Ken Dryden passed away yesterday. He was a giant in several areas of the game, and I find myself a little emotional about the news. Dryden was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1964, third round and No. 14 overall. He went to Cornell instead of signing and the Bruins traded him to Sam Pollock (of course) and the Montreal Canadiens not much later. In the spring of 1971, the Canadiens (as powerful a franchise as any in history at that time) looked a little flat as the league headed to the postseason. Pollock, who was a magician as a manager, recalled Dryden from the Montreal Voyageurs (AHL) for six regular season games and he shone like a diamond.
Dryden then proceeded to flatten hockey giants, including my beloved Boston Bruins of the Bobby Orr era, effectively ending my childhood and introducing bitter disappointment into my lexicon of emotions. Dryden was his own man, and earned respect with his actions, which included holding out for an entire season until Pollock gave him a salary he’d clearly earned.
His NHL career was short, but his impact on the game continued throughout his life. The Game, a wonderful book published in 1983, remains one of the finest in the sport’s history. His book with Scotty Bowman is also an enjoyable read, despite some outrageous opinions from Bowman about the Oilers.
Dryden gave a speech at the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens that may well still be going in some space/time continuums of our existence. He was a brilliant and throughtful man. I never met him, but my friend Dave Jamieson carried on a significant friendship with him over years. The fact that Dryden appreciated Jamieson’s wit and character is, I think, a credit to both men.
As one ages, death of individuals can take the wind out of you. In youth, there is shock at losing someone famous who impacted you (John Candy, Princess Diana for me) and of course personal loss is on a much different scale.
I was not prepared for Dryden’s passing. He was always that young goalie on the hastily prepared 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee hockey card of my youth. Rest in peace, sir, my thoughts are with his family. He was a giant of a man in all ways.
I grew up English speaking in a French dominated Ontario town. One of my oldest hockey memories was most of the kids telling me that Patrick Roy after his run in 86 was the next Ken Dryden.
I didn’t know who that was but I was so tired of hearing about Lafleur and the Rocket etc. that I had a soft spot evolve for Dryden and Larry Robinson. Probably because they didn’t get the same level of respect from my French speaking neighbours as their francophone heroes, and I hated the Leafs with a passion.
RIP
Early times but Yevseyev with over 5 minutes of ice time in his first period of the season. Couple of shots on net.
Heartening indeed, seemed like it would take him a week to get that much time last year haha.
Very sad and surprising to hear of Ken Dryden’s passing. I wasn’t expecting it based on his age, I wasn’t aware of his Cancer.
In 1967, I starting watching hockey with my Grandfather (a Fench Canadian, but born in Manitoba) who was a huge Habs fan. Pretty good team to cheer for as a kid, since I got to watch them win 8 cups before even graduating from high school. And Dryden was a huge part in 6 of those.
I had 3 hockey posters on my wall in the late 70s, Lafleur (RIP 2022), Robinson and Dryden. It was disappointing in ’79 when he retired at 31 having just one his 6th cup, but I understood better later. Still, I wonder if the Habs could have remained a better challenger to the Islanders if he and Lemaire hadn’t left quite so soon.
Like others on here, it is an awakening when your childhood sports heroes start to pass away. Takes all kinds of people to make up a sports teams. I care a lot more for teams that have people on them that I can at least admire and respect how they play the game. Harder to find a player worthy of that respect more than Ken Dryden.
RIP.
Ken Dryden. Man, did I dislike Ken Dryden. And Serge Savard, Yvonne Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur and Doug Risebrough. Bob Gainey, I didn’t like him either. Did you know Glen Sather played 63 games for the Habs in 74/75? He scored 6 goals that year. I disliked him too. I also got annoyed with my best friend James, a Habs fan (I should have had better friends), and that smug smirk he always had because Montreal always just kept winning. Why, because the Bruins were my team, and those 70’s Canadiens were Bruin kryptonite.
But children grow up, and greatness becomes apparent when perspective over-rides fandom.
