Boston Bruins Throwback: Could B’s have signed Hedberg and Nilsson
Swedes Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson are probably best known for the line they shared with the legendary Bobby Hull. The trifecta spent four years together on the infamous line dubbed ‘The Hot Line’. In that time winning two AVCO cups (1976,1978) in the WHA.
In a recent book ‘The Hot Line’ published by author Geoff Kirbyson it is revealed that then General Manager of the Boston Bruins, Harry Sinden, was interested in the Swedish pair.
Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson are most certainly two of the greatest players to ever take the ice. Possessing seamless skating and phenomenal hockey IQ. Hedberg would amass 458 points in just 286 WHA with the Winnipeg Jets. Adding 397 points in 465 games with the New York Rangers.
Ulf Nilsson would score 484 points in 300 WHA games. Finishing his career also with the New York Rangers just short of a point-per-game average on 169 points in 170 games.
A Potential Bid?
When Harry Sinden was asked if the Bruins were kicking tires on a deal for the Swedish duo he replied…
"“We were paying attention to them, we all were. We knew Hull very well from the NHL and both Hedberg and Nilsson were sensational players. There was always the thought amongst us that the leagues would merge, the WHA would disband and those players would become available. Everybody was very interested in the very possibility of Nilsson or Hedberg playing for them”The Hot Line, Geoff Kirbyson, P.116"
`So, could the Bruins have made an approach for the two future hall of famers? Alas it appears that the Bruins were one of few teams that didn’t table a bid. Sinden said…
"“I don’t think we made an offer. I might have been one of the three teams that didn’t. I was talking to Baizley about it but I don’t think we put together a bonafide offer. They were probably too expensive for me.”The Hot Line, Geoff Kirbyson, P.116"
Well there have it Bruins fans, what might have been if the B’s had made a concrete offer for the two. Is it too much to say that Hedberg and Nilsson would’ve helped Boston in the late seventies and early eighties to a Stanley Cup? I don’t think so, these two were generational hockey players who revolutionised the way the game is played.