1976–77 Cleveland Barons season

The 1976–77 Cleveland Barons season was the first season for this franchise in Cleveland, after nine seasons in the San Francisco Bay Area as the Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals. The Barons displaced the World Hockey Association's Cleveland Crusaders, who elected to relocate to Minnesota and become the Minnesota Fighting Saints.

The Barons played in the tough Adams Division and spent most of the season in last place. Midway through the season, majority owner Melvin Swig announced the team might have trouble finishing the season. The club missed payroll twice in February, and only a loan from the league and NHLPA kept the team afloat. Following the season, minority owner George Gund III purchased a controlling interest in the club.

Offseason

Amateur draft

The franchise participated in the 1976 Amateur Draft as the California Golden Seals, the move to Cleveland not being approved until mid-July.

Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team 1 5. Bjorn Johansson HK Örebro (Sweden Division 1) 2 23. Vern Stenlund London Knights (OMJHL) 3 41. Mike Fidler Boston University Terriers (ECAC) 4 59. Warren Young Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA) 5 77. Darcy Regier Lethbridge Broncos (WCHL) 5 79. Cal Sandbeck University of Denver Pioneers (WCHA) 6 95. Jouni Rinne Lukko (SM-liiga)

Regular season National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p.163, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario,

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

| 1 || October 6, 1976 || Los Angeles || 2–2 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 8,899 || 0–0–1 || 1 ||

| 2 || October 9, 1976 || Washington || 6–3 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,209 || 1–0–1 || 3 ||

| 3 || October 10, 1976 || @ Boston || 3–4 || Meloche || Boston Garden || 10,269 || 1–1–1 || 3 ||

| 4 || October 13, 1976 || Atlanta || 2–4 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,812 || 1–2–1 || 3 ||

| 5 || October 16, 1976 || @ N.Y. Islanders || 4–4 || Simmons || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 14,289 || 1–2–2 || 4 ||

| 6 || October 19, 1976 || Chicago || 3–0 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,653 || 2–2–2 || 6 ||

| 7 || October 21, 1976 || St. Louis || 6–2 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,453 || 3–2–2 || 8 ||

| 8 || October 26, 1976 || N.Y. Rangers || 2–5 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,716 || 3–3–2 || 8 ||

| 9 || October 28, 1976 || @ Vancouver || 1–3 || Meloche || Pacific Coliseum || || 3–4–2 || 8 ||

| 10 || October 30, 1976 || @ Los Angeles || 3–4 || Simmons || The Forum || 10,840 || 3–5–2 || 8 ||

| 11 || November 1, 1976 || Toronto || 3–6 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,488 || 3–6–2 || 8 ||

| 12 || November 3, 1976 || Los Angeles || 2–4 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,157 || 3–7–2 || 8 ||

| 13 || November 5, 1976 || Philadelphia || 6–4 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 10,297 || 4–7–2 || 10 ||

| 14 || November 7, 1976 || Pittsburgh || 2–2 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,617 || 4–7–3 || 11 ||

| 15 || November 10, 1976 || @ Colorado || 2–1 || Meloche || McNichols Sports Arena || 6,447 || 5–7–3 || 13 ||

| 16 || November 12, 1976 || @ Atlanta || 3–3 || Simmons || The Omni || 9,431 || 5–7–4 || 14 ||

| 17 || November 14, 1976 || @ Washington || 3–2 || Meloche || Capital Centre || 7,287 || 6–7–4 || 16 ||

| 18 || November 16, 1976 || @ Los Angeles || 0–0 || Simmons || The Forum || 9,724 || 6–7–5 || 17 ||

| 19 || November 17, 1976 || @ Minnesota || 3–3 || Meloche || Met Center || 7,311 || 6–7–6 || 18 ||

| 20 || November 19, 1976 || @ Detroit || 2–5 || Simmons || Detroit Olympia || 8,092 || 6–8–6 || 18 ||

| 21 || November 24, 1976 || Montreal || 1–8 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 11,774 || 6–9–6 || 18 ||

| 22 || November 26, 1976 || Pittsburgh || 1–3 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 6,374 || 6–10–6 || 18 ||

| 23 || November 28, 1976 || @ Toronto || 1–5 || Meloche || Maple Leaf Gardens || 16,485 || 6–11–6 || 18 ||

| 24 || December 1, 1976 || @ Colorado || 3–5 || Simmons || McNichols Sports Arena || 3,373 || 6–12–6 || 18 ||

| 25 || December 3, 1976 || St. Louis || 2–2 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,444 || 6–12–7 || 19 ||