I’ve heard the words giant used here, and elsewhere, to describe Mr. Dryden. To me, he seems even bigger than that. That word seems flimsy, and can’t adequately describe one of the best goalies ever, one of the best hockey authors ever, and a proud Canadian that represented and served his Country both as a hockey player and as a public servant. Who does all that? Well, Ken Dryden did, and we were darn lucky to have him.
I’m at the age now where my childhood heroes are leaving us. When it happens, it causes me to pause for a moment, then I carry on. Somehow, this one caused me to stop. Mr. Dryden was unique, he was Canadian, and I’m damn proud I became a fan.
Mr. Dryden was unique, he was Canadian
In one of today’s comments here on Dryden the writer, @unjust…, wondered if Dryden, not his favourite player, might still be the best Canadian hockey player, given his contributions to the game, and to Canada. (I’m remembering this poorly @injust…, if you’re reading this; my apologies)
Dryden is probably my favourite player. I loved what he did with those 70s Habs. But I appreciate him even more for who he was as a man and as a Canadian.
Would that half our sports heroes had his stature and impact on this country.
Leon signed at this time a year ago and I don’t remember any panic about him signing, why all the panic about Mcdavid? He knows he has to sign before season and I bet he signs before main camp.
i think everyone knows that there is no way they can start the season without a contract. That’s not fair to his teammates
But I guess fall is in the air and there’s absolutely no hockey to talk about and websites need clicks
And too big a distraction for a team that wants to get back to playing for a Cup. A good start for a change would be fantastic
Too big of a distraction. He’s too smart of a guy to put that kind of pressure on rookies too “see what they got” as some are reporting. Too many of his teammates need contracts which talks are on hold until he decides.
This team has started poorly too many times for Mcdavid to test run the first 20 games. Doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to give up on his teammates and best friends.
The verbal has been very different during the mcdavid summer than it was during the drai summer
Why is that? There’s no reason for it. Why does Mcdavid not want to play in Edmonton? Been the same verbal since he got drafted
There is no indication he doesn’t want to play in Edmonton, in fact, quite the opposite.
The reason there is more noise that with Drai as Drai signed the first day after Labor Day, when business was back in session.
There have been 4 business days since Labour Day and McDavid has given a public address back in August, a couple of solo interviews (Rishaug and Spec) and a media avail this week.
Its the public addresses that have created the noise and “insider speculation” that its not happening before camp (although its more “insider opinion” than actual “insider information” it seems.
Fan”atical” anxiety!
I’m talking about the verbal from mcdavid himself playing into all this
Ask McDavid. It’s the verbal from him that isn’t making a whole lot of sense for someone who is simply working out the final details of an extension.
Yes, since his little pout after the final he’s sounded selfish to me.
He knows he’s the single most powerful person in the organization and he’s showing it.
He didn’t have to say anything.
In some ways I don’t blame him. He’s been the best for so long and had everyone cater to him. Hard to behave differently when you only know one way. Everyone has flaws.
I once said that Brady Tchuk was one of the most beloved players to his fan base. His relationship with them is excellent. People then replied that it paled compared to that of mcdavid and oilers fans. But just take a listen. Read the posts.
Brady loves his fans, and let’s them know in loud ways, and they love him back.
I don’t know that there are too many players in the NHL that have that same level of love with the fans.
— a retired Mentor and close friend of mine from my firm went to Brown (Dryden was a Brown college graduate). We were exchanging texts this morning about the news and I asked if he and Ken’s paths ever crossed
— He tells me “first time I met ken he was standing in line in front of me at a deli on Yonge street near where I lived, in the year that he took off from hockey”. : I had to look it up didn’t realize Ken took a season off because of contract dispute as well as do his articling. Anyway his texts continue:” Ken graduated from Brown in spring ‘68, I was freshmen in fall of 68 so never there at same time”
— texts continue : So standing in the line I tap hi and put my hand out and say “”Ken it’s David, Brown ‘72 economics and Hockey”. So they connect ate lunch together and had a lot in common and were friends ever since he tells me
— My mentor never mentioned this to me in all the years I knew him that he and Ken were so close He’s going to a pall bearer at funeral which he tells me is going to be a big thing.
— Ken Dryden was one of the minority of athletes that contributed a lot to society after his hockey career in avenues outside of sport. A real giant
Thanks for the story. Would you edit your story to state that Ken Dryden attended Cornell University and graduated in 1969?
