Messier, Francis, MacInnis, Stevens earn spots in Hockey Hall of Fame

[devilgrrl]

Messier, Francis, MacInnis, Stevens earn spots in Hockey Hall of Fame

TORONTO (AP) -- The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome one of its finest classes ever.

Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Al MacInnis and Scott Stevens will go in as players this fall, while NHL executive Jim Gregory will enter as a builder.

"I'm very honored to go in with a class like this," Francis said.

Messier, the NHL's second-leading career scorer, was a slam-dunk selection after a career in which he won six Stanley Cups. Only Wayne Gretzky has recorded more points.

All four players elected Thursday were on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. Other eligible players who didn't make it included Adam Oates, Igor Larionov and Claude Lemieux.

more: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-halloffame&prov=ap&type=lgns


I'm glad Claude Lemieux didn't make it - he has no business even being nominated to begin with - the slime! :puke:

[MrSlayer]

1. That's an incredible class.

Awesome players and champions all. I was a huge Oilers fan in the 80's and Messier was incredible, he could do it all offense, defense and he would also kick your ass. When you think of Ron Francis the first thing that comes to mind is class. Al McInnis' shot is legendary and scared the shit out of goalies everywhere. Scott Stevens is one of my all time favorites, he played the game correctly, hard, tough and fair. Scary dude.


I disagree about Claude Lemieux, while his regular season numbers weren't at HoF level, his playoff performances certainly were. He's the guy you hate to play against but love when he's on your team. A three time champion who was an integral part of the championship runs and Conn Smythe winner deserves consideration.

[devilgrrl]

2. He'll have to wait another 20+ years...

by that time, most will have forgotten who he was. Sorry, I don't care how many rings he has, he was dirty player - period. You see Dave Schultz or Brian Skrudland in the HofF?

[MrSlayer]

8. Come on, neither of those two could hold Lemieux's jock.

Who was dirtier than Bobby Clarke? Not many. And he's an absolute hall of famer. Dirty or not Claude got the job done in money time. He deserves the consideration.

[LisaM]

3. Why was Claude Lemieux even considered?

Or Pepe LePew, as he is more familiarly known in Detroit.

Anyone have the link of Turtle Lemieux being beaten up by Cam Neeley or Darren McCarty?

He was a dirty player, but then again, so was Scott Stevens, so I'm not sure why he was in the mix, either.

[devilgrrl]

4. Scott Stevens was an excellent defenseman. The best during his playing days!

At least he didn't wear a visor like pussy Lemieux.

Here's the Cam Neely clip....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UYOFv8IArUY

[LisaM]

5. May I swear?

That fucking Turtle Lemieux (there used to be, maybe still is, someone on the Red Wings' boards who called himself that, TurtleLemieux). He almost killed Kris Draper in 1996 - came literally within one inch of killing him - and yet the Avs fans think that's just fine but want Bertuzzi out of the game.

Scott Stevens probably was a great player but I saw him totally blindside Eric Lindros once, one of the cheapest shots I've ever seen. Lindros went down cold - he'd already been struggling with concussions. I lost all respect for Scott Stevens at that point.

My personal favorite day in hockey ever was March 26, 1997 when Darren McCarty gave it back to Pepe for almost killing Drapes.


http://www.detroithockey.net/multimedia/players/mccarty_darren/?start=20


I love hockey!!!!! And thanks much for the link. I greatly enjoyed watching it.

[devilgrrl]

6. Lindros thought he was bigger than the game... Stevens put a end to that.

I was glad to see him get his clock cleaned. However, I do agree that the hit was boarderline cheesy ala Chris Neal and I'd like the see the NHL make them illegal outright. You want to take a player out, do it face-to-face like Brian Campbell did to R.J. Umberger.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XD03ut-iUzg

Hey, at least Stevens never ducked and covered like Pepe. There wasn't a team in the league that wouldn't have him.

Hockey does rule - doesn't it?

[LisaM]

7. Yep! That's why I have a dog named Gordie.

He's a sweetie, though, he never fights or even growls.

I am no fan of Lindros, but I don't like those head shots, that's all.

Watching that clip made me really want to see my Wingers start up again! They got rid of Lang, Mr. Turnover. Good. But we still need to do something to get ready for a Cup run next year.

[MrSlayer]

9. Stevens was not a dirty player.

He was great and he played hard but he played clean. He scared the shit out of people. Konstantinov played with the same edge as Stevens and I'll bet you didn't consider him dirty.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Yes, Stevens was a dirty player. Agreed. nt

[Forkboy]

12. Chelios is and always has been dirtier than Stevens.

And I say that as a big Chelios fan.It's a tough position to play nicely and be effective.

I've always been a major fan of Stevens,and watched him constantly,and while he would walk the line a lot,he wasn't dirty in the way I'd consider Lemieux or players like that to be.Stevens was a terrifying player to go against,and has made some of the hardest,and cleanest,checks I've ever had the joy of watching.If not for Bourque and Chelli he would have notched a couple Norris Trophies during the 90's.

He TOTALLY deserves to be in the mix.

Now,why Lemieux was even a thought I can't say.An argument could be made for Oates,and even Larionov,but Lemieux? I'm not buying it. :)

[Captain Hilts]

10. I'm thrilled for MacInnis. Adam Oates will get in...eventually. nt

[devilgrrl]

13. Some great Scott Stevens footage...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=buBExcNpOg8

[devilgrrl]

14. A tribute to Mark Messier...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCxIevvbnOg

[devilgrrl]

15. A tribute to Al MacInnis...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lnij7Wc98Pc

[devilgrrl]

16. A tribute to Ron Francis...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CpGupkkNEWk

[Forkboy]

17. Thanks for all the clips!

Some great stuff there.It's an excellent group going in this year.