Valid. He was a tremendous two-way player. Sure, I'd put in Kariya, Recchi, and Roenick before him. Andreychuk was a compiler from the mid-90s forward, and even before that he was a high 30 goal guy, aside from his one 53 goal season. I'd go with Brind Amour well before him. I don't remember much about Mogilny and I've always been on the fence with Lindros.
- Scoob

Mogilny had that monster 76-goal season in 92/93, and would have been a 500-goal scorer had it not been for injuries. Great skater/stickhandler offensively but who can use his size and can play both ends of the ice. Think Pavel Bure on offense and Brindy lite on defense. He, along with Fedorov and Bure, was formed the most dangerous line in international hock in the late 80s for the Soviets. Everyone from Fedorov to Sundin to Quinn to Larionov all said he was the best player they ever played with/coached.

As for Lindros, I'd put him in this year after Kariya and Recchi, and before Roenick despite the 500 goals. He was the best player in the game between 1994 and 1998, just couldn't stay healthy.

General consensus among all the pundits.....



- PLindbergh31

My favorite are the ones that give an A+ because they drafted the highest rated goalie to solve their goalie problem

My favorite are the ones that give an A+ because they drafted the highest rated goalie to solve their goalie problem
- YuenglingJagr

Any "analyst" who actually wrote that should be fired and have all credentials stripped.

Recchi is a no brainer for the Hall. I'd like to see Lindros get in.

If and when there is a hockeybuzz HOF, your blogs will get in on the first-ballot, Bill. Great stuff, as always.

I'd love to see #88 make it. Hell, any player who has so many highlights from his prime that it would take an hour to go through them, should make it in my book. He just dominated those first half dozen years.

Any "analyst" who actually wrote that should be fired and have all credentials stripped.
- Scoob

I think they are the main ones that write draft grades anyway

I think they are the main ones that write draft grades anyway
- YuenglingJagr

Reading that "solves their problem" stuff just reinforces to me that these guys are just as dumb as we regular schlubs here on HB.

Tremendous blog

Really hope Lindros gets in

Reading that "solves their problem" stuff just reinforces to me that these guys are just as dumb as we regular schlubs here on HB.
- Scoob

You can see how long its been and the cycle hasnt caught up yet

hope the flyers qualify mathers

Bellows was who I wanted at 18 going into the draft, but Rubtsov + Laberge is clearly better value than Bellows + 79. Laberge was a first round talent according to many of the published draft rankings.

I get that we need goal scoring from the wings, but Konecny, NAK and Lindblom should be able to provide that in 17-18 which is the earliest as Bellows will be in the NHL. He could easily spend 2-3 years in college.

"... character..."

I'm guessing this is the part that will provide the main rationale for keeping 88 out of the hall.

Still can't believe Red Wings got rid of Datsyuk's cap hit

If Rubstov plays in the MHL/KHL next year and then comes over to the AHL, he can slide for the 2017/2018 season (much like Hagg did his first year). However, if he plays in the CHL this year, he is no longer eligible to play in the AHL during the 2017/2018 season.

I don't think that's correct. He wasn't drafted out of the CHL, so he is eligible to play in the AHL before he turns 20, whether or not he plays in the CHL after being drafted.

http://www.stanleycupofch...-agreement-CBA-talks-2012

Jiri Tlusty exemplifies the strange hybrid case of a European player who played for the CHL but was drafted from Europe. He was drafted tenth overall in 2006 from HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga, then signed with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. After one season, he split the season between the Marlies of the AHL and the NHL's Maple Leafs as a 19-year-old. Since he was drafted by the Maple Leafs from Europe, he was eligible for minor league play.

