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Rangers players rejoining their teammates, Hockey Hall of Fame vote today |
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Update as of 5pm June 24: HockeyHallFame Class of 2020: Jarome Iginla, Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Kim St. Pierre and Ken Holland (builder). Congrats to Lowe, the former Ranger, who had the majority of his success in Edmonton, winning five Cups. Unsure if he deserved to get in over others that were worthy - Alexander Mogilny, Daniel Alfredsson, Patrik Elias and others - but as I wrote below, I still felt he belongs in the Hall.
The Band is starting to get back together. Rangers from across the glove are starting to filter into camp, as the NHL reaches the next sub-stage of Phase 2 where 12 players can be on the ice at the same time. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductees are announced today, I take a look below as to who I think should be in.
As seen from the two tweets below, Pavel Buchnevich and Igor Shesterkin are in New York. Once they each pass their COVID tests and get cleared, look for each to be back on the ice. Colin Stephenson noted that Alex Georgiev and Kaapo Kakko are planning on coming over from Finland on Friday. both will need to quarantine for a period, but arriving Friday - presuming a 14-day quarantine period - allows both to be ready when training camp begins July 10.
The HHOF Class of 2020 will be announced today at 4:30pm. Several worthy candidates are eligible, though as we have seen and know, the transparency - or lack thereof associated - as to the criteria for selection, we will have no idea why some of those players are not elected. But, Gord Miller in his tweet provided a fairly good list of what to consider when evaluating these players. The link in the HHOF shows first year eligible players as well as those carried over. Here is who I think should get in along with the Rangers connections to those eligible.
From the first year eligibles, I think Jarome Iginla is a lock. Over 600 goals, was dominant in his era, two Olympic Gold Medals, made the pass on the Golden Goal. First team All-Star three times, second team once, several league awards; add all this together and he should hear his name called today. Marian Hossa is the only other first-time eligible that I think could get the nod. He only has one second team All Star appearance next to his name, but he was a key member of three Stanley Cup winning teams, appeared in three straight Cup finals with three different teams, topped 40 goals three times, potted 525 markers and was a full 200-foot player. To me, he checks the key boxes for induction. But, seeing how the Hall likes to make players wait, I wouldn't be shocked if he has to wait a year or two.
From the holdovers: Alexander Mogilny is more than deserving. Scored over a point-a-game, though that is discounted somewhat by the era in which he played. Two-time All-Star, won a Cup with New Jersey, after changing his game from just scoring to playing better in all three zones, yet scored 43 times on an offensively challenged Devils team. Scored 76 times one year for Buffalo and 55 another season for Vancouver. Topped 30 goals eight times in his career. Teams gameplanned against him earlier in his career. Add in the story of his defection and what him coming to the US meant for all the players that followed and I think he is a Hall of Famer.
The Hall is reluctant to induct goalies, though several may be worthy. Tom Barrasso won a Calder, Vezina and Jennings his first year in Buffalo and back-to-back Cups with Pittsburgh while notching 369 wins. Curtis Joseph walked on from University of Wisconsin to the Blues, finishing his career with 454 wins and an Olympic Gold Medal. Andy Moog was part of three Cup winners in Edmonton, though as a backup, then took the Bruins to Cup finals against the Oilers while winning 377 games. Chris Osgood is the goalie that seems to draw the most controversy, as he is viewed by many as a caretaker on a very good Detroit team. He was the back up on the first Cup team but the starter on two others, posting elite numbers both times, while winning 401 games with 50 shutouts. Mike Vernon is viewed in a somewhat similar light, a solid, not great goalie. Yet he was the starter on two different Cup winning teams and ended his career with 385 wins. The need for a veterans committee with separate election criteria is highlighted by Lorne Chabot, who won two Cups, including one with the Rangers, and won 200 games with a 2.01 goals-against average.
After Mogilny, it gets dicey. I wouldn't be shocked if Daniel Alfreddson gets in, but is he a better candidate than let's say Rod Brind'Amour, who was viewed as more of a compiler, but did win two Selkes and a Cup while posting 452 goals. Does Vincent Damphousse with a Cup and 1200 points warrant a spot over Piierre Turgeon and/or Bernie Nicholls? Has Jeremy Roenick ruined his chance at induction or can he still rehabilitate his image and earn a bust in the Hall? Keith Tkachuk to me was Brendan Shanahan-lite and does warrant a place in the Hall in the future, but unsure that happens this year. I do think Patrik Elias could be the fourth player to get in with 408 goals, two Cups and a one of the key faces of the New Jersey franchise for years. If he doesn't make it, don't be surprised if Doug Wilsonis elected.
Looking forward to next season, Jaromir Jagr is up for election and should skate into the Hall. The same likely for Henrik Zetterberg, who was dominant in all phases of the game, especially defensively. A Selke Award winner, he notched 337 goals and 960 points. Daniel and Henrik Sedin are up as well. Do both get in? If only one, which one?
Those that have a New York connection and up for consideration with a true shot are:
Tony Amonte - 416 goals and part of the 1996 USA World Cup winning team. Solid overall numbers but finishes a bit short.Ray Ferraro - posted numbers very similar to Amonte. Good not great player.
Theo Fleury - the polarizing candidate. Was a dominant force on a Cup winning team. A major agitator. Finished with 455 goals and 1,088 points in 1,084. On Canada Cup and Olympic Gold Medal teams. Was a feisty SOB, whose battles with alcohol are well known. Has morphed into an advocate for others. In my view, he is a Hall of Famer, but may need to wait several more years to get in.
Alex Kovalev - mercurial was his name in New York. Always left us wanting and expecting more, yet still finished with 430 goals. One of the most talented players in the league, but falls a bit short of the Hall.
Steve Larmer - one of the key pieces to the Rangers winning the Cup. Calder Trophy winner. Consistent career, at least 28 goals a year his first 11 seasons in the NHL. Could get into Hall in future.
Kevin Lowe - a true defensive defensemen. Gets lost in the mix from those dominant Edmonton teams. I view him as a Hall of Famer, but he too will need to wait
Rick Middleton - you all know my view of Middleton, as his departure was one of the worst trades in Rangers' history. Averaged a point per game, was part of several very good Boston teams. Another player who should get into the Hall in the future.
Bernie Nicholls - was a top scorer but did you watch him and think Hall of Famer? Will be interesting to see if he or Turgeon get into the Hall in future.
John Ogrodnick - solid player, 402 goals in 926 games, but not deserving of inclusion
Pat Verbeek - little Ball of Hate. Made Ken Linseman look sweet and innocent. Scored 522 goals with 2905 penalty minutes. won a Cup in Dallas. Scored 40 or more goals four times, 30 or more three times. No league awards, which hurts his chances.
Doug Weight - dealt to Edmonton after a year-plus as a Ranger. Very solid career but not Hall worthy.
Mike Richter - injuries cut short his career. Finished with 301 wins, a Stanley Cup and a World Cup championship. When on his game, was dominant between the pipes.
John Vanbiesbrouck - won the Vezina in 1985-86. Notched 374 wins, carried Florida to the Cup finals. Likely finishes a bit short of Hall consideration.
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