Written by Invoice Schoeninger in 2014.
Based in 1943, the Hockey Corridor of Fame has inducted 381 gamers, coaches, executives and officers for his or her large contributions to the game. Whereas all of them have left their mark on the sport in varied methods, some have achieved greater than others.
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At instances, the Corridor of Fame committee has inducted some gamers which have sparked plenty of debate. Many consider they belong within the “Corridor of Very Good” and never the Corridor of Fame.
When wanting on the most questionable selections, three tendencies shine via amongst these of questionable benefit:
- Function gamers on dynasty groups.
- Forwards from the high-scoring Eighties and Nineties.
- An over-emphasis on physicality.
All seven of the next gamers match into a kind of classes, with most becoming in multiple. In my evaluation, I’ll be making reference to a metric known as VsX to guage scoring. It’s the easiest way to guage level totals throughout eras by evaluating how a lot a participant scored in comparison with the 2nd place scorer within the league that yr. Right here’s an instance:
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Participant A finishes 2nd within the NHL with 100 factors. Participant B scored 80 factors that yr, and is given a rating of 80 (80/100).
I’m not that means to disparage these gamers, they have been large hockey gamers throughout their careers. It’s simply that the Corridor of Fame needs to be reserved for under the very elite gamers.
Dick Duff – Left Wing (1955-1971)
A member of each the Maple Leafs and Canadiens dynasties of the Sixties, Dick Duff collected six Stanley Cup championships throughout his profession. A giant a part of his candidacy comes from scoring just a few clutch targets within the playoffs, however he solely led his staff (not the playoffs) in targets, assists, or factors within the playoffs as soon as in his profession.
Duff was referred to as a hard-working two-way participant however by no means completed with a high 10 level end, obtained no vital awards voting, and had a profession excessive VsX of simply 70.7. For a reference, Mike Ribeiro had 5 seasons of upper scores.
He was by no means one of the best participant on his staff, as an alternative having the fortune of taking part in on some unimaginable squads. If he spent his total profession on mediocre groups, there isn’t any likelihood he makes the Corridor.
Gerry Cheevers – Goalie (1961-1980)
The goalie for the Massive Unhealthy Bruins of the Seventies, Gerry Cheevers performed behind some unreal groups and one of the best defenseman in historical past. He backstopped the staff to 2 Cups, however was removed from the driving power behind the wins.
Regardless of taking part in behind the most effective groups ever, he by no means completed within the high 5 of GAA in any season when there have been solely ~15 groups (and 15 starters) within the league.
His highest end by way of post-season all-star voting was fifth when he obtained solely six out of 486 votes. So, theoretically, he was a top-five goalie as soon as in his complete profession.
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He gained some awards within the WHA, however his competitors paled compared to the NHL the place he was merely an above-average goalie. Had he performed for the California Golden Seals, we wouldn’t be having this dialog.
Clark Gillies – Left Wing (1974-1988)
The left wing on the famed “Trio Grande” line with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies did the soiled work for the road. He was a giant, bodily energy ahead that was additionally a keen fighter.
Physicality is a beneficial talent and helps his case, however when the remainder of the image isn’t there, it shouldn’t get him into the Corridor.
Gillies had an important two-year peak when he completed ninth and thirteenth in factors, however he completed within the high 60 in factors simply two extra instances in his profession (thirtieth and forty eighth). And he was on a line with two high 25 gamers of all time!
He by no means broke a VsX rating of 80, and was at finest the fifth-best participant on these Islander groups. In comparison with the common season, his point-per-game common goes down from .73 to .57 within the playoffs. Being an influence ahead is nice, however his offensives numbers should not HHoF caliber, regardless of taking part in alongside two legends.
Leo Boivin – Protection (1951-1970)
A stay-at-home defenseman, Leo Boivin’s declare to fame have been his patented bone-crunching hits. Boivin was not giant at 5-foot-8 183 kilos, however he may ship thunderous physique checks. Boivin performed virtually solely in an NHL that had six groups, but Boivin’s groups made the playoffs in simply 6 of these 15 seasons. 4 groups made the playoffs annually.
Boivin didn’t have nice particular person success both, together with his highest end in post-season All-Star voting being seventh. Then contemplate that there have been solely 24 common defensemen within the NHL, and also you’ll perceive the skepticism.
With a career-high of 26 factors, Boivin’s accomplishments merely should not HHoF-worthy.
Glenn Anderson – Proper Wing (1980-1986)
In Glenn Anderson, the checklist acquires its fourth position participant from a dynasty. Anderson was a goalscoring wing who had expertise, however whose level totals have been inflated by taking part in on the highest-scoring staff of all time within the highest-scoring period of all time.
He completed high three in All-Star voting simply as soon as, obtained no Hart Trophy votes, and was at finest the sixth-best participant on the Oilers behind Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, and Grant Fuhr. He broke a VsX rating of 80 as soon as, and had one high 10 level end in his profession. Regardless of being recognized for his playoff heroics, his Factors per Recreation (PPG) truly goes down barely from the common season to playoffs.
Joe Nieuwendyk – Heart (1986-2007)
The one middle on the checklist, Joe Nieuwendyk was an excellent participant for a very long time however by no means peaked excessive sufficient to be deserving of HHoF honors. He was a “compiler” who scored a very good quantity every season for a very long time however was by no means truly an elite participant.
His highest VsX rating was 75.8 (Doug Weight beat that 5 instances), and his highest end in All-Star voting was fifth. In his profession, he obtained simply three complete votes for the Hart Trophy over 20 seasons.
He will get plenty of mileage out of successful one Conn Smythe and three Cups, however his PPG within the playoffs is .17 decrease than within the common season.
Harry Watson – Left Wing (1941-1957)
An extended-time Leaf, Watson is one more instance of a task participant being acknowledged largely due to his nice teammates. Watson gained 5 cups over his profession, however was not the driving power for the victories.
He by no means obtained any vital All Star votes, and bought two votes for the Hart Trophy in his total profession. He had one profession yr by which he had a VsX rating of 83, however by no means broke 70 once more. Keep in mind, Mike Ribeiro’s carried out that 5 instances.
Watson was a bodily two-way participant, which is unquestionably a part of the image, however his offensive skills are too far behind for his intangibles to make up the bottom. Within the playoffs, he has a PPG that dips to .40 from .55 within the common season.
What different HHoFers will not be worthy of the honors which have been bestowed upon them? Let me know within the feedback.