This Years HOF'ers

[willc7786 0]

Well, the HOF committee is meeting thursday, and theres a great list of players that could be chosen, many of them in their first year that they're eligible.

First year:

Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens, Al MacInnis, Adam Oates, Igor Larionov and Claude Lemieux.

So who do you think gets chosen? Generally 4 is the maximum chosen, and theres of course other players other then this that haven't been chosen yet.

I think Messier, Francis, and Stevens are first ballot guys, and Larionov as well depending on other guys that have been passed over so far

[Chadd 916]

MacInnis may get the nod over Larionov, but I agree with your picks.

[RadioGaGa 162]

For all Larionov has done for Russian Hockey...he could almost go in as a builder as well as a player.

Glad I don't have to make the choices though...that's an impressive list.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

[Chadd 916]

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

The HHOF has ignored international success quite often in the past. They have a definite North American bias. More than anything the HHOF has to stop inducting so many non-players. The proportion of "builders" is way out of line compared to other sports.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Its the hockey hall of fame, not the NHL hall of fame. Larionov would have more points in the NHL then Francis if he started at 18. I wonder how Messier will promote himself during this one. ColdFx spandex shirt while giving his speech?

[Monty22 833]

Ronnie Franchise is a no brainer.

[DarkStar50 679]

Chopper can wait another year although I won't be surprised if he gets in now. I do not think he merits first ballot induction. I do feel that Larionov does deserve first ballot induction. The KLM line was the most dangerous line for CCCP for a long time in the 80s. Watch Canada Cup 87 if you don't believe me. However, I won't be surprised when Larionov gets screwed on Thursday and doesn't make the cut. The North American bias should be dead by now but I'll bet its not.

[Jason Harris 31]

Messier and Francis are no-brainers, since they are numbers 2 and 4 in all-time scoring (3 and 2 in assists). However, I think some people may be overlooking that Oates is 15 in scoring and 6 in assists. It could be an interesting discussion between him and Stevens.

[Chadd 916]

Messier and Francis are no-brainers, since they are numbers 2 and 4 in all-time scoring (3 and 2 in assists). However, I think some people may be overlooking that Oates is 15 in scoring and 6 in assists. It could be an interesting discussion between him and Stevens.

Personally, I would go with Oates over Stevens but I don't think it's likely that the voters will.

[kosydar 0]

I'm biased because Igor is one of my favorites of all time, but I really think he deserves to get in on the first time.

[willc7786 0]

I'm just wondering if they'll want all 4 to be first ballot inductees. I also think Oates is a great candidate, but this years list is just too impressive. And Stevens playoff record alone will put him ahead of a guy like Oates in the voters minds.

[pantherfan 0]

Its the hockey hall of fame, not the NHL hall of fame. Larionov would have more points in the NHL then Francis if he started at 18. I wonder how Messier will promote himself during this one. ColdFx spandex shirt while giving his speech?

Thats quiet an assumption to make, ok Larionov probobly would have become a better player by being in the NHL earlier but in the same years that he was in the NHL as Francis he got 644 and Francis got 1054 and that includes taking 100 off Francis for the season Larionov spent with Lugano.

My choices would be Messier, MacInnis, Oates and Francis.

[chippa13 1844]

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

The HHOF has ignored international success quite often in the past. They have a definite North American bias. More than anything the HHOF has to stop inducting so many non-players. The proportion of "builders" is way out of line compared to other sports.

Tretiak would argue otherwise.

[Chadd 916]

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

The HHOF has ignored international success quite often in the past. They have a definite North American bias. More than anything the HHOF has to stop inducting so many non-players. The proportion of "builders" is way out of line compared to other sports.

Tretiak would argue otherwise.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/Legend...jsp?type=Player

How many of those guys were primarily international players?

[Kevin 5]

Pavel Bure belongs in the HHOF. However, due to the strength of this year's class (esp. Messier and Francis), he will have to wait a few more years.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I don't know about that...

[Kevin 5]

Pavel Bure was a great player whose career was cut short due to injury. Accordingly, his career totals do not compare to Francis or Messier. However, recent inductee Cam Neely is a good comparison. The numbers are very similar with a slight edge to Bure. Bure also won two Rocket Richard trophies and had outstanding performances in the 94 playoffs and in Nagano in 98. He will be hurt by not playing on playoff teams late in his career. Neely brought a physical element that Bure did not have, but both could strike fear in opposing d-men. Bure was definitely one of the most exciting players in the NHL in the 90s.

[sabre09923 0]

Personally, I would go with Igor, Francis, Messier, and Oates.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Messier, Francs, McInnis & Steven voted into HOF

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Seems odd that Larianov is being left out, considering it's not the NHL hall of fame, its the hockey hall of fame. I would think given his accomplishments outside the NHL, 2 olympic golds and a bronze, as well as being one of the best to come out of russia, and helping pave the way for other russians to get over here, he would have made it for sure

[Chadd 916]

Seems odd that Larianov is being left out, considering it's not the NHL hall of fame, its the hockey hall of fame. I would think given his accomplishments outside the NHL, 2 olympic golds and a bronze, as well as being one of the best to come out of russia, and helping pave the way for other russians to get over here, he would have made it for sure

MacInnis may get the nod over Larionov, but I agree with your picks.

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

The HHOF has ignored international success quite often in the past. They have a definite North American bias. More than anything the HHOF has to stop inducting so many non-players. The proportion of "builders" is way out of line compared to other sports.

I'm sure that Jim Gregory is a nice guy but the builders that go into the HHOF should at least be people that hard core fans recognize.

[top_shelf_24 0]

Messier, Francs, McInnis & Steven voted into HOF

That pic sure doesnt do Mess much justice :P

[chippa13 1844]

I say Igor over Chopper. MacInnis won 1 Cup (Conn Smythe as well) and one Norris. Igor has 3 Cups and a storied international career (two Golds) to boot.

The HHOF has ignored international success quite often in the past. They have a definite North American bias. More than anything the HHOF has to stop inducting so many non-players. The proportion of "builders" is way out of line compared to other sports.

Tretiak would argue otherwise.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/Legend...jsp?type=Player

How many of those guys were primarily international players?

Let's see, Hobey Baker never played professionally in North America. Then you've got Fetisov, Kharlamov, and Tretiak. Something to consider, most players who enjoyed great international success also achieved a level of success playing in North America. Europeans are still a fairly recent phenomenon in the NHL when it comes to their place in the history of the game. Wait another 10 years and we'll see how things shake out.

[Chadd 916]

Let's see, Hobey Baker never played professionally in North America. Then you've got Fetisov, Kharlamov, and Tretiak. Something to consider, most players who enjoyed great international success also achieved a level of success playing in North America. Europeans are still a fairly recent phenomenon in the NHL when it comes to their place in the history of the game. Wait another 10 years and we'll see how things shake out.

You're still going to argue my basic point after Larionov was excluded?