He has the most games played. That's something that should and will be celebrated. The Sharks also have zero Hall of Famers in their history. He's getting in.
- Squeaky

I wouldn't put Marleau in, although I think you're correct that he will get in anyway.

He's a classic compiler. Made the NHL as an 18-year-old (because he was a high draft pick on a team that had, up to that point, never won more than 27 games in a season). Was a pretty good player for a very long time. Never got injured. Aged gracefully. Played until he was 42.

Never scored more than 57 points in any of his first 7 seasons. Then San Jose traded for Thornton--one of the greatest playmakers in NHL history--and Marleau suddenly scored 70+ in 5 of the next 6 seasons. (The one down year he had during that run -- just 48 points in 2007-08 -- was a year he only played ~5% of his even strength minutes with Thornton.) Hmm, I wonder if these things were connected somehow?

Never made a post-season all-star team. Finished third in LW voting once (2010), fourth once (2011), but otherwise never received serious consideration as a top three NHL player at LW -- which historically has been the position with the weakest competition -- or C.

Fascinating career, but IMO he was never more than a very good (but not elite) first-line winger. Health plus longevity plus playing a good portion of your career next to a borderline generational playmaker is how you get to 566 goals and 1197 points ... in 1779 games.

That's no shade against Marleau. I mean, in his prime he really was a top 5-10 NHL LW. But I think a guy really has to be genuinely elite at his peak, if only for a few seasons, to warrant serious consideration. Marleau never got there.

Fascinating career, but IMO he was never more than a very good (but not elite) first-line winger. Health plus longevity plus playing a good portion of your career next to a borderline generational playmaker is how you get to 566 goals and 1197 points ... in 1779 games.

That's no shade against Marleau. I mean, in his prime he really was a top 5-10 NHL LW. But I think a guy really has to be genuinely elite at his peak, if only for a few seasons, to warrant serious consideration. Marleau never got there.
- Sven22

If you go to records.nhl.com and see a player who is first on any of the career lists, they should be in the Hall of Fame. Maybe not shootout goals, but even then, I wouldn't have too much of a problem with it.

Phil's game was just too one-dimensional in my eyes. He is highly skilled and found a great fit with the Pens where defenses had bigger fish on which to focus. He has had an excellent career in terms of offense and durability but seldom played both ends of the ice. HOF players are unique/special in multiple aspects of the game. Sorry, Phil just wasn't. Great career though...

Phil's game was just too one-dimensional in my eyes. He is highly skilled and found a great fit with the Pens where defenses had bigger fish on which to focus. He has had an excellent career in terms of offense and durability but seldom played both ends of the ice. HOF players are unique/special in multiple aspects of the game. Sorry, Phil just wasn't. Great career though...
- BOSS_TWEED

so take Coffey out?

NOW? Can’t I just wait to admit it when he’s not playing anymore, and if and when he actually gets into the Hall of Fame?

so take Coffey out?
- drexel

Not OP, but personally I don't have an objection to one-dimensional players making the HOF if they were really, really freaking good at their one dimension. If you can put up points from defense like Coffey did you can get away with below-average defense and still have elite on-ice impacts.

The problem with Phil's case is that his one dimension is barely at HOF standards, if even that, and he brings nothing else to the table. Actually, less than nothing, because his defense is below replacement level.

Stamkos keeps producing and he should be fine based on production. Getzlaf gets in based on his excellent longevity. Toews has neither good numbers nor longevity. But he played on great teams so he'll get in.
- jfkst1

Wut the frank?

Longevity should not get u in. Not 1 individual award. That's like saying Eric Stall should get into HOF as well.

Getzlaf was a good player, but certainly not deserving of HOF.

But, uhh, KESSEL IS BETTERZZZZZ

goodness, I think he might be overrating someone other than Toews here.
It's quite clear he's got an irrationable, pretty much insane, hate-on for Toews though.
- prock

Pens fans still bummed Toews made that arbitrary top 100 player list over Malkin.

