However, this doesn't mean that there aren't many more candidates for the selection committee to chose from during the vote next year. Here are the top 10 who are hoping to get a call from Toronto.
10) Theo Fluery
(If being batshit insane counted in voting, he'd have made it three years ago)
Despite being 5-6, Fluery made up for his lack of size with an overabundance of heart and a nasty snap-shot off of the wing. He actually averaged more than a point a game during his nearly 14-year NHL career, and won a Stanley Cup with the Flames during 1989. In addition, he was a member of the team that won the 2002 gold medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics, and made the 2nd All Star Team in 1994-95, along with seven All-Star Game appearances.
Unfortunately, his tell-all autobiography, along with his lack of seasonal dominance(he topped 50 goals once and 100 points twice) will probably keep him out of the Hall for some time.
9) Alexander Mogilny
(And to think, just a couple of decades ago we wanted to nuke their country)
Though Pavel Bure may have been the "Russian Rocket," his countryman Mogilny was just as talented. Mogilny not only averaged over a point-a-game through a 16-year career, he also led the league in goal-scoring in 1992-93 with 76, won the 2000 Stanley Cup, made the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, and won the 2003 Lady Byng Trophy. He also made four All-Star games, and was on the Second All-Star Team after both the 1992-93 and the 1995-96 seasons.
The sharp decline of his skills at the end of his career will hurt him, as will his conspicuous lack of a leadership role on any team he played for. However, between his statistics and his championships(he also won a Olympic Gold Medal), he should be in the Hall within a decade.
8) Steve Larmer
(God, that is a hockey mullet)
Larmer was a two-word forward who could not only shut down opponents, but could also put the puck into the back of the net. He scored at least 40 goals five times with the Blackhawks during his tenure there, and made it to the Stanley Cup Finals with them in 1992. However, it was with his other team, the New York Rangers, that he was able to finally win the Stanley Cup in 1994. He's also a recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year, and made two All-Star Games.
Though his point totals and style of play are similar to Fluery's, Larmer also has an ironman streak that spanned an incredible 11 straight seasons, a feat that Fleury never came close to accomplishing. He's another player who could get in before the end of the decade.
7) Pierre Turgeon
(This one photo could contain four Hall-of-Famers. Turgeon is on the right)
Turgeon had what Don Cherry would refer to as "magic hands." He was among the most skilled forwards in the league, and his 515 career goals and 1327 career points attest to this. He also made four All-Star Games and won the Lady Byng in 1992-93.
Despite not only being hampered by his lack of success in the postseason(he never even made a Stanley Cup Final), Turgeon is also known for his role, or lack thereof, in the Punch-up in Piestany. Turgeon did not participate in the infamous Canada-USSR brawl, and many teammates from that team still resent him for his actions. Though his actual statistics might be enough to get him in, one bad decision as a 17-year-old may keep him out of the Hall.
6) Rogie Vachon
(What in God's name is on the top of that helmet?)
An example of a player forgotten, Vachon was a dominant goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings in the 1970's. During his time in Los Angeles, he made it to three All-Star games and was twice a second-team All-Star. However, it was in Montreal that he not only won the Vezina trophy, but also his two Stanley Cups.
Despite being in the top 20 for career wins(he's 15th) and goals against(he's 12th), he's never received a phone call from the Hall-of-Fame. The conspicuous lack of recent goaltending inductees since the 90's (only Patrick Roy, Billy Smith, and Grant Fuhr) could be a major factor to Vachon's induction into the Hall. He's due.
5) Phil Housley
(Thank god Buffalo brought back those uniforms)
Despite playing both forward and defense during his 21-year odyssey, Hously finished with 1232 points in his career. He also is 19th in career assists, and 14th in career games played. In addition, he played in 7 All-Star Games and was made a second-team All-Star in 1991-92.
Again, Housley is hurt by a lack of postseason success, though he did make a Stanley Cup final in 1998. His position also raises questions, since his numbers are not nearly as good if he is considered a forward, rather than a defenseman. However, his American roots(the Hall loves electing non-Canadiens)will probably help him get in sooner rather than later.
4) Dave Andreychuk
(Andreychuk is shocked that he didn't get in before Dino)
So begins the list of players who should be in next year's class. Andreychuk is the NHL leader in career power-play goals. He also had 640 goals and 1338 points, good for 13th and 27th all-time. Andreychuk also ranks 5th all-time in games played, made two All-Star teams and won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in his final season.
Though he's hurt by the lower numbers at the end of his career, there is no doubt that it is Andreychuk who was the best power-play specialist of all-time. He is a lock to get in within the next three years, and there is no doubt that he should be seriously considered for the class of 2011.
3) Adam Oates
(Him, Cam Neely, and Ray Bourque...and they didn't win a Stanley Cup?)The only issue with Oates is his lack of playoff success. He was only able to make two finas, one with the Washington Capitals in 1998 and the other with the Anaheim "Mighty" Ducks in 2003. But the rest of his career reads like the how-to guide on making the Hall-of-Fame.
He had four 100-point seasons, including a ridiculous 142 in 1992-93 with the Boston Bruins. He made six all-Star games, and made the Second All-Star team in 1990-91. He led the league in assists three times, is 6th in the NHL in career assists, and ranks 16th in career points. He's also one of only 11 players to have over 1000 assists for their career.
Nine are in the Hall-of-Fame, and the tenth, Joe Sakic, is supposed to be a lock for 2012, when he will become eligible. Oates, who might be the purest passer of the 90's, deserves a spot in Toronto.
2) Joe Nieuwendyk
(If the Stanley Cup is the hardest team trophy to earn in sports, then that is the hardest individual trophy to earn in sports)Three Stanley Cups('89,98,'03) and he made a fourth final with the Stars in 2000. He has an Olympic Gold Medal, and is 20th all-time in goals with 564. He also made four All-Star teams, won the Calder Memorial Trophy, the King Clancy trophy for his leadership abilities, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP.
He should have made it this year. The selection committee needs to ensure that he makes it in 2011.
1) Doug Gilmour
("Dougie Gilmour from Kingston, Ontario...and don't you forget it)
"Killer" was a dominant player during his NHL career. How dominant? Well...
-He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward...after scoring 127 points during the regular season. He had 95 assists that year.
-He won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989, and scored the series-clinching goal in Game 6.
-He is 12th in career assists, 17th in career points, and 17th in games played.
Yes, his #93 hangs in the Air Canada Center as a testament to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But it would be better if his face were on a plaque in that other important hockey building in Toronto.
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