— ah! The texts were just “he graduated in 68”.
— your right: Ken was Cornell grad, my mentor and story he went to brown …
— I’ll text him about the years though !
I took a break from hockey news and enjoyed the summer. Labour Day has passed and McDavid has no extension. More and more sports journalists are warning us that the end is coming. Yesterday it was Cathal Kelly in the Globe and Mail with the comment that “McDavid is quite quitting the Oilers.” It saddens me to say that, to me, it’s really starting to look that way.
If McDavid won’t sign or won’t tell the Oilers what he wants, then the Oilers need to find out where he wants to go and start the bidding. Let’s hope it’s the Oilers, but if it isn’t then let’s hope McDavid’s list includes more than 1 team.
McDavid’s long goodbye has Oilers marching to the beat of the captain’s drum
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-connor-mcdavid-contract-extension-edmonton-oilers-nhl-long-goodbye/
I would respectfully suggest returning to enjoying your summer and permanently taking a break from getting any hockey news from the Globe and Mail.
Should I stopped reading Alan Mitchell too, cause his words have been very similar? Who else should I stop reading? Good grief.
— it’s refreshing to take breaks from things that we spend a lot on.
— I gave up fantasy football this year (won league las year so left on top)
— It was just too consuming for what is such a silly thing to be so invested in.
— I’m like that too for hockey. I’m certain that without this blog I would have only a passing interest in the Oilers.
— I’m thankful for the different dimension this blog affords me as an outlet to be a fan and just share and read different perspectives on the team and glimpses into the fascinating life of our host.
— Blue Jays currently consuming me though : going out for a run and will listen to rest of the game :f?ck the Yankees !
The analysis makes some sense but it’s too early to say. There are lots of moving parts, most likely everyone is still looking at all the options and McDavid is still deciding what he wants. If we get to the end of October and there isn’t much news then it’s time to start this discussion.
Pro media folks need eyeballs. Those in TO can write something about Connor not being an Oiler, and that stokes the locals to dive in. It’s their job, I’m not criticizing it
Maybe he wants out, we don’t know. The part that doesn’t fit for me is his former agent, who I am sure he’s very close to, has publicly committed to making the Oilers the state of the art organization in the league. The owner spends on the team. The hiring of Kalle Larrson speaks to a commitment to develop players better to sustain the back half of his and Leo’s career
The real kicker is where can he go that is better? They are the second best team in the league. He gets to play with a top 3 or better player in Leo, and with Bouch who is a top offensive D and younger than him, still growing. Bowman is building and changing things up much faster than Holland did. He has shown he can make good deals without overpaying. I’m sure Connor has noticed
No other team can offer all of this. Maybe the Panthers are better as it stands, and I’m sure the aggressive Zito would trade for Connor, but that would almost certainly mean Barkov was coming back, and he sports a no movement clause, and the Panthers would not be the same team
Any team that made a deal for him would be weakened significantly. LT has said he thinks it would be a picks/youth type deal. But that doesn’t suit the Oilers, a rebuild makes no sense right now, and the owner has made large investments that mean he needs the high revenue to continue, which a rebuild would jeopardize. Not to mention given the age of their best players it wouldn’t make sense anyways
Connor isn’t going to want to go to Buffalo, San Jose or Anaheim, who have high end younger NHL players they could deal. Maybe the Oilers need a better goalie and 3C, but those are not huge moves for a good GM, which I think Bowman is
The biggest worry is a shorter term, which means we get to do it all again in a couple of seasons. But the thing is, who knows if he went then as an aging player if they are a worse team or a better team from the return, and extend serious contending ?
McDavid to Utah.
Logan Cooley
Sean Durzi
Connor Ingram
Tij Iginla
1st round pick 2026
Utah is not “weakened considerably” since McDavid replaces Cooley at 1C.
The Oilers become considerably younger and arguably better now and in the future.
Not to say McDavid wants to go there but you keep saying any team that trades first him would be pooched.
You lost me at Cathal Kelly.
