On This Day August 20th.

August 20: On this day in 1973, former 8-time Stanley Cup winner and Hall-of-Famer Leonard "Red" Kelly was hired as head coach of the Maple Leafs. Over four complete seasons between 1973 and 1977, Kelly compiled a winning record of 133-123-62. During the 1976 Quarterfinals against the Flyers, Red Kelly utilized his ‘Pyramid Power’ theory believing that pyramids were a source of energy and strength. The Leaf coach placed small pyramids in the dressing room and under the bench. It didn't work. For three consecutive years between 1975 and 1977, the Philadelphia Flyers knocked Red Kelly and the Leafs out of the playoffs. Kelly was fired in June of 1977. 

August 20: On this day in 1992, the Leafs stole a top notch defenseman in Sylvain Lefebvre from the Montreal Canadiens for a 3rd round draft choice. For the next two seasons, Lefebvre was a stalwart on Toronto's blueline, especially in 1993-94 when he was a plus-33, helping the Leafs to make the Conference Finals for the 2nd straight year. Unfortunately, Lefebvre was given up by the Leafs to Quebec in the trade to acquire Mats Sundin. He went on to win a Cup with Colorado in 1996.

August 20: On this day in 1997, the Leafs named Ken Dryden as General Manager. Dryden added Anders Hedberg, Mike Smith and Bill Watters to his management team. While promising a better team on the ice, Dryden retained head coach Mike Murphy and the Leafs finished last in their Division in 1997-98 and out of the playoffs for a second consecutive season.


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