1978-79 O-Pee-Chee 39 Robert Picard Hockey Card (Front)
1978-79 O-Pee-Chee 39 Robert Picard Hockey Card (Back)
1978-79 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
Robert has both the size and mobility to play tough NHL defense and the kind of puckhandling ability and shot from the point that can spark an offense. He’s the nephew of Noel Picard, former defenseman in the league.
En Français
Robert possède la stature et la mobilité pour faire sa marque à la défensive. Il a aussi la capacité de manier la rondelle et de lancer de la pointe pour initier une attaque. Son oncle, Noël Picard, est un ancien défenseur dans la Ligue Nationale.
Details
For 1978-79, Robert Picard was entering what would be his career year. The blueliner scored 21 goals and added 44 assists for 65 points, all career highs. He was given a look for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman finishing sixth in voting, a good distance behind Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders, the overwhelming choice for the award.
Picard was the third overall pick by the Washington Capitals at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft, behind just Dale McCourt (Detroit) and Barry Beck (Colorado). Washington didn’t hold on to him long. After three seasons with the Caps, Robert was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with Tim Coulis for goaltender Mike Palmateer on June 11, 1980.
Unfortunately, Toronto missed having Palmateer in net with Jiri Crha and the aging Jim Rutherford just not cutting it. Picard was sent to the Montreal Canadiens on March 10, 1981 after playing just 59 games for the Maple Leafs, in exchange for goalie Michel Larocque.
Between 1977-78 and 1989-90, Robert Picard played in 899 regular season and 36 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Capitals, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques and Detroit Red Wings. Ironically, he would play more games with the Nordiques than any other team – Quebec also drafted him in the fourth round of the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft.