Boston Bruins
BHN Puck Links: Most Iconic Image In Boston Sports? It’s Bobby Orr
There are many iconic images in Boston sports history, and more specifically in the history of the Boston Bruins. And Bobby Orr is at the top of the list.
But there will always have to be an image that’s the most iconic. There are dozens of unforgettable images of Tom Brady celebrating Patriots Super Bowl victories, or of Larry Bird with a Celtics victory stogie in his mouth. And there will always be plenty of images from the 2004 Red Sox World Series run that will remain as timeless mementos from one of the most memorable seasons in Boston sports history.
But the most iconic photograph in Boston sports history, and perhaps in all of sports history up there with Muhammad Ali standing triumphantly over Sonny Liston, is of Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the Stanley Cup-clinching goal against the St. Louis Blues.
It was less about the drama of a Stanley Cup that was well in hand for the Black and Gold, and more about the poetry of the play with the NHL’s greatest player in the very prime of his hockey career making magic happen on the ice. With far too much politics surrounding the discussion with No. 4 in recent weeks, thankfully the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul DuPont served up a reminder this week that Bobby Orr will always be remembered as the greatest player and a Hall of Fame person as well.
On to the links:
*Interesting piece about “mass chaos” in the development paths for hockey players in Massachusetts with way too many players spread out into way too many leagues, which is watering down the quality competition for the players. It feels like the system is Massachusetts is unsustainable and a return to many kids playing for their local high schools would be a simple solution, but the question is what it’s going to take to make that happen? The bottom line is that kids should be playing for the love of hockey and not because of where they believe it might take them. (SI.com)
*Chicago Blackhawks trainer Ian Mack believes that Blackhawks sniper Patrick Kane is going to be able to play in the NHL until he’s 50 years old. I’m a little skeptical on that one. (NBC Sports Chicago)
*Here’s an early look at the 2021 NHL free agent class that’s going to potentially include big Bruins names like David Krejci and Tuukka Rask. (The Score).
*We’re entering a crucial stretch for a return to play for the NHL with the league and the players required to be on the same page. The hybrid bubble plan is going to be interesting. There is going to be some disagreements about the money in the next few weeks. You can take that to the bank. (Sportsnet)
*The New Jersey Devils sent out the NHL’s best tweet about cannabis this week? Yes, it’s true. (Bar Down)
*For something completely different: It’s a sad day in Boston sports with the passing of Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn. Tommy had a hand in every championship won by the Celtics and was the personification of Celtics Pride as a television analyst. Selfishly and sadly, I’m upset that I’ll never hear him affectionately call me “a puck head” again. Tommy was a Hall of Fame basketball player and a beautiful renaissance man with so many interests and such an iconic personality. He’ll be greatly missed as we won’t see another one like him around here again. Great job by FOH (Friend of Haggs) Chris Mannix capturing the spirt here. (SI.com)