Edited sentence: Aging right-wingers Hooley Smith and Charlie Conacher were not very effective on defence.But the team finished last and was in deep financial trouble.For the sentimental, it was often a sad sight to see upstarts who couldn't make the grade as a substitute for Conacher in his prime whip past him as if he weren't there.The Amerks, though, had one positive note: rugged Pat Egan was a fan favourite on defence.The retirement of veterans left many vacancies in the New York Americans lineup