Phil Esposito, silky moves on display here -1966

Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make…powerhouse Hawks eliminated in 1st round 67 by Leafs…looking to change things up

He never has good chemistry with Hull.

Jesus saves, Esposito scores on the rebound!

I always thought if you lined up Espo’s 778 career goals end to end the distance would have been about 200 feet.

You don’t see too many practice clips from those days! Espo could fly in the early days!

Not slow then

My dad was in Boston and flew on the same plane Bruins were on who were coming in to o play the Red Wings. I was 12. Smoking a big cigar. Sanderson as well. Scared me to death .Sanderson had a huge scar on the left side of his face.

I never thought of Espo as a fleet skater. Watching him on the Rangers he just seemed to always be in front of the net. I hated and still hate the Rangers but growing up in NY I had no choice if I wanted to watch hockey but I will say I loved his commentary as a color analyst.

I had a similar opinion because I've only seen Phil play once in person ('79) and he was approaching retirement age then. I thought of him only as a garbage goal collector.

@Steve534973026 Even late in his career Espo was never a garbage collector. He was unmovable in the slot and a great passer.

@hogamadog And a great leader. He was the leader of that 72 Summit Series.

I like those old nets. The puck would actually stay in there more than a half-second.

Yes, and when a player scored, the baggy nets would give in a satisfying snap, not unlike like the swish of a basketball when it goes through the hoop.

Glenn Hall wearing a mask during practice.

Good eye. I suspect that mask as something to do with facing Bobby Hull's shots in practice everyday.

Yes, for sure and Dennis, too! I think some of the other goalies did, too. Like Bower and Gump.

Funny how memory files a player under one specialty. Phil Esposito owned the slot with great hands, but 873 assists and five scoring titles tell you he drove offence, not just cleaned up rebounds. I wish I had more than highlights and the Summit Series to see the whole player. 🥅

has to be one of the dumbest trades Blackhawks ever made

who's the goalie? glenn hall wore #1 from '58 to '67 but although i'm too young to remember, that doesn't look like him. and he never wore a mask in a game until '68 with the blues but i guess he coulda' wore it in a practice. just curious.

He couldn’t skate with today’s players

and Jesse Owens wouldn't beat Usain Bolt in the 100-meter. What's your point?

lol are there just two guys on the ice?