Hey guys. I'm a leaf fan, but I learned to be pretty impartial early because I was born and raised in Edmonton...anyway, I just wanted to chime in on lupus, gardiner and beauch.
I've watched every Leaf game this year and Gardiner's play hasn't really declined. Hes been scratched the last 4 games because komisarek came back and I think the leafs are showcasing some of the other dmen. But, I think you are right that adjusting to the NHL from NCAA is tough. Burke said he was being sent down just so he would keep playing instead of sitting.
Lupul. I think it wad Ron Caron that said you can't win the lottery if you never buy a ticket...the leafs won a lottery with lupul...I don't care what any other leaf fan says. There was nothing indicating that lupul would produce like that. I watched him in Edmonton when he was here. He was a different player.
And Beauch....the guy is an animal. I've watched Anaheim's last 4 or 5 games and he's looked great. That is what the leafs hoped he would be when they signed him, but he just never got comfortable in T.O. He looks great right now for you though so Murray made a good choice in bringing him back.
Rod the Bod captained a team to a cup. I think he could go in before Tkachuk
Tkachuk put up a better PPG ratio, had more goals, lead the NHL in goals one season(prior to the Rocket Richard Trophy existing, otherwise he'd have that on his record), and has more All-Star appearances. On top of that, he has a slightly better International record.
I like Brind'Amour, but I have a hard time putting him ahead of Tkachuk. I'm not sure Brind'Amour's Cup, and his 2 Selke Trophies are enough to overcome the edge Tkachuk has.
Edit: Actually, I could see Niedermayer and Chelios going, and then some others not listed here. This should be a pretty good HOF class.
I would hope Oates gets in ahead of anyone not named Chelios, Blake, or Niedermayer. I would take Lindros and a few others over anyone else that's eligible for the first time this year also. Say what you want about him but Lindros was an absolutely dominant force for a few years before the injuries started piling up, there's no denying he was one of the most talented players to play the game the last two decades.
I would hope Oates gets in ahead of anyone not named Chelios, Blake, or Niedermayer. I would take Lindros and a few others over anyone else that's eligible for the first time this year also. Say what you want about him but Lindros was an absolutely dominant force for a few years before the injuries started piling up, there's no denying he was one of the most talented players to play the game the last two decades.
It would be cool if the 4 guys were all from Cali teams
There is no argument if you were a fan of hockey the last 15 years
1000 points
500 goals
On sub-par teams and
With Craig Janney as your center for most of your career.... He could also hit and fight but i know that doesnt carry any weight on these boards... Especially with our euro/ Australian fanbase
Tkachuk had plenty of good centres to play with. Roenick, Zhamnov, Demitra, Weight. I think he's a borderline case but he has nothing on Sundin and many didn't think he should have gotten in.
There is no argument if you were a fan of hockey the last 15 years
1000 points
500 goals
On sub-par teams and
With Craig Janney as your center for most of your career.... He could also hit and fight but i know that doesnt carry any weight on these boards... Especially with our euro/ Australian fanbase
Craig Janney was a maxi pad, but he was an elite playmaking center. Even so, Tkachuk spent most of his career with guys of equal or higher caliber than that.
But Tkachuk was a meathead, hurting his team as much as he helped with his physicality. And despite his roughly 4-year period of goal scoring dominance, he made post season all star teams only twice, second team both times. He was never a serious candidate for the Hart. He wasn't much of a playmaker. Tkachuk is basically Ciccarelli-lite, without the early post-season dominance, and it took Ciccarelli what? 11 years to get in? Tkachuk belongs in the Hall of Really Good.
