Ken Dryden

In May 1974, Dryden signed a big contract to return to play for the Canadiens, giving him something in the neighborhood of $450,000-600,000 over three years. He had considered playing for the World Hockey Association, and had a significant offer. But Dryden decided he was better off with the Canadiens. It took some time for him to regain his form. While the Canadiens did make the playoffs, his goals against during the regular season was a career-high 2.69. The team did not make it to the finals.

Though some in Montreal wondered if the team had made a mistake in re-signing Dryden, he proved his worth during each of the next four seasons. From 1976-79, he won the Vezina Trophy every year, and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup every year. In 1975-76, he had a goals against of 2.03. His best season was arguably 1976-77, where in fifty-six games, Dryden had a goals against of 2.14 with ten shutouts. In the playoffs, had a goals against of 1.56 with four shutouts in fourteen games.