Eklund: PATRICE BERGERON’S STATEMENT + Should We Change The Selke to The Bergeron?

Class act. Going to miss watching him play.


And a no to changing the trophy name. We dont need to change the names of trophies just because someone wins the trophy more times than the person its named after. Its good to stay the way it is.

First ballot hall of famer. Retire his jersey. He has earned the complete retirement package.

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town
- mkrisnosky

Taken from the HHOF election procedures: https://legends.hhof.com/...n/electionprocedures.html

Players are inducted based on the following criteria:
Playing ability, sportsmanship, character and contributions to his or her team or teams and to the game of hockey in general.

If your argument is that he hasn't scored enough points and that he isn't Sidney Crosby then fine. But those who cast the ballot for the HHOF inductees know that those aren't the criteria and will wholeheartedly induct him the first chance they get based on the actual criteria.

But I agree that they shouldn't rename the Selke trophy. No need to. His contributions to his team and the the game speak volumes and he will be remembered as one of the most complete players to play the game. In the end, thats all that really matters.

Automatic HOFer, pure class, one of the best.

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town
- mkrisnosky

This is a fair assessment. Bergeron is a defensive juggernaut, a real class act. If you were naming the trophy today, you could certainly call it the Bergeron. Like almost all of the NHL awards out there, the Selke was named after a player not known for his outstanding defensive acumen, but for his contributions to the game as a builder and for being in the right place at the right time. Selke was a fine defender, just as Richard was an excellent goal scorer, but neither is the best of all time to do either. Renaming happens - the Ted Lindsay award got renamed because it used to be the Lester B Pearson award, and while Pearson did play hockey (he was on the team that won the first Spengler cup), he wasn't exactly a famous on ice presence, or a massive contributor to the game like Selke in his era, or Lindsay in his efforts to establish the first NHLPA. You only rename something if the name doesn't make sense, if it's historically offensive, or if you find out something truly unsavory about the original title holder. If it was revealed Selke had been a eugenicist, we'd probably be having this conversation in earnest.

First ballot HOFer.
No need to rename the Selke after him.

Taken from the HHOF election procedures: https://legends.hhof.com/...n/electionprocedures.html

Players are inducted based on the following criteria:
Playing ability, sportsmanship, character and contributions to his or her team or teams and to the game of hockey in general.

- dothedougie

Interesting and admittedly - I, a nobody - weigh the first item the most heavily, like 90%. Based on that criteria alone I think he deserves in - in time. If they're weighing the next 3 items more heavily, he no doubt checks every box at the highest level. Thanks for sharing.

Interesting and admittedly - I, a nobody - weigh the first item the most heavily, like 90%. Based on that criteria alone I think he deserves in - in time. If they're weighing the next 3 items more heavily, he no doubt checks every box at the highest level. Thanks for sharing.
- mkrisnosky

Fair enough. Even if it is weighted more heavily, I would venture to guess that they worded it "playing ability" to encompass more than just points. Even on playing ability alone he deserves to be there (and we will likely agree to disagree there). He has been noticed for his play time and time again, and garnered league wide respect for it. I would say that is pretty high marks for his "playing ability".

No to changing the name!! Quit trying to change the NHL!

Not a Bruins fan but still just had to comment because of the Sydney Crosby reference.

Sydney is one of the most overhyped two way player of all time. Early in his career he actually was a very poor two way player, imo.

Saying you cant take the Selke seriously because Sydney has not won it is... not right.

Sydney, and Austin Matthews for some reason, fans really key in and exagerate the defensive impact of these players in a bizarre attempt to one up the conversation of greatests of all time.

As for the original question of changing the name of Selke to Bergereon. I like the idea.

It cant just be me that thinks that having old names on a award is overly important. I dont "really" recognize any of the names assosiated with trophys outside that there is a trophy named after them.

The confusion might be annoying to deal with but making thise awards a bit more relevant to todaya game "could" be a good thing.

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town
- mkrisnosky

1. Guy Carbonneau is a HOF'er
2. Elite players ARE nominated for it: Kopitar, Federov, Datsyuk, Yzerman, Barkov, Gimopur, Clarke, and these are guys that won the award.
3. Bergeron is a first ballot HOF'er

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town
- mkrisnosky

Does Sid kill penalties? I don’t think so. Patrice has been on the first penalty kill for as long as time. I would love to compare the short handed time on ice between the two. How about face off percentage?

