Month: October 2024

“Original Six” fans have been misled

Here along the Lake – Most casual fans of NHL hockey make the supposition that the media coined term, “original six” applies to the very first six teams of the NHL, and nothing could be further from the truth.

As a young man I tended bar in my city for over 20 years and have benefited from cocksure customers that have implored me to “wager” with them about this very subject, and after reluctantly agreeing to do so…collected their money, sheepishly, but still collected.

The following is a timeline from 1917 and the inception of the NHL after the folding of the NHA to the most recent expansion, including the only time two teams merged into one.

1917-18  First NHL games were played, a 22 game schedule with 5 Teams

1918-19  One team withdraws, 4 Teams

1924-25  The NHL granted two new franchises, 6 Teams  (These are the “Original Six” teams of the NHL)

1925-26  One team withdraws, two additional franchises granted, 7 Teams

1926-27  The NHL increases by three new franchises, 10 Teams  (The NHL grew to 10 teams in its first decade of operation)

1931-32  One team withdraws, another only for one season 8 Teams

1932-33  One team resumes play, 9 Teams

1935-36  One team is terminated, 8 Teams

1937-38  One team withdraws, 7 Teams

1942-43  One team withdraws, 6 Teams  (Nearly 20 seasons pass before the NHL drops back down to six teams)

1967-68  The NHL increases by six new franchises, 12 Teams  (Over 20 seasons of having returned to only six teams before the media coined the term, “original six”)

1970-71  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 14 Teams

1972-73  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 16 Teams

1974-75  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 18 Teams

1978-79  Two teams merge, 17 Teams

1979-80  Four new NHL franchises awarded, 21 Teams

1991-92  The NHL grants one franchise, 22 Teams

1992-93  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 24 Teams

1993-94  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 26 Teams

1998-99  The NHL grants one franchise, 27 Teams

1999-00  The NHL grants one franchise, 28 Teams

2000-01  Two new NHL franchises awarded, 30 Teams

2017-18  The NHL grants one franchise, 31 Teams

2021-22  The NHL grants one franchise, 32 Teams 

All in all the NHL has increased 17 times and decreased six times including one merger over its long history.

The media coined term, “original six” was meant as a nod from the press describing and to discern between, the established teams from the incoming six teams that made up the new and large 12 team NHL.

First week of competition

I appreciate a time honored trophy that has been retired, brought back and then retired again, with different uses for well over three decades in the NHL.

You have until next Monday night to make a selection, you can privately email buffalowinter61@hotmail.com the answer or post it in this discussion thread if you prefer.

Same Old Lindy, Same Old Results

Buffalo 1 – New Jersey 4 (en)

Buffalo 1 – New Jersey 3 (prevented en)

Prague, Czechia – Hope springs eternal here along the Lake…but it does not take long for cold water to be thrown on the fans hopes and dreams of finally earning a playoff seeding.

The Buffalo Sabres were out-coached, out-scored, and out-defended for most of the two Global Series games versus the New Jersey Devils who are boasting a new goaltender and a new “Head Coach” who is not an unsuccessful former player/coach that already had his shot.

The Positives – Obviously Devon Levi has proved that he is our number one goaltender, looking solid and kept Buffalo in the game.

Alex Tuch proved that this team has heart after goon dillon an alternate captain for New Jersey with malicious intent launched himself and made contact with his shoulder into JJ Peterka’s face/head, and after review the “referees” called it a “two minute” interference penalty.

The Czech/Slovak Buffalo Sabres fan club was in full attendance during both contests with their large white “Fred Flintstone lodge hats.”

I will give it until the end of October before I begin petitioning GM Adams to kick lindy ruff upstairs to a “veteran advisor” role so that HC Appert can take over and coach our boys to the playoffs.

Paraphrasing Clement Clarke Moore’s A Vist from St. Nicholas