Didn't see him play, but I often ask older people about players I never got a chance to watch.
What I've gathered mostly about Sittler was that he was a great player. But his statistical dominance over other Leaf greats obviously has to be taken with a grain of salt because of the era he played in.
Sittler (imo) is sometimes misrepresented when people talk about him as a player. I've read a few articles about his smooth finesse style and I don't think that represents him well at all.
Sittler was an extremely intense skill center, very fiery and could send the crowd into a lather. He played against the other team's top center for most of his career, and was a very good PP performer.
He emerged quite quickly after his being drafted as a plus player and then a team leader. His first big season came when switched from LW to C (Jim Harrison was his center early on) and he flourished.
He was a class act who deserved better from his front office, although he may have been involved in a few more off ice episodes than one would like of their best player. Then again, when you're dealing with Harold Ballard, I don't know if that is something one can avoid.
The only really sad thing about his career is that he didn't win a Stanley. Although Sittler played at a very high level for a decade beginning in 1972, the Leafs at that time were not a championship team in the front office and I'm sure you don't need me to elaborate.
Sittler (imo) is sometimes misrepresented when people talk about him as a player. I've read a few articles about his smooth finesse style and I don't think that represents him well at all.
Sittler was an extremely intense skill center, very fiery and could send the crowd into a lather. He played against the other team's top center for most of his career, and was a very good PP performer.
He emerged quite quickly after his being drafted as a plus player and then a team leader. His first big season came when switched from LW to C (Jim Harrison was his center early on) and he flourished.
He was a class act who deserved better from his front office, although he may have been involved in a few more off ice episodes than one would like of their best player. Then again, when you're dealing with Harold Ballard, I don't know if that is something one can avoid.
The only really sad thing about his career is that he didn't win a Stanley. Although Sittler played at a very high level for a decade beginning in 1972, the Leafs at that time were not a championship team in the front office and I'm sure you don't need me to elaborate.
No, no...we really don't. Thanks for the perspective. Who would you compare Sittler to in more recent times?
Please share thoughts memories and opinions on his skills flaws toughness and overall greatness?
If you didnt see him play ask your parents or grandparents about him.
I myself didn't watch the 10 point game but I heard the cheering by my dad and his friends in the next room I was maybe 6 or 7.
If it helps Sittler's 10 point night occurred on February 20, 1976.
That was one on my favourite Leaf moments of all time, I had Sittler in my hockey pool and he was my Fav Leaf and NHLer at the time .. It was great .. Everything he touched went in .. 6 goals 4 assists .. Boston Goalie Dave Reece last game in the NHL as a result .
I was 6-7 when the Leafs won the last cup in 1967 .. So other then remembering sitting around the Black and White TV with my father and George Armstrong hitting the empty net to make it 3-1 Toronto, for the most part its a blur.. I do remember pointing out my hero #14 Davey Keon to my dad, 100 times in the game when ever he was on ice .. I remember pointing him out and then with my finger following him around on the ice only to have dad tell me to come over here and sit down.
No, no...we really don't. Thanks for the perspective. Who would you compare Sittler to in more recent times?
I think Leaf Lander and I must be about the same age, so although I have watched Sittler I was quite young. I think I saw the 10 pt game, but I was probably playing hockey with a rolled up sock and a piece of board at the same time.
Nevertheless I remember him (helped by all that I've read since) as a player with few weaknesses. He had great offensive skills, but I've never heard that he was a liability defensively. He had a feisty attitude and was not intimidated by anyone. In another thread I cited his famous fight with Bobby Clarke before the first puck drop of a playoff game. He had the ability to inspire his team mates.
This might be a good time to confess that I was a Flyers and Bobby Clarke fan at that age. I have repented of my sins, since.
Most significantly, in my mind, he was a classy player who loved the Leafs. I get the sense that he was a true captain in every sense.
So with that in mind, one comparison that occurs to me is Steve Yzerman. What do others think of that?
Sakic is a good comparison, but I thought Sittler was more of a voal leader than Sakic. At least he had that reputation.
