Phil Housley getting in is a joke. The guy compiled a lot of points playing his prime in the highest scoring era in league history, while playing a rover type of role and avoiding tough defensive minutes. All that on teams that were not very good...He played over 20 seasons and won 4 playoff series, yes, 4. Even worse, one of those came his rookie season and the other 3 came with Washington in the 98 Cup run where he was not even a top pairing guy. Back when they were all in their primes would any GM take Housley over a Doug Wilson or Eric Desjardins or even Gary Suter to be their #1? I can't see it, and none of those 3 are in the hall of fame (and from my memory Wilson is the only one who's ever been seriously considered).

Many will say he was a "pioneer" for Americans in the NHL, and he was somewhat, but he wasn't the only one, and more should be required to get into the HHOF. Looking back to Team USA's best on best international tourneys I don't ever remember him even playing a significant role on the successful teams.

The HHOF has historically been a little tougher on Dmen than forwards and goalies, but this was not the place to start lowering the bar. JC Tremblay would've been a great one, then maybe work down to guys like Carl Brewer, Doug Wilson, and Sergei Zubov. All clearly better players than Housley.

To be fair, I would take Fedorov over Gilmour and Nieuwendyk on that list. Probably not over Sundin, though, and definitely not over a healthy Foppa.

Michigan sports radio guys are horrible. I assume it's the same almost everywhere, though I confess I don't pay attention.
- Sven22

Haha, it is the same everywhere. And I do listen, I can't get enough of it. I just hate when they talk hockey around here (especially 105.1). I agree Fedorov over Nieuwendyk for sure. Gilmour, well, I have to go no comment there.

But to call Sundin and Forsberg scrubs? He said "it's not like the NHL only lets the elite players into the hall. Listen to some of these guys that got in: Sundin, Gilmour, NIeuwendyk, Forsberg."

It was actually pretty funny. A few fans called in and were like, "uhm, Sundin? Have you looked him up before?"

I support Lindros for the Hall of Fame as well.

You can make a pretty strong case that for a six-year-period (1993-94 through 1998-99) Eric Lindros was, at worst, the third-best forward in the NHL, behind Lemieux and maybe Jagr. His points-per-game ranks those seasons were 3, 1, 3, 2, 6, 4.

The injuries really do hurt his case significantly, but he was so dominant when he was healthy, for a long enough period of time, that I think it's hard to keep him out.
- Sven22

Agreed. Another guy who's career was hurt by injuries: Bobby Orr. He got in no problem (as he should have). Lindros should be in there already.

Phil Housley getting in is a joke. The guy compiled a lot of points playing his prime in the highest scoring era in league history, while playing a rover type of role and avoiding tough defensive minutes. All that on teams that were not very good...He played over 20 seasons and won 4 playoff series, yes, 4. Even worse, one of those came his rookie season and the other 3 came with Washington in the 98 Cup run where he was not even a top pairing guy. Back when they were all in their primes would any GM take Housley over a Doug Wilson or Eric Desjardins or even Gary Suter to be their #1? I can't see it, and none of those 3 are in the hall of fame (and from my memory Wilson is the only one who's ever been seriously considered).

Many will say he was a "pioneer" for Americans in the NHL, and he was somewhat, but he wasn't the only one, and more should be required to get into the HHOF. Looking back to Team USA's best on best international tourneys I don't ever remember him even playing a significant role on the successful teams.

The HHOF has historically been a little tougher on Dmen than forwards and goalies, but this was not the place to start lowering the bar. JC Tremblay would've been a great one, then maybe work down to guys like Carl Brewer, Doug Wilson, and Sergei Zubov. All clearly better players than Housley.
- CHI-HAWKS7

Housley did have the record for most games played by an American and most points scored by an American only being surpassed by Chelios and Modano. He has an Olympic silver medal, won a gold at the World Cup of Hockey and another as head coach of the juniors. If voting for the Norris was the way it is today back when Housley played he would have won several times starting with his 97 point season. The only joke is that he wasn't in sooner.