Blackhawks 5, Maple Leafs 4: Turning to Nostalgic Misery Instead of Current Misery

1987-88 O-Pee-Chee - Rick Vaive

While wallowing in the misery that is being a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs on nights like this, a blown-lead, 5-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, I decided to wallow in some nostalgic misery instead.  The nostalgic misery involves the same two Original Six teams, and took place on September 3, 1987.

1987-88 O-Pee-Chee - Al Secord

1987-88 O-Pee-Chee - Ed Olczyk

On that date, Toronto traded Rick Vaive (their only 50-goal scorer to that point), Steve Thomas and Bob McGill to Chicago for Al Secord and Ed Olczyk.  Sure, Olczyk had a couple of decent years for the Leafs, but Secord was done by then and trading Thomas always stung.

It’s a rough time in Leafs Nation these days.  We’re turning to Ballard-era Leaf trades for our nostalgia.

Newsworthy – Winnipeg Returns to the NHL

Winnipeg Jets Logo - 1974-1990

I am aware that this story is old news by the time I finally write a post about it.  But if you’re coming here for news, you’re fucked.  Bring yourself up to speed at The Globe and Mail.  They broke the story in the first place, and they’ve covered it well.  It’s too bad Atlanta lost their team, but if you aren’t at least a little bit happy for Winnipeg, with all the shit they take all the time, then you don’t have a soul.

This team needs to be called the Winnipeg Jets.  I would accept Manitoba Jets as an alternative, but they need to be called the Jets.  Moose is a bush league name, and anything else would just be ridiculous.  I’m going to show you some reasons why they need to be called the Jets, the only way I know how – through hockey cards.

1989-90 O-Pee-Chee - Randy Carlyle

They need to be called the Jets because Randy Carlyle has looked the same since 1989.

1992-93 Score - Phil Housley

Because Phil Housley was way cooler before he started wearing number 96, even though he wanted out of Canada.

1992-93 Pro Set - Ed Olczyk

Because Ed Olczyk was American, and he still gave a fuck about Winnipeg and the Jets.

1990-91 Score - Stephane Beauregard

Because they also had home jerseys, like the one Stephane Beauregard is wearing here, but you’d never know from looking at hockey cards.  Winnipeg is too cold for photographers in the winter.

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee - Doug Smail

Because Doug Smail’s mustache and jersey tuck gave him sick style.

1990-91 Pro Set - Dale Hawerchuk

Because Dale Hawerchuk’s last Winnipeg card was one of the best.

1993-94 Upper Deck - Thomas Steen

Because Thomas Steen is a fucking Winnipeg City Councillor now.

1992-93 Upper Deck - Teemu Selanne - Young Gun

1992-93 Upper Deck - Keith Tkachuk - Star Rookie

And, because there was once the makings of a pretty good team in Jets jerseys.

I rest my case.  Save us all the hassle.  Call them the Jets.

Two Teams, One Player – Ed Olczyk

1990-91 Pro Set - Ed Olczyk (I)

1990-91 Pro Set - Ed Olczyk (II)

Ed Olczyk started the 1990-91 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming off seasons of 90 and 88 points for some pretty bad hockey teams.  18 games in, he was sent to Winnipeg along with Mark Osborne for Dave Ellett and Paul Fenton.

Initially, the trade looked like another Courtnall for Kordic-esque gaffe by questionable Leaf management of the era, especially after Olczyk scored in his first game for his new team, against the Leafs, no less.  But, Ellett did end up being a key component in the Leafs’ run to the Conference Finals in 1993 and 1994, as did Osborne after he was dealt back to Toronto midway through 1991-92.

Interestingly enough, the next time Olczyk was traded, it was from the Jets to the New York Rangers for Kris King and Tie Domi, both future Leafs, both of whom were contributors to another strong Toronto playoff run in 1999.

The way the Leafs have been lately, maybe they should try trading him again and see what happens.