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=8605

I'm guessing this is the part that will provide the main rationale for keeping 88 out of the hall.
- Tomahawk

Ugh. I can understand why he isn't in, for that reason

I won't lie: With him, it's always more about my gut than my head. I don't know if there has ever been a more frustrating athlete, in any sport, that I have ever rooted for to be successful

But at the same time, there has never before and not since been an athlete who I have enjoyed watching more in his prime and when healthy

Still can't believe Red Wings got rid of Datsyuk's cap hit
- Streit2ThePoint

Why? It was as easy as getting rid of Pronger's. Find a poorly run team that needs to get to the floor and can't afford to pay players who will actually pay. Done.

There's a reason I never lock into one guy in my draft list. My top choice was Luke Kunin. Second was Bellows. Third was Rubtsov. There wasn't much difference to me in the 3, so I was happy to get one of them, especially at 22, while adding a premium 2nd rounder.

Some of the beat guys were so locked into scorer, they ignored a lot of the indications that Hextall was leaning in other directions

Only an idiot would draft a guy for an immediate need when he won't even contribute for 3 years
- PhillySportsGuy

You mean Bellows wasn't gonna score 50-goals worth of pure snipering next to G starting from 2016-17?

I could be wrong but wasn't that what caused the confusion with HYka when they drafted him?
- J35Bacher

No. Flyers did not draft Hyka. Confusion ws whether he fell under North American or European undrafted player signing rules.

Mogilny had that monster 76-goal season in 92/93, and would have been a 500-goal scorer had it not been for injuries. Great skater/stickhandler offensively but who can use his size and can play both ends of the ice. Think Pavel Bure on offense and Brindy lite on defense. He, along with Fedorov and Bure, was formed the most dangerous line in international hock in the late 80s for the Soviets. Everyone from Fedorov to Sundin to Quinn to Larionov all said he was the best player they ever played with/coached.

As for Lindros, I'd put him in this year after Kariya and Recchi, and before Roenick despite the 500 goals. He was the best player in the game between 1994 and 1998, just couldn't stay healthy.
- jmatchett383

I don't like that excuse/reason. There were injuries. Projecting numbers if there weren't injuries smells like rationalization because one "likes" the player and wants to see him in.*

*This is general commentary, not Mogilny specific.

You mean Bellows wasn't gonna score 50-goals worth of pure snipering next to G starting from 2016-17?
- Tomahawk

I think Kyle Connor could score 30 goals on G's LW in 16-17, but Bellows isn't quite at his level as a prospect.

I'm still amazed Boston passed on him not once, not twice, but thrice.

Ugh. I can understand why he isn't in, for that reason

I won't lie: With him, it's always more about my gut than my head. I don't know if there has ever been a more frustrating athlete, in any sport, that I have ever rooted for to be successful

But at the same time, there has never before and not since been an athlete who I have enjoyed watching more in his prime and when healthy
- AllInForFlyers

Great player when he wasn't hurt... but the draft posturing, the holdouts, the drama, the parents... a lot ammo for the voting committee.

JR just has a big mouth, and that's the only reason keeping him out. I dunno how long it will take for 88 to get in.

Still can't believe Red Wings got rid of Datsyuk's cap hit
- Streit2ThePoint

People were right...they did give up a first rounder

Can someone please tell me if this is correct:

If Rubstov plays in the MHL/KHL next year and then comes over to the AHL, he can slide for the 2017/2018 season (much like Hagg did his first year). However, if he plays in the CHL this year, he is no longer eligible to play in the AHL during the 2017/2018 season.

Also, I love Brindy, but he should not be in the HHOF. He was a very good, very underrated player for the better part of his career. But, as Bill said, he was never among the elite players of the game opposed to guys like Kariya and Lindros. Maybe elite defensively, but to me, he is in the Hall of Very Good.
- jmatchett383

Yeah good call on Brindy. To me Mogilny and Lindros should make it. Mogilny and Lindros were usually thee most dangerous players on the ice for the majority of their careers. Mogilny nearly potted 80 in a season.

Still can't believe Red Wings got rid of Datsyuk's cap hit
- Streit2ThePoint

375 days ago the Flyers had Pronger and Vinny signed for 3 more years. Anything is possible with the Coyotes in the league