NHL mock draft: How all-time greats fit 2018 needs

The Ottawa Senators, as mentioned earlier, have multiple needs. We’ve already got them a franchise defenseman in Raymond Bourque. The Senators have a desperate need for a franchise center as well. They’ll be getting one of the NHL’s best centers ever in Marcel Dionne.

Most people probably aren’t too familiar with him. Ever hear of “East Coast bias”? Well, back in the 1970s, it was a real thing. After Dionne was traded from the Detroit Red Wings to the Los Angeles Kings, people didn’t hear about him too much. Remember, the ’70s were before games were televised regularly. So often times, fans and media members had to go out of their way to read up on what was happening on the West Coast.

During his career, Dionne won two Pearson Trophies and two Lady Byng Trophies. This perhaps reflects the east coast bias he faced. Dionne did, however, finished second and third in those two seasons he won the Pearson (now known as the Ted Lindsay). In 1979-80, he led the NHL in scoring.

Dionne is a critical figure in the history of the Kings. Sure, Wayne Gretzky gets most of the credit for turning California into a hockey state. And rightfully so. But Dionne gave him a heck of a foundation to build on.