Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,148
Okay this is another one of those "should he be in the Hall" posts. Love them or hate them they create good debates. This is my case for the reason Adam Oates should be in there.
For starters I'll agree in recent years that the Hall has been too soft on the inductees, and the fact that Kirk McLean or even Mike Richter are considered is very questionable. But in Oates' case I want to go over his numbers with you. First off his highest point seasons were: 142, 115, 112, 102, 99, 92. Not too shabby I must say. What makes the 142 even more eye popping is that Cam Neely was injured that whole year too.
Oates was never a bona fide sniper. He did hit 45 goals in '92-93 but never more than 32 other than that. It was his playmaking that set him apart. He led the league in assists three times. He is well over a point a game in his career and in the playoffs he's right at a PPG. He is the only guy to centre two 50 in 50 guys, Hull in '91 Neely in '94. Is it just me or is there a common denominator? It seemed no matter what he could pass to anyone. And as far as it goes for no Cups for him I say so what? He played in 2 Cup finals. And with all due respect St. Louis, Boston, or Washington were never the best team in the league at any time. Besides, do guys like Dionne, Perreault, Sittler, Park, Statsny, Goulet, Ullman get kicked out of the Hall because they never won?
Oates doesnt have any major awards either, but he was Second team all-star in '91. He was one of the best playmakers of all time and other than Gretzky probably the best passer of his generation. How many of you know that between '91-95 he had more points than any other player? Oates gets my bet for the Hall bar none. If this is a shrine for great players then I say throw him in!
For starters I'll agree in recent years that the Hall has been too soft on the inductees, and the fact that Kirk McLean or even Mike Richter are considered is very questionable. But in Oates' case I want to go over his numbers with you. First off his highest point seasons were: 142, 115, 112, 102, 99, 92. Not too shabby I must say. What makes the 142 even more eye popping is that Cam Neely was injured that whole year too.
Oates was never a bona fide sniper. He did hit 45 goals in '92-93 but never more than 32 other than that. It was his playmaking that set him apart. He led the league in assists three times. He is well over a point a game in his career and in the playoffs he's right at a PPG. He is the only guy to centre two 50 in 50 guys, Hull in '91 Neely in '94. Is it just me or is there a common denominator? It seemed no matter what he could pass to anyone. And as far as it goes for no Cups for him I say so what? He played in 2 Cup finals. And with all due respect St. Louis, Boston, or Washington were never the best team in the league at any time. Besides, do guys like Dionne, Perreault, Sittler, Park, Statsny, Goulet, Ullman get kicked out of the Hall because they never won?
Oates doesnt have any major awards either, but he was Second team all-star in '91. He was one of the best playmakers of all time and other than Gretzky probably the best passer of his generation. How many of you know that between '91-95 he had more points than any other player? Oates gets my bet for the Hall bar none. If this is a shrine for great players then I say throw him in!