My Caufield to score more goals than matthews prop bet at +750 is sitting pretty

if you start comparing him to other names that are in there, you could justify him being in. But he doesn't really belong there.

Great player, great character, not a HOFer IMO.
- prock

Exactly no way he deserves to be there

At least he’ll get that overrated garbage player Yandle out of the record book. Both he and the Flyers should be ashamed of that farce last season, Yandle had no business playing in the NHL. On a bad team he was, by a mile, the worst player on that squad. It was pathetic

That’s edited footage. The real footage takes him out of HOF conversation.


- TurdFergeson

😆 🤣 👛

Eklund: Peopke Need to Admit Phil Kessel a Hall of Famer? Yes.
- Eklund

... at the Nathan's July 4 Eating Contest.

Sorry, but who was better than kessel on those maple leaf teams? He was absolutely the best player on those teams

He's a tough case. The consecutive games record, along with some pretty good raw numbers, might get him in. But he doesn't have a single meaningful award. Not even a top 10.

He’s been headed to the hall for a few years already. This isnt a new take. But more time to add to the stats will make it undeniable.

He’s been headed to the hall for a few years already. This isnt a new take. But more time to add to the stats will make it undeniable.
- sextoymagic

Holy poop! I said this damn near word for word. I wish I could delete my post now.

He is questionably the BEST roleplayer of all time!!!

There is nothing wrong with that, the issue and downside is he was expected to lead the leafs, he isn't a leader, he is a talent you cannot have him being double shifted and expect to put up massive numbers it just won't happen.

HOF? I would say maybe, depends what happens in the next 2-3 years the iron man record is nice to have for sure, if he say puts up another 100-150 points over the rest of his career then well probably.

He’s been headed to the hall for a few years already. This isnt a new take. But more time to add to the stats will make it undeniable.
- sextoymagic

Nope. Phil couldnt carry Alex Mogilny or Jeremy Roenick's equipment to the rink. Quite frankly, neither could Daniel Alfredsson, but he made the Hall. So, maybe, because how good of a hockey player you were really doesnt mean all that much.

Brian Propp had over 1000 pts avg about a pt a game and was outstanding defensively. He is in before Kessel. Not even a question.

He is not alone in the 1000 pt not in the hall club and many of those forwards were far better all around players than Kessel.

Also the steak is a joke. Irrelevant.

Nope. Phil couldnt carry Alex Mogilny or Jeremy Roenick's equipment to the rink. Quite frankly, neither could Daniel Alfredsson, but he made the Hall. So, maybe, because how good of a hockey player you were really doesnt mean all that much.
- lacaprup

Kessel not on the same planet as JR or Mogs.

Brian Propp had over 1000 pts avg about a pt a game and was outstanding defensively. He is in before Kessel. Not even a question.

He is not alone in the 1000 pt not in the hall club and many of those forwards were far better all around players than Kessel.

Also the steak is a joke. Irrelevant.
- Joe Nardone

It's not irrelevant. It's a milestone accomplishment in a league where guys get injured all the time. It still doesnt make him a good enough player though.

It's not irrelevant. It's a milestone accomplishment in a league where guys get injured all the time. It still doesnt make him a good enough player though.
- lacaprup

Did you see how the guy who’s record he is breaking got there? The iron man streak is no longer something to be admired, it’s a reminder for an occasionally lucky player who has been given favors when he should have sat out. Or the byproduct of a player unwilling to risk physical harm to be a complete player.

3 things guaranteed in life,

1) Death
2) Taxes
3) stupid hot dog jokes whenever Kessel is mentioned from morons that think it's funny

If Garry Unger is in the Hall of Fame then I would say sure, but he isn't.
Unger was the Ironman for many years, playing during a time when hockey was much more physical, and still scored 400 goals.
If getting to HOF is based solely on an Ironman streak, we can expect to see Keith Yandle make it into the Hall of Fame.