Stevie Y is also a good comparison to modern day players ..
That was some what true .. I guessing you mean vocal that is ..
Lots of that had to do with Ballard and his hatred for Alan Eagleson clients of which Sittler, MacDonald, where a few .. The players followed and supported Darryl in the Dressing room and he took on Ballard as the Captain .. he got stripped of his "C" and ridiculed and made the scape goat .. But he took it .. When he wouldn't break Harold had his best buddy Lanny traded and eventually it just got to much and he was shipped out of town for his own good at the end.
However in peaceful times he wasn't very vocal on the ice at all, he lead by example and Tiger Williams and Dan Maloney and other carried the on ice rallying..
Sittler's impact on the Leafs was similar to Gilmour .. He just made everyone around him better and when you need goals and points it was usually up to Sittler to lead the charge .. In the modern era post Stanley Cup I think the leaf team of Sittler, McDonald, Williams, Salming, Turnbull and Palmateer was one of the most talented Leafs teams assembled rivalled only by today's UFA world and free spending Leafs ..
Sittler also looked after himself on the ice. He'd fight anybody and as I recall, he was pretty good.
He was very principled. He was a very good leader for the circumstances Ballard tried to place his teammates in.
He had a tough go of it as Captain, fighting an insane, criminal owner off the ice and through some pretty violent hockey on the ice. He stood up and rose above it very well.
In my opinion, he is easily one of the greatest Leafs in spite of no Cup. To me, he was a better Leaf than most who won four Cups for the Leafs in the 60s.
sundin was awsome in 1976 when he scored 10 points
don't understand what this means, unless you meant to say Sittler was awesome....
although I don't really like comparing players of different era's, Sakic probably isn't too bad of a comparison. I also don't think of a smooth skating sniper when I think of ol' 27. He fought for his space. Played tough - not a small player, but certainly not huge either - and played smart. Nice touch around the net. He bled blue blood and its too bad he played for Ballard. Painfull to see him in a Flyers and Red Wings uniform.
So Sittler was a better player than Sundin. Agree?
They belong in the same ball park. They are both star players but neither is/was the dominant player of their era. Sittler had many great qualities, and I did vote for him as best Leaf of all time on the recent poll, but to some extent that was an emotional response.
Sundin's size and strength set him apart as a different kind of player.
They both had/have impressive statistical success considering the eras they played in. Both will be remembered as the key figure in their decade with the Leafs.
I don't think there is any simple way to say which is better. If someone says Sittler was "way better," that's either excessive nostalgia or an anti-Sundin bias.
. . .
I also don't think of a smooth skating sniper when I think of ol' 27. He fought for his space. Played tough - not a small player, but certainly not huge either - and played smart . . .
Good description. There was a littlbe bit of Gilmour in his style, although he was not quite that agressive.
Who said that ?? .. I was answering the question as to modern day comparison to Sittler style wise .. on and off the ice and I chose to compare him to the very classy Joe Sakic in that respect ..
I think Sundin is definitely more skilled as a scorer/offensive player. It's a tough call on who was/is better overall. I'd say they're pretty close.
based on what? Sundin may be a have a little more finesse, but points per game go to Sittler. Who, by the way, had even less to play with than Mats did.
I saw him play in Jr. for London when they'd play Mtl.. He'd face off against Perreault.Not a bad matchup. I don't quite see the Sakic/Yzerman comparison as their games are built a little more on quickness as opposed to Sittler, who played a bit more of a power game. He did everything pretty well, had the full skill package. Maybe somewhere in between Thornton and Lecavalier ? Not as mean as Joe,not as fast as Vinny but probably a better player.
Who said that ?? .. I was answering the question as to modern day comparison to Sittler style wise .. on and off the ice and I chose to compare him to the very classy Joe Sakic in that respect ..
You did.
If you're comparing styles, Sakic doesn't grind it out like Sittler used to.
Offensively its hard to compare players from different eras, but intangibles like intensity and grit can easily be compared.
Thanks for the perspective. Who would you compare Sittler to in more recent times?
