Explore the highlights and milestones of the 1979 80 NHL season, a pivotal year in hockey history featuring the league’s expansion, introduction of new teams like the Edmonton Oilers, and the debut of legendary players. Dive into game recaps, team performances, and key moments that defined this unforgettable season in the National Hockey League.
Introduction
As a matter of fact, the 1979-80 NHL season stands out as one of the most important chapters in the history of the NHL. This season saw the NHL undergo its transformation from a smaller, less competitive league into a larger, more competitive league by integrating four teams from the defunct World Hockey Association (WHA). A number of future stars were introduced to the sport, such as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Mike Gartner, which would influence hockey for decades to come. There was also a lot of intense action on the ice throughout the season, which culminated in the Stanley Cup victory and an exciting playoff series. The 1979-80 season is considered a cornerstone in the evolution of professional hockey as it not only expanded the league’s geographical footprint but also laid the groundwork for the modern style of play.
1979 80 NHL Season
During the 1979–80 National Hockey League season, four expansion franchises were added to the NHL from the disbanded World Hockey Association (WHA) as part of the 63rd NHL season. Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers (later renamed Hartford Whalers) and Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL as expansion franchises this season, bringing the total number of NHL teams to 21. There was a payment to the Birmingham Bulls and Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA to make them fold.
Key highlights of the season include:
- After defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the finals, the New York Islanders won their first Stanley Cup.
- Flames relocating to Calgary marked the final season in Atlanta for the Flames. The NHL would return to Atlanta in 1999 with the Thrashers, but this team would also relocate, becoming the Winnipeg Jets.
- Introducing Wayne Gretzky, a superstar rookie from the Western Hockey League, to the NHL, Gretzky tied with Marcel Dionne for the scoring lead with 137 points and won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player. Dionne received the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer.
- A record-breaking undefeated streak of 35 games (25-0-10), the longest in the history of North American professional sports, was compiled by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Regular Season:
- Each team played the other 20 teams four times regardless of their divisional affiliation.
- It was decided to create a new playoff structure in which the four division winners and the next 12 teams with the best records qualified for the playoffs.
- Joe Louis Arena became the home of the Detroit Red Wings in 1995.
- Boston Bruins were dethroned in the Adams Division by the Buffalo Sabres.
- Due in large part to an undefeated streak, the Philadelphia Flyers had the best record in the NHL with 116 points.
Rule Changes:
All NHL players are required to wear protective helmets, except for those who signed their professional contracts prior to June 1, 1979.
Playoffs:
- Due to the expansion of the league, the playoffs were expanded from a 12-team tournament to a 16-team tournament.
- In order to determine playoff seeds, regular season points were used and divisional rankings were ignored.
- Having won the Stanley Cup for the first time in four consecutive seasons, the New York Islanders are the first team in history to do so.
All-Star Teams:
In addition to two All-Star teams, players such as Tony Esposito, Larry Robinson, and Marcel Dionne were recognized for their contributions.
Player Statistics:
- There were a number of scoring leaders, including Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky, and Guy Lafleur.
- Don Edwards, Bob Sauve, and Denis Herron were the leading goaltenders.
Coaches:
Among the notable coaches for the season were Al Arbour (New York Islanders), Scotty Bowman (Buffalo Sabres), and Glen Sather (Edmonton Oilers).
Milestones:
- A number of notable players made their debuts during the season, including Ray Bourque, Mark Messier, and Wayne Gretzky.
- A number of legendary players, including Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull, also played their last games during this period.
Broadcasting:
“Hockey Night in Canada” on CBC broadcasted games, and ESPN and UA-Columbia (later USA Network) broadcast games in the U.S.
Playoff Brackt
| Preliminary round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Stanley Cup Finals | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Edmonton | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | NY Rangers | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Buffalo | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Vancouver | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Minnesota | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Montreal | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Hartford | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Buffalo | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Chicago | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Boston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Pittsburgh | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | NY Islanders | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | NY Islanders | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Los Angeles | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Montreal | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Minnesota | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Toronto | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Buffalo | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | NY Islanders | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Chicago | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | St. Louis | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Boston | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | NY Islanders | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | NY Rangers | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Awards
| Award | Winner |
| Prince of Wales Trophy | Buffalo Sabres |
| Clarence S. Campbell Bowl | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Art Ross Trophy | Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings |
| Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy | Al MacAdam, Minnesota North Stars |
| Calder Memorial Trophy | Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins |
| Conn Smythe Trophy | Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders |
| Frank J. Selke Trophy | Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens |
| Hart Memorial Trophy | Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers |
| Jack Adams Award | Pat Quinn, Philadelphia Flyers |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy | Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens |
| Lady Byng Memorial Trophy | Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers |
| Lester B. Pearson Award | Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings |
| Vezina Trophy | Don Edwards & Bob Sauve, Buffalo Sabres |
| Lester Patrick Trophy | Bobby Clarke, Edward M. Snider, Frederick A. Shero |
FAQ’s
Which team had the best regular-season record?
In terms of regular season record, the Philadelphia Flyers finished with 116 points, giving them the best record.
What was the performance of the expansion teams?
As a result, all four expansion teams finished with records below .500, with Hartford Whalers and Edmonton Oilers qualifying for the playoffs but being swept in the first round by the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers, respectively.
Which team won the Stanley Cup?
After defeating Philadelphia Flyers in the finals of the Stanley Cup, the New York Islanders won the championship.
What was notable about the Philadelphia Flyers’ season?
During the regular season, the Flyers had a remarkable 35-game undefeated streak, which contributed to their top finish in the regular season, which was a testament to their remarkable record.
How did the playoff format impact the division winners?
As a result of the change in the playoff format, division winners are no longer granted byes in the playoffs, and divisions are not considered when determining seeding of playoff matchups, which makes the regular season performance crucial for determining playoff qualification.
Conclusion
A crucial moment in hockey history occurred in the 1979-80 NHL season when the NHL and WHA merged, marking the beginning of a new era. It was this union that not only expanded the NHL but also brought legendary talents such as Wayne Gretzky to the NHL stage at that time. In the process of adjusting to the influx of new players and the increase in competition, fans witnessed thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments that shaped the sport to this day. There is no doubt that the 1979-80 season will remain a cornerstone in the rich tapestry of NHL history, with its combination of tradition and innovation.