2025 HHOF

[kaiser matias]

Regarding Mogilny's defection, I'd like to quote myself on the subject:

Remember though that Fetisov (and Kasatanov, Larionov, Makarov, Krutov) were all over 30 when they were allowed to leave, which is what the Soviets negotiated (they didn't want any young players to leave). Mogilny was 20 (and Fedorov was 21, for reference). That was the difference there (though as noted in this thread, it was made moot shortly after when the USSR collapsed).

 

[ChiTownPhilly]

I'd argue that in the previous seven induction classes [2017-18-19-20-22-23-24], you could make a class of not-inducteds who were superior to the ones who were inducted. With Chara, Keith, Thornton going in this year, at least that shameful streak has come to an end (even with the Mogilny induction- though Mogilny isn't anywhere near the skid-mark Phil Housley was in the Class of '15). Suspect that the Selection Committee will revert to form next year, though.

As long as JC Tremblay has been mentioned for "excluded for aggravating Hockey Establishment," let's spare a thought for the memory of Carl Brewer.

The taxonomy of unjustly HoF snubbed male players is interesting. I've identified three main groups:

1) forgotten players overlooked in earlier generations. Most easy-to-document examples would be Paul Thompson and Cecil Dillon. Some would say Lorne Chabot, but I think his case is marginal.

2) aggravated Hockey Establishment. JC Tremblay. Brewer, Theo Fleury. Kovalchuk [though he's possibly the Lorne Chabot of this category]. I thought Roenick was tracking this way too. However, he got past the bouncers last year.

3) [Knowing I've said it all before] the persistently ignored non-NHL Euros. Here follows my sporadic "death watch" for such players whose induction would raise the HoF standard, and are running out of time...

Jiří Holeček- turned 81 earlier this year.
František Pospíšil- also turned 81 this year.
Boris Mikhailov- about to turn 81 this year.
Alexander Maltsev- turned 76 this year.
Vladimir Martinec- turns 76 later this year.

Global conditions being as they are, the road is no easier for Mikhailov and Maltsev- and other Russian worthies Alexander Petrov (died 2017) Vladimir Krutov and Valeri Vasiliev [died 2012] and Anatoli Firsov [died 2000] would be posthumous inductions.

Speaking of the deceased, Jan Suchý died in 2021- and if he wasn't admitted shortly after that, it's probably not going to happen.

 

[Albatros]

Remember though that Fetisov (and Kasatanov, Larionov, Makarov, Krutov) were all over 30 when they were allowed to leave, which is what the Soviets negotiated (they didn't want any young players to leave). Mogilny was 20 (and Fedorov was 21, for reference). That was the difference there (though as noted in this thread, it was made moot shortly after when the USSR collapsed).

The first Soviet import player, Pryakhin, was 25.

 

[Staniowski]

Re: Fleury

There's really no reason to believe Fleury isn't being inducted because of his behavior.

His contemporaries Turgeon, Roenick, and Mogilny have recently been inducted after being eligible for many years. Guys like Fleury, Tkachuk, and LeClair are still out there.

Several more of the 1990s generation will likely be voted in over the coming years, and Fleury has a good chance to be one of them.

There's still quite a backlog.

 

[seventieslord]

I have to say I'm shocked Carey Price didn't make it.

Not because I'm a biased fan who I know rates him way higher than most and who thinks he should be in.

Simply looking at it objectively - his reputation throughout the hockey world is super, super high, and always has been. I never would have expected he would wait a year. In fact - I even could have seen the hockey world vote him in above both Chara and Keith if there wasn't spots for all 3. So - pretty shocking.

Not a huge deal overall - he'll get in next year. But it's still surprising to me.

Basically, he's exactly who one would expect to see overrated. Even if his resume and abilities somewhat fell short of the usual standard, you would expect him to get some sort of a perception / reputation/hype boost that would have gotten him in. But he does meet the standard, and he still didn't get in.

 

[tabness]

Re: Fleury

There's really no reason to believe Fleury isn't being inducted because of his behavior.

His contemporaries Turgeon, Roenick, and Mogilny have recently been inducted after being eligible for many years. Guys like Fleury, Tkachuk, and LeClair are still out there.

Several more of the 1990s generation will likely be voted in over the coming years, and Fleury has a good chance to be one of them.

There's still quite a backlog.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Tkachuk now, he's gotten a lot of press by going to his kid's games the past few years, and the "bunch of p***yes" comment was pretty well timed with Florida's resurgence in 2022-2023 kicking off their current run, so his name is back in circulation

 

[Staniowski]

Will be interesting to see what happens with Tkachuk now, he's gotten a lot of press by going to his kid's games the past few years, and the "bunch of p***yes" comment was pretty well timed with Florida's resurgence in 2022-2023 kicking off their current run, so his name is back in circulation

Yeah, I think he has a good chance. The success and popularity of Matthew and Brady might give an extra subconscious boost.

 

[Overrated]

Well Václav Nedomanský isn't in for his NHL career and his Czech one while very good, in a way, isn't overwhelmingly good.

I actually forgot that the Big guy got in and he isn't a strong center in the HHOF but sure the whole first to defect narrative means waht exactly?

Maybe some of these voters grew up in households were that mattered, I dunno.

He was the best Czechoslovak forward while he was active.

 

[The Panther]

I don't think Theo Fleury needs in. He selfishly contributed to costing Canada a medal at Piestany. He was largely a non-factor in the Flames' Cup win in 1989, as a recently promoted rookie. He was largely a non-factor in Canada's 2002 gold medal (generally, i think most people didn't want him on the team). In between, when he was 'the guy', his clubs consistently choked in embarrassing fashion. His terrible conduct off the ice for much of career unfortunately speaks for itself. His book was page after page of dissing important people in the League, which isn't helping his cause.

He did put up a lot of points in the playoffs, but mainly in first-round series that his club lost.

 

[kaiser matias]

The first Soviet import player, Pryakhin, was 25.

True I forgot about him. But he was not a major part of the national team (even though he had played for them, including at the 1987 Canada Cup), which is why Calgary went after him and the Soviet federation was fine with him leaving. They weren't going to do that for a top-tier player like Mogilny or whomever.

 

[CuuuJooo]

The three women they chose are all solid selections.

At some point, I'd really like to see them go further back than the 1990s, though...

 

[Felidae]

Though I could do without either in, If they're going to induct a 90s power forward, I'd rather Leclair go in than Tkachuk.