The Forgotten Hockey Players of Broadway Podcast

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode number 39 we discuss the Rangers quick "play in " exit losing to the Hurricanes as well as the excitement surrounding "winning" the draft lottery and the impact that presumptive first overall pick Alexis La freniere will make on the club. We then segway to our main topic and revisit the epic 1973-74 Stanley Cup semi-finals between the Rangers and the Flyers.

* What do Rangers fans and management take away from the rangers disappointing "play in" exit vs Carolina ? Is this team built physically and mentally for the rigors of the NHL Playoffs ?

* Why did Quinn deviate from his regular season rotation and play Lundqvist over Georgiev after Shesterkin was deemed unfit to play ?

*Will Lafreniere leap ahead of Brad Park and turn out to be the greatest Rangers player drafted when his career is all said and done? Will Lafreniere provide the grit, muscle, leadership and elite offensive talent so lacking amongst Rangers forwards.

* The 1973-74 Flyers nicknamed the " Broad Street Bullies" were   a young , hungry,  intimidating and skilled team committed to initiating withering and relentless physical punishment on the opposition.

*The Rangers were an established and veteran club anxious to rebound from a subpar regular season yet confident after beating the defending Stanley Cup Champion Canadiens in the previous round.

* Dave Schultz mentioned before the clubs met that he preferred to play the Rangers because of their history of choking in the playoffs.

* The Flyers physically dominated the first two games in Philadelphia  with Rick MacLeish, Ross Lonsberry and Bernie Parent the stars.

* The Rangers rebounded in games 3 and 4 despite the Flyers taking an early 2-0 lead in Game 3. Brad Park and Rod Gilbert were the stars for the Rangers with Gilbert scoring one of the greatest OT goals in Rangers history in Game 4 evening up the series at 2. 

* MacLeish dominated for the Flyers in their game 5 win at home while Park, Vickers and Gilbert did the same for the Rangers in their game 6 win at home forcing a deciding game 7 in Philadelphia.

*In the most humiliating game 7 loss in franchise history and possibly in all of NY Sports history the Rangers lost 4-3 and earned the distinction of being the first original six franchise to lose to an expansion team during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers were physically punished ( with Dale Rolfe pummeled by Dave Shultz and the Rangers defenseman unable to protect Eddie Giacomin and keep the physical Flyers forwards from crashing the net down low leading to two goals by Dornhoefer, Kindrachuck and MacLeish) played sloppy defense in front of Giacomin and most egregiously of all  captain Vic Hadfield caught laughing in the penalty box to end the game and the season for the Rangers due to a too many men on the ice penalty. 

* The Flyers went on to beat the Boston Bruins in the finals to capture the franchises first of two consecutive Stanley Cups.

Rangers Penalty on number 10 Artemi Panarin...two minutes for unsportsmanlike like conduct !

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode 38 we update the impact of Covid -19 on the Rangers and the rest of the NHL during the upcoming 24 team playoff format. Tom, Rob and Special guest Logan Smith also recap and discuss the career of # 17 Brandon Dubinsky.

* Will the NHL be able to salvage the remainder of the 2019-20020 season with an innovative play-in and playoff 24 team  format and if so when will it start and in what cities will they be playing in ?

* Brandon Dubinsky was one of the fan favorites at MSG while he played for the Rangers and also in Columbus where he is still currently a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

*Selected in the second round and number 60th overall during the 2004 NHL Draft.

*Earned Rookie of the Year Team honors for the 2007-2008 season.

* One of sixteen rookies to play in the 2008 "Young Stars Competition" prior to the 56th annual NHL All-Star game and earning the Young Stars MVP with two goals and an assist.

* Dubinsky was awarded the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award following his Rangers Rookie season in 2008.

* Persistent and tenacious grinder and digger for loose pucks he  was an annoying presence for the opposing team and in particular Sidney Crosby.

* Scored a career high 20 and 24 goals during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons for the Rangers.

* Played for Coach John Tortorella with both the Rangers and Blue Jackets. Both have had a very contentious relationship with each other during their time together with both clubs.

* Traded by the Rangers in a Mega deal to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the summer of 2012 for Superstar forward Rick Nash.

* Dubinsky was considered a leader and productive player for the young Blue Jackets these past 7 seasons despite enduring numerous serious injuries due to his aggressive style of play.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode 37 we update the impact of Covid -19 on the Rangers and the rest of the NHL during the upcoming 24 team playoff format. Tom, Rob and Special guest Mike Browning also recap and discuss the career of one of the most talented and gritty Right Wingers in Rangers history # 28 Tomas Sandstrom.

* Will the NHL be able to salvage the remainder of the 2019-20020 season with an innovative 24 team playoff format and if so what will it look like ?

* What are the implications on Players contracts, free agent status , next seasons salary cap and the upcoming draft ?

