Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohashi_Jouzu
No matter how beloved, he was a career AHLer who joined Toronto in his mid-30s and stuck around long enough to finally enjoy some team success as part of the last Leafs dynasty while in his late 30s/early 40s. I would, personally, have a hard time rating that too highly, regardless of team success and GAAs from ~10 game playoff samples and seasons platooning with Sawchuk as a 40 year old.
|
I'm critical of Bower's high placement on past top 100 lists on this board too, but I think this is too far. He was a 3 time MVP of the AHL in an era where his only chance to play in the NHL was to beat out Toronto's existing starter in a 6 team league.
And when he platooned with post-prime Sawchuk, Bower usually badly outperformed Terry in both GAA and reconstructed save %
I did ask in a previous round what makes Bower's NHL career much better than Billy Smith's, though. I do think Bower's AHL dominance in the Original 6 adds to his resume, but how much?