| 26 || December 5, 1976 || @ Philadelphia || 2–6 || Simmons || Spectrum || 17,077 || 6–13–7 || 19 ||

| 27 || December 6, 1976 || @ Montreal || 0–1 || Meloche || Montreal Forum || 15,821 || 6–14–7 || 19 ||

| 28 || December 8, 1976 || Buffalo || 1–5 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,960 || 6–15–7 || 19 ||

| 29 || December 10, 1976 || Washington || 7–1 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,774 || 7–15–7 || 21 ||

| 30 || December 11, 1976 || @ Washington || 4–2 || Meloche || Capital Centre || 12,001 || 8–15–7 || 23 ||

| 31 || December 15, 1976 || Detroit || 7–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,220 || 9–15–7 || 25 ||

| 32 || December 16, 1976 || @ Pittsburgh || 4–5 || Meloche || Civic Arena || 7,127 || 9–16–7 || 25 ||

| 33 || December 18, 1976 || Boston || 6–4 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 7,222 || 10–16–7 || 27 ||

| 34 || December 19, 1976 || @ N.Y. Rangers || 2–3 || Meloche || Madison Square Garden || 17,500 || 10–17–7 || 27 ||

| 35 || December 22, 1976 || Minnesota || 4–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,496 || 11–18–7 || 29 ||

| 36 || December 26, 1976 || @ Boston || 3–6 || Meloche || Boston Garden || 13,703 || 11–18–7 || 29 ||

| 37 || December 27, 1976 || @ Montreal || 2–4 || Meloche || Montreal Forum || 16,851 || 11–19–7 || 29 ||

| 38 || December 29, 1976 || Toronto || 2–6 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,464 || 11–20–7 || 29 ||

| 39 || December 31, 1976 || @ Detroit || 2–4 || Simmons || Detroit Olympia || 10,107 || 11–21–7 || 29 ||

| 40 || January 1, 1977 || Philadelphia || 2–7 || Simmons || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,331 || 11–22–7 || 29 ||

| 41 || January 5, 1977 || Boston || 2–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,166 || 11–23–7 || 29 ||

| 42 || January 7, 1977 || Vancouver || 8–4 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,368 || 12–23–7 || 31 ||

| 43 || January 9, 1977 || @ Buffalo || 4–7 || Meloche || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 16,433 || 12–24–7 || 31 ||

| 44 || January 12, 1977 || Detroit || 3–1 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,429 || 13–24–7 || 33 ||

| 45 || January 15, 1977 || @ Vancouver || 4–2 || Meloche || Pacific Coliseum || || 14–24–7 || 35 ||

| 46 || January 19, 1977 || N.Y. Rangers || 3–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,818 || 14–24–8 || 36 ||

| 47 || January 21, 1977 || Boston || 2–5 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 6,371 || 14–25–8 || 36 ||

| 48 || January 23, 1977 || @ Buffalo || 0–3 || Edwards || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 16,433 || 12–26–8 || 36 ||

| 49 || January 29, 1977 || @ Detroit || 3–4 || Meloche || Detroit Olympia || 8,197 || 15–26–8 || 38 ||

| 50 || January 30, 1977 || @ Chicago || 3–9 || Edwards || Chicago Stadium || || 15–27–8 || 38 ||

| 51 || February 1, 1977 || Montreal || 3–7 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,127 || 15–28–8 || 38 ||

| 52 || February 3, 1977 || Pittsburgh || 0–0 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,179 || 15–28–9 || 39 ||

| 53 || February 5, 1977 || Chicago || 3–2 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,236 || 16–28–9 || 41 ||

| 54 || February 9, 1977 || Los Angeles || 6–3 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,225 || 17–28–9 || 43 ||

| 55 || February 11, 1977 || Colorado || 3–0 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,112 || 18–28–9 || 45 ||

| 56 || February 13, 1977 || @ Boston || 2–4 || Edwards || Boston Garden || 10,295 || 18–29–9 || 45 ||

| 57 || February 16, 1977 || Toronto || 3–5 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 4,308 || 18–30–9 || 45 ||

| 58 || February 18, 1977 || Colorado || 3–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 5,191 || 18–30–10 || 46 ||

| 59 || February 20, 1977 || @ Pittsburgh || 1–4 || Edwards || Civic Arena || 10,599 || 18–31–10 || 46 ||

| 60 || February 23, 1977 || Buffalo || 3–5 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 3,185 || 18–32–10 || 46 ||

| 61 || February 25, 1977 || N.Y. Islanders || 1–2 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 6,449 || 18–33–10 || 46 ||

| 62 || February 26, 1977 || @ Montreal || 3–5 || Meloche || Montreal Forum || 16,734 || 18–34–10 || 46 ||

