Jan Levine: Rangers players rejoining their teammates, Hockey Hall fo Fame vote today

Jan..Good point on Mogilny paving way for Russians in the NHL. I think he’s a HoFer

Good blog, Jan.
I am actually truly excited for Jarome Iginla.
And absolute beast in every conceivable way that mattered to a hockey game. And from ALL reports, one of the nicest people to walk to planet.
I wish I could watch him play the game some more.

My votes go to Iggy, Hossa and Elias. The rest of the upper tier have strong cases, but debate is needed. Hossa was one of the best players in many of the games he played. Elias, while hated, was a leader for NJ in every facet. IMO, a case could be made for him as the greatest Devil ever, and I am not forgetting any names when I make that statement.

Congrats Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla!!
(also elected to the All-Star Name Team!!)

I think Hossa is the lock. Was a key contributor on multiple cup teams/finalists. I'd put him in over Iginla who I think might have to wait a year. I'd put Mogilny in for sure, that guy is somehow criminally underrated for his career and led the Russian charge. The only other guy I'd put in for sure is Osgood. I used to rag on that guy all the time, but the more I look at his stats, the more he stood out on his own. If Osgood was a caretaker, then you have to consider Barrasso and possibly Vernon ones as well.

There's alot of guys on the borderline for me.

While we're on the topic of HOF, and carrying over the pizza discussion from the last blog, here's my top 5 pizza list in NYC:
- Johns of Bleeker
- Joe's (there's one close to the Garden now. Just a 10 block walk north)
- Rubirosa
- Lucali's
- Di Fara

Bonus: Don Pepi in Penn Station before any event at MSG has a special place in my heart. First NYR game ever, I was 3 years old. I still remember eating a slice bigger than my face before the game!

Edit: 2Sticks...how DARE you even utter the words that you can find good pizza anywhere

the only one who SHOULD get in is Iginla.

but others will because the bar for the HOF is too low.

the only one who SHOULD get in is Iginla.

but others will because the bar for the HOF is too low.
- BINGO!

Bingo, what is that bar? If criteria was clear, I could understand the argument. But it's not, which creates the ambiguity.

the only one who SHOULD get in is Iginla.

but others will because the bar for the HOF is too low.
- BINGO!

People seem to forget that the HOF is for the VERY BEST ----not simply the very good.
Having stated that: Iginla, Mogilny and Lowe would be my 3 locks for this year.

Bingo, what is that bar? If criteria was clear, I could understand the argument. But it's not, which creates the ambiguity.
- airjan23

That's just it, who knows? Why is Guy Carbonneau in there? How did Eric Lindros stay out for so long? Theo Fleury? It seems to be more based on popularity contest in some cases than anything else.

People seem to forget that the HOF is for the VERY BEST ----not simply the very good.
Having stated that: Iginla, Mogilny and Lowe would be my 3 locks for this year.
- TommyGTrain

Except that, historically, the VERY GOOD have been getting in, not just the very best.

While we're on the topic of HOF, and carrying over the pizza discussion from the last blog, here's my top 5 pizza list in NYC:
- Johns of Bleeker
- Joe's (there's one close to the Garden now. Just a 10 block walk north)
- Rubirosa
- Lucali's
- Di Fara

Bonus: Don Pepi in Penn Station before any event at MSG has a special place in my heart. First NYR game ever, I was 3 years old. I still remember eating a slice bigger than my face before the game!

Edit: 2Sticks...how DARE you even utter the words that you can find good pizza anywhere
- Bean_Dip

On tripadvisor the #2 pizza in the USA was Pizza Time in St Augustine. Have visited can confirm its really good and if I'm ever in that area I always make a stop.

I was going to say my favorite NY slice was Sbarro, but I'm not sure how many people in this forum would get why that was funny.

Except that, historically, the VERY GOOD have been getting in, not just the very best.
- BINGO!

