HOF Voting Thoughts

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jaywings19

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Well, the Hockey Hall of Fame voting and announcement are set for this Thursday. There are several high profile new eligibles this year that will probably cause past holdovers to be overlooked yet again.

Here is a link to the "new" eligibles and also the notable holdovers from past years.

LINK

According to the HHOF rules, a maximum of (4) Players can be inducted per year. Also, a maximum of (5) people overall can be inducted per year. That means, the Builders and Referees allotment is based on the number of Players chosen first.

Anyway, I figured this would make for some interesting speculation on HI. If I had to guess, then the players elected this year will be:

No brainers
Mark Messier
Scott Stevens

Probables
Ron Francis
Al MacInnis

Now, the interesting situation is whether or not the HOF Election Committee will "choose" between Francis/MacInnis to allow for 2 people from the Builder/Referee category to also be elected.

Thoughts?
 
He's a long shot but Adam Oates is a possibility. Stevens is a lock. I've seen him play many times and believe he is one of the top five defensemen of all time.
 
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Jason

I'd have to agree with the No Brainer's & the Probables have mighty strong pedigree's as well.

Adam Oates might garner a couple of votes though. Plus I'm of the opinion that this will be the year of the Player's.... :D

Brian
 
To me Messier and Stevens are first Ballot locks. Francis, MacInnis and Oates are all going to get there share of votes, but my guess is that none will get the nod in their first ballot. Francis has a good shot though. He is very well respected by the "Hockey Community" for all of his off the ice stuff.... Looking at the non-first ballot guys. There are a couple that I would vote for. Dino and Bure. To me the award is for players who were dominant in their era and who was more dominant scoring wise in the late 90's then The Russian Rocket. I know he didn't reach 500 goals but to me he should get the nod. My $.02. Mike
 
I can see all 4 getting in.... but the questions lie beyond these 4.

Look at goalies - I would argue that none of the first-timers (of the goalies) should get in. But after that - Andy Moog (372 wins, 3 cups), Mike Vernon (385 wins, 2 cups), Rogie Vachon (355 wins, 3 cups)... I think you could make a good case for any or all of these 3 guys.

I really think anyone with 600+ goals, regardless of the era they play in should be considered an almost mortal lock to get in. Aside from the fact that he doesn't have a Cup, why isn't Dino Ciccarelli in the HOF?
 
I'd probably switch Francis with Stevens also on the no brainer list. No knock against Steven's but the only thing he's got going for him is the Conn Smythe he won.
That being said I probably will agree with the 4 guys you have up there. Though don't count out 2 other's that will get several votes

Igor Larionov (not for his NHL accomplishments only but his play with team Russia for several seasons. They didn't call him the Russian Gretzky for nothing).

Claude Lemieux (Though I can't stand the guy he was always a huge playoff performer and that will garner him some votes)
 
Wingnut

The only thing Stevens has going for him is a Conn Smythe? I guess 3 Cups and a finals appearance don't count? The Devils won each of those Cups with their defense. Stevens was not only the captain of the team he was the leader of the defense. The Devils were a mediocre team before Stevens arrived. His ability to keep the puck in the zone, his checking and ferocious hits made him one of the greats.
I'm a Ranger fan with absolutely no love for the Devils, but Stevens deserves recognition.
 
Believe me, I really admire Ron Francis... but his numbers scream longevity to me moreso than domination.

In 23 seasons played. . .

Only (3) 100 point seasons
Only (3) 30 goal seasons
Averaged 78 points per season

He had 2 Stanley Cups (both with Pittsburgh surrounded by ridiculous talent).

No major scoring related hardware or Conn Smythe.

To correlate to a baseball HOF eligible player. . . he is the Bert Blyleven of hockey.

Scott Stevens was much more dominating during his time in the NHL. As mentioned before, this is coming from another Rangers' fan.

In fact, I would agree with Trevor that Igor Larionov has a better shot to make it this year than Ron Francis.

Mike - I agree with Pavel Bure. He may not have 500 goals, but he dominated every year he played... during a highly defensive era. Unfortunately, I don't think he has a shot with the current newly eligible players. He might have to wait another year or two.
 
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al macinnis is a lock in my opinion having watched him all those years with the Blues..

