unrelenting work ethic to every shift. He was the kind of player who’d throw a hit, drop the gloves, and still find a way to chip in offensively. O’Reilly wasn’t just an enforcer—he could play. He scored over 600 points in his career, including a 90-point season in 1977-78, proving he was more than just muscle. But it was his willingness to stand up for teammates, battle in the corners, and take on anyone that truly endeared him to Boston. He played the game with fire in his belly, and that fire matched the spirit of the city.
What made O’Reilly so iconic wasn’t just his toughness—it was his loyalty and leadership. He spent his entire NHL career in black and gold, later becoming the team’s head coach. His legendary moment climbing into the stands at Madison Square Garden to defend a teammate cemented his place in Bruins lore—not just as a player, but as a symbol of brotherhood and fight. Bruins fans didn’t just respect him—they felt like he represented them on the ice. No one bled for the B like O’Reilly did, and that’s why he remains one of the most cherished figures in franchise history
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What made O’Reilly so iconic wasn’t just his toughness—it was his loyalty and leadership. He spent his entire NHL career in black and gold, later becoming the team’s head coach. His legendary moment climbing into the stands at Madison Square Garden to defend a teammate cemented his place in Bruins lore—not just as a player, but as a symbol of brotherhood and fight. Bruins fans didn’t just respect him—they felt like he represented them on the ice. No one bled for the B like O’Reilly did, and that’s why he remains one of the most cherished figures in franchise history
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captain stone
Well-known member
Time to rid ourselves of Gayman's albatross contract as soon as financially possible.
captain stone
Well-known member
Stan Jonathan wasn’t just tough—he was a wrecking ball in skates. At just 5'8", he didn’t tower over anyone, but it didn’t matter. What made him legendary was the way he used every inch of his frame to bulldoze opponents, deliver bone-rattling hits, and scrap with guys twice his size. Fans in Boston fell in love with him because he played with the kind of fire that made the old Boston Garden shake. He wasn’t just throwing fists—he was defending the crest on his chest like it was life or death. You never had to guess if Stan Jonathan was going to show up on a given night. He was always dialed in, always dangerous, and always fearless.
One of the most iconic moments that solidified his reputation came during the 1978 Stanley Cup Final against the Canadiens. Jonathan squared off with Pierre Bouchard, a guy who had six inches and fifty pounds on him. It should’ve been a mismatch—but it wasn’t. Jonathan absolutely destroyed Bouchard in what remains one of the most brutal and lopsided fights in NHL history. He hammered him with short, piston-like punches that left Bouchard bloodied and stunned. The fight was so ferocious that even non-Bruins fans stood up and took notice. It was a message to the league: don’t let the size fool you—Jonathan was one of the baddest men on the ice.
But it wasn’t just his fists. Jonathan could actually play. He had soft hands around the net and the hockey IQ to make smart plays, which made him even more dangerous. He wasn’t some one-dimensional enforcer. He could contribute offensively and then drop the gloves to protect a teammate the next shift. That blend of skill, grit, and relentless tenacity is what made him a fan favorite. To this day, old-school Bruins fans still talk about him with a gleam in their eye, because Stan Jonathan embodied everything the “Big Bad Bruins” were all about—heart, toughness, and a refusal to back down from anyone.
2K
If it weren't for the Ken Dryden trade, Don Cherry's LunchPail AC (& Tom Johnson's BBBs) would've won Multiple Cups... And they STILL should've won in '79
captain stone
Well-known member
Good. Fuck that punk.
