In 1976, the Montreal Canadiens won the first of four straight Stanley Cups. Led by such illustrious names as Lafleur and Mahovlich, and with Ken Dryden in net, the Habs were a force for most of a decade. Yet without the line of Gainey, Jarvis, and Chartraw, Bowman's Canadiens might never have had that success. Gainey's line became the best two-way line in the game, and was used against the best offensive firepower of the day to shut down the top players, starting with Clarke's line in the Finals against Philadelphia in '76.
With the league calling for yet another crackdown on obstruction, and making all the right noise about being serious for once, will the importance of the checking line decrease? Many players, fans, and NHL managers like the idea of the stars of the league getting to show off without getting shut down by grinding and clutching two-way forwards seen as less skilled - and less entertaining - players.
And the truth of it is, they're right. The rampant use of clutching and grabbing in the neutral zone slows down one of the fastest games in the world. It makes it easier for less-skilled players to play against the superstars that fans tune in to see, and tougher for the league to showcase the stunning skills of its best players. But they've never stuck by their annual "crackdown on obstruction", and unless the league stops it, the coaches and players won't. Slowing down the other team is a winning strategy in any sport. Assuming the league who cried "no holding" follows through this time, the fans could be watching a completely different kind of game.
But that doesn't mean the absence of checking lines. The opposite
is true, in fact; a player with the skills to be successful at shutting
down opposing players while still staying within the rules will be more
valuable than ever. Players in the mold of Bob Gainey will remain able to perform their job and
free up the scorers while staying on the ice with the opposing team's
top line. These players may actually get the recognition they
deserve, as the number of forwards able to legally impede scoring
dwindle. Fans will find out quickly enough who can perform in the new
NHL, assuming there is a new NHL and not the same old routine.
After the parade to the penalty box slows down, those left getting ice
time will be fast, skilled players who don't let their counterparts get
a step on them.
Guys like Bob Gainey.