12/21/24
June 26, 2012
Hockey HoF Selects 4: Pavel Bure, Adam Oates, Joe Sakic, and Matts Sundin are the newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sakic and Sundin were in their first year of eligibility, while Bure waited 6 years. For Oates, who was in his 5th year of eligibility, it was quite a day, as he was named head coach of the Washington Capitols shortly before his selection to the Hall.
I'm a leafs fan but I don't know how you can put Sundin in without putting Shanahan in. Shanny had about as many points and he also happened to win 3 cups.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:07 PM on June 26, 2012
Shanny played a couple of seasons longer than Mats did, yet they have about the same amount of points. Shanny also played on significantly superior teams than Mats did.
Bonus: the amount of points that Mats ended up with is the same name as a great black metal band. That right there is really all you need.
(Not Leaves biased)
posted by NoMich at 07:18 AM on June 27, 2012
Admittedly a Red Wings fan. But even so, Shanahan snub was awful.
posted by roberts at 07:46 AM on June 27, 2012
I don't know how you can put Sundin in without putting Shanahan in.
Its the Hockey HOF, everyone gets in eventually.
posted by Whizbang at 09:11 AM on June 27, 2012
They can only elect 4 players, and because they snubbed Oates and Bure in previous years (including one where they only elected 2 players), they are now going to run into a Baseball HOF-type crunch in the future. Shanahan gets in next year, no doubt.
The biggest shock to me is that they couldn't find 14 votes (out of 18) for Pat Burns or Fred Shero in the builders/coaches side.
posted by grum@work at 11:22 AM on June 27, 2012
The biggest shock to me is that they couldn't find 14 votes (out of 18) for Pat Burns or Fred Shero in the builders/coaches side.
To which I add a loud AMEN!
posted by Howard_T at 03:21 PM on June 27, 2012
I can't see Sundin getting in before Burns or Shanahan.
He was a good player but Burns was a 3 time coach of the year and both he and Shanahan won championships.
Guess Sundin gets extra points for having played for the Leafs.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:36 PM on June 27, 2012
I don't get the hate for Mats Sundin. His NHL career, alone, is worthy of the HHoF, but the guy was also stellar in international play. Remember, this is not the NHL Hall of Fame, it's the Hockey Hall of Fame which takes all aspects of your career into consideration.
posted by NoMich at 07:14 AM on June 28, 2012
Sundin scored his 500th goal shorthanded, in overtime, to complete a hat trick.
That alone should get him into the hall of fame.
posted by fabulon7 at 11:24 AM on June 28, 2012
Guess Sundin gets extra points for having played for the Leafs.
Consider it balancing the ledger.
"Sundin's only in the HOF because he played in the center of the hockey universe, Toronto."
"Yeah, but come on. The guy played for the Leafs."
"True."
posted by grum@work at 11:47 AM on June 28, 2012
Remember, this is not the NHL Hall of Fame, it's the Hockey Hall of Fame which takes all aspects of your career into consideration.
Truth. Being Swedish certainly didn't hurt Sundin's chances of getting into the HHOF. European's a bit under represented right now.
posted by Whizbang at 01:31 PM on June 28, 2012
Pfft. Sundin deserves it on his NHL career alone. He was better than a shit ton of Hall of Famers. Goddamn right.
All four are no brainers as far as I'm concerned.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:53 PM on June 28, 2012
All this Sundin discussion reminded me of these classics
posted by tahoemoj at 11:39 AM on June 29, 2012
Sakic: no brainer
Sundin: no brainer (Leaf bias)
Oates: good selection, just a hair off no-brainer for me
Bure: good selection, leaves opening for Lindros now.