Really there should be 5 as Oates had a heckuva career too..

and I like Moog and Barasso
 
Ron Francis
1,731 games played 549 Goals 1,798 Points 2 Stanley Cup Championships

IMO he should be in on the first ballot...
Daniel
 
danvincent78 said:
Ron Francis
1,731 games played 549 Goals 1,798 Points 2 Stanley Cup Championships

IMO he should be in on the first ballot...
Daniel
Click to expand...

Igor Larionov
644 points (in NHL only)
3 Stanley Cups
2 Olympic Gold Medals
Numerous World Championships

I agree Francis is "first ballot worthy"... but if a maximum of 4 players can get elected per year, then he might get bumped to next year.

I still feel Messier and Stevens are virtual locks. Francis will be pushed by Larionov and MacInnis. Even Claude Lemieux has his merits as a dominating playoff performer (including a Conn Smythe and more Cups).

Also, we have seen the HHOF also decide not to elect the maximum of 4 Players the past couple of seasons due to the Builder/Referee categories and the 5 person/year limitation. The last time 4 Players were inducted was 2001. I could easily see them only electing 2 Players this year, so there are notable names eligible to bridge the next couple of potentially "weak" election years.
 
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I agree that Francis is more of a lock then Stevens.

I also think that Glenn Anderson should soon get some serious consideration. He has over 1000 points, 498 goals and something like 6 cups. He was an important part of the Oilers dynasty and scored alot of big big goals especially in the playoffs(many to clinch and win series).

NHL Totals 1129 498 601 1099
 
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Larionov has strong numbers, no arguement there, but if you look at numbers, his pale in comparison to Francis' in my opinion

Messier is a stone cold lock, of course.

I see Francis and Stevens as the next 2, but I could be wrong.

MacInnis I also feel is a HOFer, but im not sure if we will get in this year.

Also, we have seen the HHOF also decide not to elect the maximum of 4 Players the past couple of seasons due to the Builder/Referee categories and the 5 person/year limitation. The last time 4 Players were inducted was 2001. I could easily see them only electing 2 Players this year, so there are notable names eligible to bridge the next couple of potentially "weak" election years.
Click to expand...

This is a very good point.

Who is slated to be eligible next year?
Daniel
 
danvincent78 said:
This is a very good point.

Who is slated to be eligible next year?
Daniel
Click to expand...

Daniel - By next year, I believe it would be anyone that did not come back after the lost lockout season. I don't think there are any marquis names eligible next year. Brett Hull would've been eligible if he didn't come back for those 5 stupid games with Phoenix last year. Same with Dave Andreychuk on Tampa last year.

That's why I only believe 2 Players (maybe 3) might be inducted this year.

If it's me, then the 2 would definitely be Messier and Stevens. Francis would be in the running for 3rd, but I can see them holding him over to "improve" next year's class.
 
jaywings19 said:
Daniel - By next year, I believe it would be anyone that did not come back after the lost lockout season. I don't think there are any marquis names eligible next year. Brett Hull would've been eligible if he didn't come back for those 5 stupid games with Phoenix last year. Same with Dave Andreychuk on Tampa last year.

That's why I only believe 2 Players (maybe 3) might be inducted this year.

If it's me, then the 2 would definitely be Messier and Stevens. Francis would be in the running for 3rd, but I can see them holding him over to "improve" next year's class.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info bud!

Hopefully Francis will go in this year and next will will be for some of the older players who have always competed against tough classes.Might be their best last chance.
Daniel
 
JSOKOL1626 said:
Wingnut

The only thing Stevens has going for him is a Conn Smythe? I guess 3 Cups and a finals appearance don't count? The Devils won each of those Cups with their defense. Stevens was not only the captain of the team he was the leader of the defense. The Devils were a mediocre team before Stevens arrived. His ability to keep the puck in the zone, his checking and ferocious hits made him one of the greats.
I'm a Ranger fan with absolutely no love for the Devils, but Stevens deserves recognition.
Click to expand...

The Devils will always be known as Martin Brodeur's team. Sorry that's the way it will always be!! I never said he didn't belong in as he does but hardware always helps d-men get in. Al MacInnis has the same Conn Smythe award as well as a Norris so don't think they won't take that into consideration when they vote. If you want to take into consideration multiple cups with a Conn Smythe Claude Lemieux is right there also. I agree that Stevens is a great player and deserves a hof nod but first ballot I say not a lock at all.
 

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