A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Five Former Habs Who Looked Odd In New Colors

By Ken MacMillan

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 28: Guy Lafleur #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on January 28, 1989 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto tied New York 1-1. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 28: Guy Lafleur #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on January 28, 1989 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto tied New York 1-1. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 6: Larry Robinson #19 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on January 6, 1990 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto defeated Los Angeles 7-4. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 6: Larry Robinson #19 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on January 6, 1990 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto defeated Los Angeles 7-4. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

3. Larry Robinson

When you think of Larry Robinson, you probably think of the Habs last great dynasty of the late 1970’s. He was a huge part of that team that won four straight Stanley Cups to end that decade as a member of its famed “Big Three” blue liners with Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe.

Robinson was drafted in the second round of the 1971 draft, and played his first full season for the Habs in 1973-74. He quickly became a key part of one of the best teams of all-time, as he scored 85 points in 1976-77, winning the first of two Norris Trophy’s.

After winning five Stanley Cups in the 70’s, Robinson stuck around long enough to win another in 1986. He was still a dominating presence, scoring 82 points in 78 games that season and using his  huge frame to provide exceptional defence while scoring over a point per game. Robinson was still in Montreal when they lost to the Calgary Flames in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final, but he then left.

While with the Habs, Robinson proved to be among the best defenders that ever played in Montreal. Only Henri Richard played more than the 1202 regular season games Robinson suited up for in a Habs sweater. Robinson’s 197 goals and 883 points rank first among all Habs defensemen.

Robinson was then off to the west coast to play for the Los Angeles Kings. He would go on to play his final three seasons with the Kings, though he was no longer the same dominating physical player that he was when the Habs were winning Stanley Cups every year.

Robinson finally retired in 1992, shortly before his 41st birthday. He didn’t play a huge role for the Kings, but even after three years there is still looks strange to see Larry Robinson wearing any jersey other than the one that he wore for so long in Montreal.

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