* Who accepts the Stanley Cup on behalf of the Rangers if they were to go on and win the Coveted chalice? Would any games be played at MSG or will it be an Olympic style Hockey village with only a few arenas across North America hosting the playoff games ?

* Tomas Sandstrom was one of the most successful and impactful draft picks in Rangers history notching 173 goals, 208 assists for 381 points during his five and a half year Rangers career.

*Selected in the second round and number 36 overall during the 1982 NHL Draft.

*Earned All Rookie Team honors in 1985.

* Persistent and tenacious grinder and digger for loose pucks he  was an annoying presence for Defenseman and Goaltenders alike with his gritty and physical play down low.

* Scored a career high 40 goals for the Rangers during the 1986-87 season.

* Enjoyed five 25 plus goal seasons during his career as a Ranger.

* Earned ALL-Star Team birth as a Ranger in 1988.

* Few players in Rangers and NHL history absorbed more physical punishment and needless injury than Sandstrom. 

* Traded by the Rangers along with Tony Granato during the 1989-90 season to the kings for Bernie Nicholls.

* Sandstrom enjoyed his best goal scoring season with the Kings playing on a line with Gretzky and Granato and scored 45 goals in 1990-91.

* Sandstrom was a key cog during the Kings run to the 1993 Stanley Cup finals.

* Earned his only Stanley Cup as a member of the Redwings when he assisted on Darren McCarty's winning goal in 1997.

* Sandstrom also played for the Penguins and Mighty Ducks .

* Could the Rangers have been perennial Stanley Cup contenders if they had kept Sandstrom and other young talent they let get away like Granato, Weight, Amonte and others ?

* Currently ,Sandstom is a firefighter in Sweden.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode 36 we update the impact of Covid -19 on the Rangers and the rest of the NHL for the remainder of this season and next. Tom, Rob and Special guest Mike Browning also recap and discuss the career of one of the most talented goal scorers in the history of the Rangers and the NHL # 22 Right Winger Mike Gartner.

* Will the NHL be able to salvage any part of the remainder of the 2019-20020 season and if so what would the format look like ?

* What are the implications on Players contracts, free agent status , next seasons salary cap and the upcoming draft ?

* Will fans return to the Arenas ?

* Hall of Famer ( inducted in 2001) Mike Gartner was one of the most prolific and electric goal scorers in NHL and Rangers history notching 708 goals, 627 assists for 1,335 points during his 19 year career. Fourth most by any Right Winger in NHL history.

* Known for his incredibly hard and accurate slap shot as well as his uncanny ability to beat opposing goaltenders through the "5Hole".

* Gartner was also a tough competitor notching 1,159 minutes in penalties.

*Drafted by the Washington Capitals with the 4th selection in the first round of the 1979 NHL draft.

* One of the fastest skaters to ever play in the NHL.

*Finished runner up to Wayne Gretzky for the WHA "Rookie Of The Year" honors after the 1978-79 season

* The only player in NHL history to score 30 or more goals in a season 17 times including 15 seasons in a row.

* Traded to the NY Rangers in March of 1990 where over the next three seasons he would score 49, 40 and 45 goals.

* During his time with the Rangers he would record his 500th and 600th goal while also registering  his 1,000 career point.

* His Stanley Cup aspirations were dealt a blow when the Rangers traded him to the Maple Leafs for Glen Anderson at the trade deadline prior to the start of the playoffs and the Rangers winning the 1994 Stanley Cup championship. 

*Gartner played in 7 All-Star games earning All-Star game MVP in 1993.

*Gartner won the fastest skater competition 3 times.

* Played in the 1981,82,83and 1993 World championships for Team Canada while also playing for the Canada Cup squads in 1984 and 1987.

* Scored his 700 th career goal as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.

* Besides his career with the Capitals,Rangers, and Maple Leafs Gartner also played for the Minnesota North Stars as well as the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode 35 we discuss the impact of Covid -19 on the Rangers and the rest of the NHL for the remainder of this season and next. Tom, Rob and Special guest Mike Browning also recap the Rangers moves during the recent NHL trade deadline.

* Will the NHL be able to salvage any part of the remainder of the 2019-20020 season and if so what would the format look like ?

* What are the implications on Players contracts, free agent status , next seasons salary cap and the upcoming draft ?

* How well did the Rangers navigate the recent trade deadline 

* Will Henrik Lundqvist retire, be bought out or possibly traded before the start of next season or will he return as the teams back up goaltender ?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode #34 we look back at the great career of "Lucky" Pierre Larouche who wore numbers 10 and 24 while playing center with the Rangers during 1983-1988.  

* Selected number 8 in the first round of the 1974 draft by the Penguins.

*Signed with the Rangers as a "free agent" before the 1983-84 season and went on to set  a Rangers record for goals by a center with 48. The only player to have scored over 45 goals with three separate teams.