I didn’t see the news about Dryden until early this morning. I was not quite 5 in the spring of ’71 when he backstopped the Habs to that Cup and won the Conn Smythe. I can’t say I remember watching since I was so young, but I’m sure I was sitting with my Dad in the recliner chair for every first period that spring until bedtime. The game and the country have lost a legend, but the great thing about legends is they live on. We have his book The Game which I probably haven’t cracked open for 40 years. I pulled it from the bookshelf this morning and plan on getting back into it this week.
An exceptional eulogy from a man who knew Dryden very well.
https://www.nhl.com/news/ken-dryden-remembered-for-6-stanley-cup-wins-with-montreal-canadiens-and-off-ice-exploits
Thanks
Growing up, despite her being forever devoted to her Leafs, Mom always spoke glowingly of Dryden and I recall an original hard copy of The Game always having a prominent spot on the bookshelf, where it remains to this day.
Being a goalie as a youngster I repeatedly tried to emulate the iconic pose resting on his stick but could never reach his heights, he was truly a giant in every sense of the word.
I was born in the Vancouver area, but my family roots were ‘Bertan and as a child we moved to Edmonton area the year Gretzky became an Oiler.
It was during my first 6 years of life that I discovered hockey through school influences (I had the 1974 version of the Bobby Orr lunch box) and Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson and the Habs were my first hockey heroes.
Of any non-related adult (and Mrs Endersby, my grades 1-3 teacher & Evel Kneivel) Ken Dryden was by far the most influential. He was THE reason I wanted to be a goalie. There was so much about his approach and how he was different from every other hockey player that resonated with me.
RIP Le Penseur
Indeed
My dad was born in 1951, grew up a Habs fan, and practiced law for 47 years. Probably not surprisingly, Ken Dryden was a big damn deal to my dad. I would have called him at this news. But I can’t anymore so I’ll call my mom tonight and talk to her about Ken Dryden and dad.
I disliked the Habs growing up yet everyone knew Dryden was the best. For a big man where the equipment was half the size and smaller reflex goaltenders were the norm he stood out. His pose is legendary where he rest his head on on his stick-blocker-glove and his awesome mask will be remembered.
Tomasek said the personal contact from Stan and his team was a major factor in him choosing Edmonton. Stan went to Sweden to meet with him.
Credit: On air with Gregor yesterday.
Stan Looked in every corner on the globe and came back with Tomasek-Samanski-Leppernen
On Samanski, part credit to Dallas Easkin, yes, Dallas Eakins.
He is coaching in Germany and put in a call to the Oilers org (and a few others he said) on him.
I wonder if Leon’s Dad was somehow involved as well? This is a huge year for this kid as he’s growing into his big frame. If he does well in Bakersfield and continues that in a world stage at the Olympics could he receive a cup of coffee or am I way ahead of myself?
Way ahead of yourself (in my opinion).
First things first is to see how he does in the AHL and give him time to settle in to North America and the North American game (its been 6 years) – for all we know, he’s a tweener at the AHL level. He may be more but one thing at at a time – for me.
I was a Habs fan before the Oilers came into the league. As kids are disposed to do, I liked what I thought was the best team. That playoff round against them was strange for me, happy the Oilers won, I think I had accepted Montreal fading out by then. Beating them cemented my Oiler fandom with finality. RIP Mr. Dryden
News of his death was the last thing I saw last night. It hit me.
Unlike you, watching him in those 1971 awakened something in me. He was beyond imagining. I’d never enjoyed hockey until Dryden.
My first hockey hero. My first hero. Still my hero (hockey, writing, service to country by running for office, head injury activist, intelligent voice about the game – and so much more).
Thank you for writing about him LT.
About twenty-five years ago, I entered an elevator in an office tower in downtown Toronto. It was a typical morning and I was on my way to work on the 26th floor. The doors closed, the elevator ascended for a few floors, and then the doors reopened. Entering the elevator was a tall, slightly crouching man lost in thought and moving as though he did not wish to be seen. His large head barely cleared the top of the entrance to the elevator. He positioned himself in the elevator, side by side with me, and so we shared a few seconds of silence. This was my first and most memorable encounter with Ken Dryden.
