43 Years of Maple Leaf Frustration: 1977-78 Season

Jim Gregory had done a good job in building a winning team on a limited budget. He brought great people throughout the organization. After three years of elimination in the quarterfinals, Gregory decided to make some changes to compete with the elite in the league - Montreal, Boston and the Islanders. Errol Thompson and two 1st round draft picks were traded to Detroit for Dan Maloney (and you thought the Kessel trade was bad). Inge Hammarstrom was traded to St. Louis for Jerry Butler. Dave Hutchinson was picked up from Los Angeles. The most significant trade was moving defense propect Randy Carlyle (and a future Norris trophy winner) for veteran Dave Burrows. These deals sacrificed the future to provide the Leafs with more toughness and a veteran presence on defense. During the 1977-78 season, a journeyman defenseman named Ron Wilson would split time between the Leafs and the Newmarket Saints. Wilson would eventually be named the 18th Head Coach from the time the Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup.

In addition, Red Kelly was removed as coach and replaced by Roger Neilson who was one of the most innovative coaches the NHL has seen. Under Neilson’s coaching, the Leafs combined a mix of strong defensive systems with their own brand of physical intimidation. Neilson had a strong core to work with as Darryl Sittler continued to develop as a player and leader. He finished 3rd in scoring with 117 points, a team record. The team finished 4th in their Conference and 6th overall with 92 points.

The Leafs had their greatest success since 1967 under Neilson. They swept Los Angeles in the preliminary round of the playoffs and finally beat the Islanders in the quarterfinals in Game 7 on Lanny McDonald’s overtime goal. But this gritty team, a mixture of skill players and grinders, were no match for the Montreal Canadiens of that era and were knocked out of the playoffs by the Guy Lafleur led Habs.