I did this kind of thing a long time ago, figured I'd see how people think now
Imagine an 18 year old player comes into the NHL and it his rookie season puts up 100 goals and 200 assists shattering all sorts of records (let's also assume the next player on the list is Ovechkin or something with 60 goals and 50 assists, so it's not some new era). This player takes the last place team to first place and to the cup. He wins the Hart, Pearson, Art Ross, Rocket Richard, Selke, Conn Smythe, Calder, Lady Byng and Bill Masterson. A real sweep of the awards.
Now lets say this player doesn't return to play ever again and retires. Does he get into the Hall of Fame?
Say he doesn't retire. Say he dies in a tragic accident. What then?
Yeah it depends on why he stops playing. If he gets killed or maimed or something I would think that he would probably get it. If he just walks away I don't think he gets in.
His impact on the league for that one season would have been so epic and monumental that there's no doubt he wouldn't go in. I think the HHoF should celebrate a player's talent and impact on the league rather than base it on statistics and achievement.
Players like Forsberg, Lindros, and Bure without a doubt in my mind should be in the the Hall despite their inadequate statistics because when they did lace up their skates, they played like Hall of Famers.
His impact on the league for that one season would have been so epic and monumental that there's no doubt he wouldn't go in. I think the HHoF should celebrate a player's talent and impact on the league rather than base it on statistics and achievement.
Players like Forsberg, Lindros, and Bure without a doubt in my mind should be in the the Hall despite their inadequate statistics because when they did lace up their skates, they played like Hall of Famers.
100% true. Everything you just said is so correct that it brought a tear to my eye.