* Scored 24,20 and 28 goals his next there seasons despite missing numerous games due to injury.

* Earned All-Star recognition as a Ranger in 1984

* After spending time in the minor leagues at Hershey to start the 1985-86 season LaRouche came back to the Rangers to help catapult  the team to an unexpected playoff run by scoring 20 goals in 28 games and leading the club to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

*LaRouche led the team in playoff scoring with 17 points including 8 goals in 16 playoff games.

* Scored 31 goals in his rookie season with the Penguins and became the teams first 50 goal scorer netting 53 in his second season 1975-76

*Played four seasons in Montreal winning two Stanley Cup championships and setting a Canadiens record for a center by scoring 50 goals in 1979-80. The only player at the time to register 50 goals for two separate teams.

* Larouche has also earned the Community service award and Good guy award while with the Rangers.

* Retired after the 1987-88 season at the age of 32

* Since his retirement Larouche has become an excellent golfer and dedicated himself to many charities.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's, 70's and 80's.

In episode number 33 we look back at the career of one of the most popular and clutch NY Rangers during the 1970's and current Radio Analyst for the club ...number 21 Centre Pete Stemkowski.

*Stemkowski played 14 years in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, Red Wings , Rangers and kings

* " Stemmer" excelled as the third line center for the club both on offense and defense during his seven years with the Rangers

* Scored one of the most memorable goals in Rangers and Madison Square Garden History with his Triple overtime goal against the Black Hawks during game six of the 1971 Semifinals( He scored two overtime goals in the series)

* Was considered the Rangers best face-off man

*Stemkowski had five 20 plus goal seasons with three of those playing with the Rangers including a career high 70 points in 1973-74 and 12 points in the playoffs that same year.

* Earned All-Star honors while with the Redwings during the 1968 season.

* Was an important contributor to the Maple leafs last Stanley Cup Championship in 1967 tallying 12 points.

* Member of the Polish American Sports HOF -2002

* Established a reputation for keeping his teammates loose with his quick wit and sense of Humor

* Worked with the San Jose Sharks broadcasting team for a few seasons starting in 2002.

* Currently the color analyst for The Rangers radio broadcast team

A nostalgic look back at our favorite heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's,70's and 80's.

In Episode # 32 we look back on the top Rangers coaches since the 1960's.

*Was Emile " The Cat " Francis the very best in Rangers history since he built the powerful clubs of the late 60's and early 70's after the club struggled mightily during the bleak years of the 50's and early 60's .

* How about "Iron Mike " Keenan the former Flyers coach who guided the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup Championship during his one and only season as coach.

* Was it Herb Brooks ? The Miracle on Ice coach who took over a floundering Hockey team a few years removed from the 1979 Cup Finals team and guided them to several improbable wins against superior teams in the playoffs with an up tempo and European style of hockey.

* Was Freddy " The Fog " Shero the former two time Stanley Cup winning Coach for the Flyers who guided the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals the most underrated coach in Rangers history ? Was Roger Nielson or Tom Renney the most underrated ?

* Where does John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault rank ? Over rated  ? The Best ?

* Who was the Best ? The most impactful ? The most underrated  and overrated ?

* How would you rate David Quinn ? Is he on his way to being one of the Rangers Great coaches ?

* Let us know your thoughts !

A nostalgic look back at our favorite heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the rangers during the 60's,70's and 80's.

In Episode # 31 we look back on the 1972 Stanley Cup finals between the NY Rangers and their hated rivals the Boston Bruins.

* First Stanley Cup final's meeting between these two clubs since 1929.

* Rangers defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champion Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks while the Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Blues to reach the Finals

* Bruins finished first in the league in points and were led by Superstars Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr and an incredible lineup of tough and skilled players that excelled in penalty killing and the power play.

* The Rangers finished with the second most points and were led by Superstar  Brad Park, the GAG line of Hadfield ,Ratelle and Gilbert (although Ratelle sustained a devastating ankle injury earlier in the season and just started playing again in the finals) as well as Star Goaltender Edie Giacomin who was also playing with a knee injury.

* The Bruins defeated the Rangers in six games for their second Cup in three seasons.

* The Bruins devastated the Rangers while shorthanded scoring  three shorthanded goals in the series ( Derek Sanderson and Eddie Westfall were brilliant). Both teams tallied six power play goals

* Bruins Goaltending was the difference in the series as Eddie Johnston was outstanding and Gerry Cheevers (who went undefeated in 33 straight games during the season) pitched a shutout in the Cup clinching game six at MSG.

* The Bruins size, strength and physicality especially down low ( where the Bruin forwards always seemed to outnumber the Rangers) caused the Rangers all sorts of problems in the series. Bruins forwards Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge were particularly dominant.