His passing has prompted a question for me: what makes a great hockey player? As I think about Dryden’s excellence on the ice and his many impressive endeavors off the ice, including his period of public service, I can’t avoid thinking about his full “human record” alongside those we tend to think of as the greatest players of all time. Alongside Ken Dryden and his many accomplishments, which other hockey players can compare? Not many, if any. In my view, Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky pale by comparison. They are not multi-faceted in the way that Dryden was. Their off-ice accomplishments are not all that memorable in a good way, particularly when one considers their regrettable forays into political commentary.
If we revisit our definition of “greatest hockey player of all time”, should Ken Dryden be at the top? Why not? He was perhaps the most celebrated goaltender of his generation; he won multiple Stanley Cups and Vezina trophies, etc., in a decade-long career; he could speak eloquently and thoughtfully, and write books, at least one or two of which would become classics; he gave himself to public service as a politician, aiming to improve the lives of his fellow citizens. What an amazing individual. His concerns transcended his individual life. He was not my favorite hockey player, but I think I would rank him as perhaps the greatest hockey player Canada has ever produced, taking into account his full slate of accomplishments. His footsteps cannot be filled by the stars of today, who are more one-dimensional. We will miss your fine example, Ken Dryden.
100% agree.
Dryden killed my team of the day, the Black Hawks in the final the year he won the Conn Smythe before winning the Calder the next year. (I was a big Makita fan) My dad hated his politics but at least his brother was an Oiler.
I remember. I watched that series, from the other side. It was an amazing series.
Growing up, all winter long we all knew the street hockey games started promptly after dinner. The games was always in front of the white house where the French family lived. That stretch of the avenue was our home rink. Neighbours never parked a car there …there we had two street lights to illuminate our game. We manicured that little patch, snow pushed to sides and piled to mini boards, the ruts on the road were beaten down to a point any Zamboni would be proud and two hockey bags with snow were strategically placed behind each goal to stop the missed shots from flying away into the darkness…”fing pics”
it seemed like everyone came to play hockey there. We just showed up and you knew which team you were on. If a new kid came the oldest kid (from white house) assigned them to one team and you had a new team for that winter. No parents, no non participants, the oldest kid was a player and the ref and commissioners we all silently agreed he was fair enough.
The goalies were either Tony O or Ken Dryden if you got there first.
i am certain my friends from that home rink are sad today.
Great writeup on one of my heroes, LT. Small edit needed, it was not 1970, he made his N.H.L. debut with the Habs on March 4, 1971.
Great write-up and tribute to a true hockey legend LT. Thoughts are with his family.
Worth the watch…
https://www.nhl.com/video/nhl100-ken-dryden-6337219944112
Stauff last night alluding to the possibility that Hyman doesn’t play games until November. Speculating at this point I think.
Mentioned the opportunity it would bring g for Savoie and Tomasek.
I’m starting to get more excited to see Tomasek. From accounts, big and strong and has a very good shot (Stauff).
Let’s not forget, his SHL season was not a one off – three season before leading in scoring, he led in points.
Verified accounts are also that many teams were interested in him – hence the $1.2MM cap hit (he aged out of the ELC limits).
I see him missing the first 10 games. Could having 3 hungry unknowns in Howard-Tomasek-Savoie be beneficial to getting out of the gate as opposition has no book on them.
Pehaps he misses that much time, or perhaps its 4 games or 0 games, right.
If it is 10 games (and 21 days) they can LTIR him and it would have the benefit of kicking some roster decisions down the road (and providing some higher leverage reps for some others) – they’d be able to have a 23 man roster without Hyman.
On THAT note, perhaps the allows them to carry 3 goalies to start the year – test drive a DiPietro or Daws if they are able to claim them – still think giving up assets is tough for a player they may determine they need to waive.
A month in LTIR reduces accrual but, with the stupid playoff cap, using accrued space to acquire contracts at the deadline (i.e. acquiring players they can only fit in via pro-rating what’s left) may not work depending on what their “playoff cap” would look like.
“Let’s not forget, his SHL season was not a one off – three season before leading in scoring, he led in points”
First minor point, Tomasek lead the SHL in points this past season, while it was the prior season he lead in goals. He was still 3rd in goals scored in 24/25.