I think it's based on postseason success too. I think Brind'amour gets in for examle because of his. I would rank Hossa above Iginla because of how he preformed on multiple playoff teams, though it really isn't Iginla's fault that Calgary was a pretty crap team most of the time he was there.

He probably never had the pure numbers to get serious consideration anyway, but I think playoffs might be the final nail in Nash's coffin for ever getting serious consideration.

On tripadvisor the #2 pizza in the USA was Pizza Time in St Augustine. Have visited can confirm its really good and if I'm ever in that area I always make a stop.

I was going to say my favorite NY slice was Sbarro, but I'm not sure how many people in this forum would get why that was funny.
- 2sticks1puck

These are fighting words...

These are fighting words...
- Bean_Dip

I find it funny I can't find the OG commercial on youtube. Only the Office scene of it.

I'm as big a fan of Mike Richter that ever lived, but I don't consider him a hall of famer

if he somehow got in, I'd be thrilled for him, but I dont think he's a HOF

I'm as big a fan of Mike Richter that ever lived, but I don't consider him a hall of famer

if he somehow got in, I'd be thrilled for him, but I dont think he's a HOF
- jimbo83

Great Ranger, really good goalie, no HOF

Great Ranger, really good goalie, no HOF
- mdw7413

I would give him the nod. Great goalie.

I would give him the nod. Great goalie.
- nyisles7

I don't think so. 300 wins shouldn't get someone in. Granted if he would not have had the concussion issues and a longer career, who knows. I just don't think his stats, as is, are good enough.imo

never saw this clip of the 5th Zibinajed goal

I don't think so. 300 wins shouldn't get someone in. Granted if he would not have had the concussion issues and a longer career, who knows. I just don't think his stats, as is, are good enough.imo
- mdw7413

The World Cup win and Stanley Cup bolster his case.

The World Cup win and Stanley Cup bolster his case.
- airjan23

I love Richter Jan, but I actually think those things shouldn't even be included. Personally I think it should just be based on stats solely. No awards, cups, etc.

I know I mentioned this before, but I'm a cowboys fan and Sanders was the best running back in that era. Smith has the titles and awards, but Sanders was better hands down.

I love Richter Jan, but I actually think those things shouldn't even be included. Personally I think it should just be based on stats solely. No awards, cups, etc.

I know I mentioned this before, but I'm a cowboys fan and Sanders was the best running back in that era. Smith has the titles and awards, but Sanders was better hands down.
- mdw7413

They augment not detract from a case. Granted, these are team dependent, but awards and being selected to play on the highest stage should matter. Why Olympics or Canada/World Cups are a factor.

I love Richter Jan, but I actually think those things shouldn't even be included. Personally I think it should just be based on stats solely. No awards, cups, etc.

I know I mentioned this before, but I'm a cowboys fan and Sanders was the best running back in that era. Smith has the titles and awards, but Sanders was better hands down.
- mdw7413

World Cup means nothing to me, I think playoffs should definitely be considered

but Richter's extreme drop off after 1997 hurts his case too much

in fact, if we could go back in time and find Jimbo's comments on Ranger blogs from 1998-2003 I often complained that Richter never makes a big save anymore

They augment not detract from a case. Granted, these are team dependent, but awards and being selected to play on the highest stage should matter. Why Olympics or Canada/World Cups are a factor.
- airjan23

I guess, I just like keeping it to the stats. Makes it a bit easier.

Not saying you ever said it, but I hate the argument when people will say, "Well how many titles do they have?" There are so many great players in every sport who never won a title. That should never take away from a player. imo

World Cup means nothing to me, I think playoffs should definitely be considered

but Richter's extreme drop off after 1997 hurts his case too much

in fact, if we could go back in time and find Jimbo's comments on Ranger blogs from 1998-2003 I often complained that Richter never makes a big save anymore
- jimbo83

Exactly. And while he was a fantastic goalie before that, his numbers weren't out of this world to make up for that drop off around 98