1936–37 NHL season

League business

Frank Calder had been naming the top rookies since 1932–33. This year, he began purchasing a trophy for the top rookie, and Syl Apps was the winner. The Great Depression continued affecting the NHL; two teams had folded since the start of the decade, and the New York Americans appeared likely to become the third. Instead of allowing the team to cease operations due to financial and ownership problems, the league assumed control for the 1936–37 season.

Team owner Bill Dwyer sued, and a settlement allowed Dwyer to retain ownership while the NHL ran the team, with Dwyer given an opportunity to repay his debts. The Montreal Maroons, short of money, sold their star and captain Hooley Smith to Boston. Carl Voss of the former Eagles was expected to fill in but contracted influenza and was ineffective. Bob Gracie began scoring, and the Maroons nearly overtook the Canadiens for first place in the Canadian Division.

Regular season

The New York Americans started in first place, but influenza struck their players and the team declined. Roy Worters suffered a hernia and retired; Alfie Moore and Lorne Chabot proved inadequate replacements, and the Amerks finished last in the Canadian Division. On November 16, 1936, Hal Winkler debuted for the New York Rangers with a 1–0 shutout over the Montreal Maroons, becoming the first goaltender to record a shutout in his NHL debut. The Montreal Canadiens, who had finished last in 1935–36, acquired Babe Siebert to strengthen their defense and bought Howie Morenz back from the Rangers.

The Canadiens rose from last to first in the Canadian Division. In January 1937, Morenz suffered a badly fractured leg when his left skate caught in the dasher of the end boards while being checked by Earl Seibert of Chicago. He suffered a nervous breakdown worrying about his recovery, and on March 8, 1937, X-rays revealed blood clots in his healing leg. An operation was scheduled for the next day, but after eating a light supper and telling the nurse he wanted to rest, a blood clot stopped his heart; attempts to revive him failed.

Thousands filed past his bier, many in tears. The season was injury-filled for many stars. Boston's Eddie Shore, already suffering from a bad back, broke a vertebra and missed the rest of the season. Charlie Conacher of the Maple Leafs repeatedly injured his wrist, costing him much of the season, and was never the same player.

Minor injuries led Lionel Conacher to retire at year's end, while Sylvio Mantha and Roy Worters suffered career-ending injuries. Other stars missing weeks or the season included Red Wings captain Doug Young, Larry Aurie, Russ Blinco, Buzz Boll, Pit Lepine, Dave Trottier, Toe Blake, and Art Chapman.

Playoffs

The playoff format changed. Two-game total-goal series were dropped in the lower repechage bracket, replaced by best-of-three matchups. The top three teams from each division made the playoffs. The two division winners faced off in a best-of-five semifinal. The second- and third-place teams from each division played best-of-three series to fill the other semifinal slot. Those semifinal winners then met in a best-of-five Stanley Cup Finals.