| 63 || February 28, 1977 || @ St. Louis || 5–2 || Meloche || The Checkerdome || 15,467 || 19–34–10 || 48 ||

| 64 || March 2, 1977 || @ Toronto || 4–1 || Edwards || Maple Leaf Gardens || 16,408 || 20–34–10 || 50 ||

| 65 || March 5, 1977 || @ Atlanta || 2–1 || Meloche || The Omni || 13,341 || 21–34–10 || 52 ||

| 66 || March 6, 1977 || @ N.Y. Rangers || 3–4 || Edwards || Madison Square Garden || 17,500 || 21–35–10 || 52 ||

| 67 || March 10, 1977 || @ Philadelphia || 2–7 || Meloche || Spectrum || 17,077 || 21–36–10 || 52 ||

| 68 || March 12, 1977 || @ N.Y. Islanders || 3–8 || Edwards || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 15,317 || 21–37–10 || 52 ||

| 69 || March 15, 1977 || @ Washington || 5–1 || Meloche || Capital Centre || 7,374 || 22–37–10 || 54 ||

| 70 || March 16, 1977 || Buffalo || 2–6 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 11,189 || 22–38–10 || 54 ||

| 71 || March 18, 1977 || Minnesota || 2–2 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 9,165 || 22–38–11 || 55 ||

| 72 || March 20, 1977 || Atlanta || 5–4 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 10,829 || 23–38–11 || 57 ||

| 73 || March 21, 1977 || @ Toronto || 7–2 || Edwards || Maple Leaf Gardens || 16,485 || 24–38–11 || 59 ||

| 74 || March 23, 1977 || @ Buffalo || 2–4 || Edwards || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 16,433 || 22–38–10 || 59 ||

| 75 || March 25, 1977 || Vancouver || 4–4 || Edwards || Coliseum at Richfield || 11,816 || 24–39–12 || 60 ||

| 76 || March 27, 1977 || N.Y. Islanders || 3–6 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 10,794 || 24–39–12 || 60 ||

| 77 || March 29, 1977 || @ Minnesota || 2–4 || Edwards || Met Center || 9,548 || 24–39–12 || 60 ||

| 78 || March 30, 1977 || Philadelphia || 3–3 || Meloche || Coliseum at Richfield || 10,216 || 24–40–13 || 61 ||

| 79 || April 2, 1977 || @ St. Louis || 2–9 || Edwards || The Checkerdome || 16,841 || 24–42–13 || 61 ||

| 80 || April 3, 1977 || @ Chicago || 4–2 || Meloche || Chicago Stadium || || 25–42–13 || 63 ||

Legend:

Detailed records

Wales Conference Opponent Home Away Total Pts. Goals scored Goals allowed Adams Division Boston Bruins 1–2–0 0–3–0 1–5–0 2 18 26 Buffalo Sabres 0–3–0 1–2–0 1–5–0 2 15 27 Cleveland Barons – – – – – – Toronto Maple Leafs 0–3–0 2–1–0 2–4–0 4 20 25 1–8–0 3–6–0 4–14–0 8 53 78 Norris Division Detroit Red Wings 2–0–0 0–3–0 2–3–0 4 17 17 Los Angeles Kings 1–1–1 0–1–1 1–2–2 4 13 13 Montreal Canadiens 0–2–0 0–3–0 0–5–0 0 9 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–1–2 0–2–0 0–3–2 2 12 14 Washington Capitals 2–0–0 3–0–0 5–0–0 10 25 9 5–4–3 3–9–1 8–13–4 20 76 78

Campbell Conference Opponent Home Away Total Pts. Goals scored Goals allowed Patrick Division Atlanta Flames 1–1–0 1–0–1 2–1–1 5 12 12 New York Islanders 0–2–0 0–1–1 0–3–1 1 11 20 New York Rangers 0–1–1 0–2–0 0–3–1 1 10 15 Philadelphia Flyers 1–1–1 0–2–0 1–3–1 3 15 27 1–5–2 2–5–2 3–10–4 10 48 74 Smythe Division Chicago Black Hawks 2–0–0 1–1–0 3–1–0 6 13 13 Colorado Rockies 1–0–1 1–1–0 2–1–1 5 15 15 Minnesota North Stars 1–0–1 0–1–0 1–1–2 4 11 12 St. Louis Blues 1–0–1 1–1–0 2–1–1 4 15 15 Vancouver Canucks 1–0–1 1–1–0 2–1–1 5 17 13 6–0–4 4–5–0 10–5–5 21 71 68

Player stats

Skaters Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes