Defending champion Toronto acquired future Hall of Famer Max Bentley in the biggest trade in NHL history, then raced to a 32-15-12 season to top the standings. The Leafs needed only nine games to win two best-of-seven playoff rounds, including a Finals sweep of Detroit, the regular-season’s second-place team.

The early-season trade for Bentley, who became Toronto’s leading scorer (26-28-54), sent four players to Chicago, including top-six scorers Gaye Stewart (27-29-56) and Bud Poile (27-27-54), who were both second-team all-stars, but the Blackhawks still finished last, despite also having No. 3 scorer Doug Bentley (20-37-57).

The Bentley trade also broke up the famed Pony Line in Chicago. This season also marked the end of Montreal’s famed Punch Line, when Toe Blake was injured, then retired, and Boston’s famed Kraut Line when Bobby Bauer retired. But 1947-48 marked the birth of an even better line when second-year man Gordie Howe joined Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay on the Production Line. Lindsay led the NHL with 33 goals.

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18 cards per team. Additional players available on the print disk that comes with card set.