Hockey Hall of Fame question

[CoCre8tor]

Okay, there's a small group of us involved in a debate. Without going into details, I'm just taking an informal poll.

Will Claude Lemieux be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Four Stanley Cups (1986 Montreal, 1995 New Jersey, 1996 Colorado, 2000 New Jersey)
1-Conn Smythe (MVP of 1995 Playoffs)
2nd in Game Winning Goals in the playoffs (behind Gretzky).
1st or 2nd line player in his days with Montreal, New Jersey, and Colorado, usually in the top 5 in scoring on his team.
Major contributor to the communities in which he played.

Thoughts?

:popcorn:

[Lefty48197]

1. Is this a trick question?

Is it possible that he WON'T be inducted?

[Lefty48197]

2. Oops. Thought you meant MARIO.

I hate Claudie, although I did see him single handedly knock my Wings out of the playoffs once or twice.

[CoCre8tor]

6. LOL

Mario's already in the Hall of Fame - after his first retirement. :toast:

[MrSlayer]

3. Certainly should be.

Love him or hate him, Claude was a real gamer and money performer. I would take him on my team any time. He'll make the hall.

[devilgrrl]

9. They should make him wait for it....

like when he's well into his 60's. :evilgrin:

[ticapnews]

4. Yeah, I think Claude will get in

I think he made it with the 1995-96 stretch when he won two titles with two different teams. He picked up that championship aura, and it was confirmed when he won another cup with the Devils.

[Oreo]

5. No way

"I can't believe I shook that guys friggin hand" Dino Ciccarelli

The turtle has no place in the HHOF!



I didn't know about the GWG stat though... that's impressive and would probably change my mind. I can't stand the guy though in case you couldn't tell ;)

[akarnitz]

7. He's deserving, though.

I had that picture,3 feet high, at the top of my staircase for 5 years. Claude got what he had coming.

I've been following the NHL for 2+ decades now, and Claude was the ultimate clutch player. He was the chippiest, too(little bro Jocelyn ranked 2nd only to Claude). As much as I hated the chep-shot on Draper, Claude deserves his propers, the HOF among those.

For a little perspective, Eddie Shore ended Ace Bailey's career with a cheap-shot. Both made the HOF. Shore even earned a comedic nod in "Slapshot".

[CoCre8tor]

8. 4-0?

Is that the final vote? 4 say "Yes" Claude Lemiuex is destined to the Hall, and 0 say "No?"

(I'm taking Oreo's comment as a yes vote, because the GWG stat would change his mind).

Any last comments? I'll be sharing the results with my fantasy hockey league.

Thanks, All! :applause:

Mike

[imouttahere]

10. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but....

perhaps the question that needs to be asked here is, has there ever been a player elected to the Hall of Fame based soley on his playoff exploits? Because Claude just doesn't measure up on the basis of his regular season numbers. Players elected to the HOF have generally had extraordinary regular season statistic and/or recipients of awards. Just wanted to throw that into the discussion.

[CoCre8tor]

11. A leader not just in the playoffs.

Though he hasn't put up the biggest numbers in the regular season, it is still important to note that during the regular seasons:

In 1986-87, he was the 3rd in total points on the Montreal Canadiens;
In 1987-88, he was the 4th in total points on the Montreal Canadiens;
In 1990-91, he was the 2nd leading goal scorer on the New Jersey Devils;
In 1991-92 & 1992-93, he was the team's leader in points for the New Jersey Devils;
In 1995-96 & 1997-98, he was the 2nd leading goal scorer, and 4th in total points on the Colorado Avalanche;
In 1998-99, he was 4th in total points (in third was Theo Fleury, who was picked up at the trading deadline).

Though he didn't lead the league in points, he was certainly a team leader, a first or second line winger, throughout most of his career.

[imouttahere]

12. But what are his career regular season numbers?

I haven't looked them up, but I would be willing to bet that they don't compare to a player like Bernie Federko, whom I consider a questionable HOFer. Federko never lead the league in points, but he was consistently his team's leader in scoring. I still think you need to address this issue as you ponder Claude's chances for the HOF. There's no question he is one of the great playoff performers in NHL history, but up to now that hasn't been the sole criteria for HOF induction, and leading the low-scoring NJ Devils in points isn't going to get you there, or it never has in the past, anyway.

[CoCre8tor]

13. 88th overall in Goals Scored

Claude Lemieux's regular season numbers:
Games: 1197
Goals: 379
Assists: 406
Points: 785

His 379 goals is tied with Ted Lindsey in 88th place overall - ten more than Bernie Federko, 11 more than Jaques Lemaire.

Regular season numbers are deserving. He's in, in my book. :applause: