As we honor Patrick Roy, Herb Brooks, Dick Duff, and Harley Hotchkiss for their lifelong achievements in hockey, some can’t help but to wonder who will go in as the class of 2007. There are still some major names, like Mike Richter, Steve Larmer, and more that are still out there. Then there are the guys, like Al MacInnis, Pavel Bure, Ron Francis, and Mark Messier, who should be going into the Hall on their first try. Here now, is how the 2007 Hall class is handicapped. Lead Pipe Locks
Mark Messier- Center (Edmonton, New York Rangers, Vancouver)
If Patrick Roy is the most clutch goaltender of all-time, then Mark Messier is the most clutch player of all-time. Who can forget 1994? Down three games to two, going into New Jersey, and facing a curse that was fifty-four years old, Messier uttered the most famous words in New York hockey history, “We Will Win.” Then, Messier did just that.
Yet, people forget one thing, going into that game, he already had four Stanley Cup titles under his belt. One of the main reasons why the Rangers went out and signed him in 1991. He’s second all-time in points and goals, behind Wayne Gretzky. There is no question that Messier will be a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame inductee.
Ron Francis- Forward (Hartford, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Toronto)
He is “Ronnie Franchise”. He was the face of a Whalers team that was in decline, before heading off to Pittsburgh and winning two Stanley Cups. He never whined, never complained, and always had the “lunch pale” mentality to the game. Yet, when you look at Francis’ numbers, you’ll be shocked to learn that he is second all-time in assists, behind Wayne Gretzky.
They’re in, but wait until `08
Pavel Bure- Forward (Vancouver, Florida, New York Rangers)
The greatest Russian player ever to play in the NHL, bar none. He was putting the puck in with ease, even when clutching and grabbing was allowed. How he did that was very simple. Before his knee injury, Bure had speed that was second to no one. You couldn’t catch him. He also was one of the main reasons that Vancouver came within one post of winning the Stanley Cup in 1994. His shot in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals is the most remembered shot, but it wasn’t a goal. His knee injuries will cost him his first-ballot status, but when you’re in, does it really matter?
Al MacInnis- Defense (Calgary, St. Louis)
Never in the NHL has a defenseman had such a heavy shot. He is one of the top scoring defensemen of all-time. Yet, what will hold him back is the fact he is underrated defensively. MacInnis, even though he was a young player, was one of the major driving forces behind Calgary’s 1989 Stanley Cup run. His stay-at-home style and quiet demeanor made him the man he is today. An eye injury ended his career right before the lockout, but “Big Mac” will be in the Hall easily.
Scott Stevens- Defense (New Jersey)
Want to know the biggest reason why Martin Broudeur didn’t have to worry about many rebounds? Scott Stevens was going to knock you into next year if you went into the crease. Isn’t that right, Teemu Selanne? How about you Eric Lindros? Slava Kozlov, do you agree? Yet, Stevens was also pretty handy on the other side of the puck too, amassing over 1000 points in his career. Well, at least when he wasn’t in the box for 3200 minutes. His entry will be delayed because of his reputation, but he will still get in.
What about guys like Mike Richter, Adam Oates, Felix Potvin, Doug Gilmour, and Claude Lemieux? Chances are, they may not get in at all. They were great players, but this isn’t the Hall-of-Great, this is the Hall-of-Fame. Richter may not have enough wins, Oates may get in, but it’s unlikely, Potvin was very good, but not good enough, Gilmour just doesn’t have the goals, and Claude Lemieux is an overrated goon. Look for these four as locks to make it. There are no first-timers in 2008, thanks to the lockout, but there are several names that might have not made it otherwise.