There are other players in the NHL besides Malkin and Crosby.

I would rename all the trophies. Nobody even knows who Selke is. Should be the Bergeron/Datysuk trophy. Who is Art Ross? Call that the McDavid. Should also add more categories. Best defensive defensemen could be like the Rod Langway award. Best power forward could be Mike Hoffman award. Best at receiving a pass is the Auston Matthews trophy. Etc...

1. Guy Carbonneau is a HOF'er
2. Elite players ARE nominated for it: Kopitar, Federov, Datsyuk, Yzerman, Barkov, Gimopur, Clarke, and these are guys that won the award.
3. Bergeron is a first ballot HOF'er
- Only_A_Ladd

Yes, he is.
If only some Leaf players would put team first like him we might have a chance.

I would rename all the trophies. Nobody even knows who Selke is. Should be the Bergeron/Datysuk trophy. Who is Art Ross? Call that the McDavid. Should also add more categories. Best defensive defensemen could be like the Rod Langway award. Best power forward could be Mike Hoffman award. Best at receiving a pass is the Auston Matthews trophy. Etc...
- Cooleus

How about the Seth Jones most overrated player award?

in short: no, longer answer here: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=122407

Great, Classy, Human being ! Congratulations on an amazing career

Does Sid kill penalties? I don’t think so. Patrice has been on the first penalty kill for as long as time. I would love to compare the short handed time on ice between the two. How about face off percentage?

There are other players in the NHL besides Malkin and Crosby.
- Mahewman

To respond to your points:

He has killed penalties in has career but has not been consistently counted on to do so. He did under Bylsma...then moved away from it...then back to it around 2019...and its minimal now. When asked to kill the penalties he has been great at it.

Bergeron 57.9%, Crosby 52.2% career. How they compare season to season I don't know.

And I suppose the Malkin comment was thrown in to discredit my argument that Sid is an elite two way player deserving of yearly Selke consideration. I'd never make a case that Malkin should be considered for a Selke, especially recently. He's a complete defensive liability lately.

It's been a pleasure to watch you play and see you outstanding contributions off the ice. I wish I would had the pleasure of meeting you and getting my jersey signed. Hard to do living in Edmonton. lol
I hope you continue your legacy in other capacities with the organisation.

Rename the Selke after him? On the fence for that one.
The do need a Bobby Orr award. lol

I'm going to get crushed, and I will preface this by saying I think Bergeron is a VERY good player and I respect his accomplishments/reputation/game...but we need to pump the brakes on him being considered an all-time great.

Absolutely not should an NHL award be named after him.

I think he is a hall of famer largely due to longevity. The offensive dominance just isn't there and it's so weak (not one 80-point season) that a hall of GREAT wouldn't have a top line forward getting in first ballot with that production - regardless of reputation.

I'll be counter argued with the Selke's no doubt, but I think that award is tainted as elite players simply aren't considered for it - let alone nominated. I can't take a defensive forward award seriously if Sid, who is an absolute two way monster, has never been on the ballot.

...go to town
- mkrisnosky

Why do you think HOF have to be points juggernauts?

There's more aspects to hockey than just scoring.

First ballot HOF but I am 10000% against renaming stuff..I with they would being back the old Conference and division names

Prince of Wales Conference, with Adams and Patrick Divisions.
Clarence Campbell Conference, with Norris and Smythe Divisions.

I would rename all the trophies. Nobody even knows who Selke is. Should be the Bergeron/Datysuk trophy. Who is Art Ross? Call that the McDavid. Should also add more categories. Best defensive defensemen could be like the Rod Langway award. Best power forward could be Mike Hoffman award. Best at receiving a pass is the Auston Matthews trophy. Etc...
- Cooleus

NHL should educate people on the names and history.. You wanting to use Rod Langway just shows the era you are from most young hockey fans would say"Who the hell is Ron Langway"

First ballot HOFer.
No need to rename the Selke after him.
- Bourque1970

👆This.


No to name changing, but You’d need to change the Norris to the Lindstrom first, anyway

classy player and one of the all time greats at what he does.