Second, leading the SHL in goal scoring in your late 20s might not be as much of an indicator of NHL success as some might think. A detailed assessment of NHL equivalencies for anyone but the youngest players would likely show that older players in most of these other league do not have their scores translate that well coming to the NHL. Not many older players who come over make much of an offensive impact when they venture over and its telling to look at those that go the other way.
We don’t even have to stray far from the Tomasek example to see what I mean. In 23/24, when 27 year old Tomasek lead the SHL in goals scored with 25 goals, tied for 3rd and 4th place with 21 goals were Patrick Russell and Ty Rattie.
Yes that Patrick Russell: the free agent Dane signed by the Oilers out of college who after getting 40 points in 51 games for Bakersfield, was brought up to the big club in 18/19. From that point on his scored 0 goals and 7 assists over parts of the next 3 seasons before heading back to Europe at the age of 27 and 30 when finishing behind Tomasek.
And Ty Rattie’s name is probably even more familiar to most here. In an NHL career of 99 games over 7 seasons combined with several stints in the AHL, Rattie scored 13 goals and 30 points, significantly boosted by his time on McDavid’s wing over his 2 years in the Oilers organization. He was 26 when he gave up his NHL dream and was also 30 at the start of the season he finished a little behind Tomasek.
The NHL equivalencies for Russell and Rattie would tell you that if they came back to the NHL, they would get close to 20 goals and 45-50 points in an 82 game NHL season. Not a chance in hell. And I have looked at dozens of former NHLers who have gone overseas and almost all of the NHL equivalencies grossly exceed at a minimum their most recent NHL seasons, if not all of them. Even Kovalchuk, who went back to Russia then came back again scored only about half the points NHLe said he would get when he came back.
Maybe Tomasek is the outlier, like Derek Ryan, but I would keep my expectations low. If he is very good defensively, that would help.
I am very well aware of the history of Europeans coming to the NHL in the their late 20s.
I remain intrigued by, and excited to see, David Tomasek on the ice in Oilers camp.
What about “The Breeze” in 1991-92 Sather knew there was a NHL player inside Vladimir Ruzinka. His 39 Goals was one of the great seasons in my opinion. More than a few goals were end to end hi-light reel can you believe it goals.
He was 26 when he came to the NHL in 1989/90 after being the top player in Czechoslovakia in the seasons prior. Until the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Eastern Europe’s best players couldn’t come to the NHL (except for a tiny few who managed to defect) so that situation id not at all comparable to anything that has existed between the NHL and European leagues in at least the last 25 years.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he scores 15 he may even see top 6 duty with Leon if he impresses K.K. Does his heavier on the puck game translate better than Hass-Jurco-Kahun-Rieder that Holland brought in. If Tonasek can take the extra wear and tear he may surprise a lot of folks. Bowman has always had a good eye on the overseas plug and play players.
I can see a world in which he scored 15 – hey that’s my “hope”, although not my expectation.
Reality based on history is he’s just as likely to not be an NHL player as he is to scoring 15 goals, probably more likely.
He was 30 not 26
Per NHL.com, He was born in June 1953 and played his first game for the Oilers in January 1990 so he was 26 and a half. Even in his big season in 91/92 with Boston, he was 28 at the start of it.
Dryden is before my time but sounds like a respected player and person – very respect. Condolences to the family and those close to him.
As a player, perhaps before your time, but he was active as a writer and advocate for hockey safety at least until recent years. I was just listening to him on a podcast about head injuries in hockey.
— surprised that as a lawyer and hockey fan in at least your 40s how can you not have any knowledge of Ken Dryden !?! His impact far more reaching than his relatively short time in hockey: politics books etc
Close to my 50s…….
Of course I know who he is/was as a hockey player and a politician but his pro hockey career ended when I was 2 or 3 and I’ve never been overly “interested” in politics – more so now that it effects my bottom line and many aspects of my clients (or my clients’ clients), etc.
A lawyer who isn’t interested in politics? Were you too young for School House Rock? I’m just a Bill? BTW, everything is politics.