I'll just preface that I understand this might be a tough topic to approach rn, so if the mods decide to take the thread down I'll understand.
The whole situation around Johnny hockey has been nothing short of a tragedy, and perhaps it is unfair to ask this question while the tragedy of this incident clouds our conscience and reasoning at this time. In my opinion though, he was a HHOF level talent who was taken away from us far too early. Now I'm not saying that would've guaranteed he makes it when his career was over, but I can certainly imagine a projection where he makes it if he could've played out his whole career.
Now my thought was that, before leaving Calgary, he almost certainly would've made it. If he had stayed in Calgary, I think he would've been capable of 2 or 3 more 100 pt seasons. He certainly would've broken Iginla's franchise pts record and likely surpassed 1200 pts. After he went to Columbus, I was less sure that projection would've held up. He wouldn't have the same supporting cast that allowed him to put up gaudy pt totals as before. However, I still think 1000 pts was almost a lock and maybe even 1100 if things clicked. Given some of his peak seasons he had and his overall story of overcoming adversity, I think a solid case could've been made if he even had a respectable second half of his career in Columbus. And honestly, I think he could've shown even more than he had once their roster was better put together.
Given the circumstances that have unfolded (an NHL superstar being killed far too early in their life), as well as his pure talent ability and what he meant to his respective franchises, I certainly think he deserves a spot. I can understand why people would disagree with that overall assessment. Regardless, I do hope that players in the the future, especially undersized ones, continue to look to him as a source of inspiration to what they can accomplish.
The whole situation around Johnny hockey has been nothing short of a tragedy, and perhaps it is unfair to ask this question while the tragedy of this incident clouds our conscience and reasoning at this time. In my opinion though, he was a HHOF level talent who was taken away from us far too early. Now I'm not saying that would've guaranteed he makes it when his career was over, but I can certainly imagine a projection where he makes it if he could've played out his whole career.
Now my thought was that, before leaving Calgary, he almost certainly would've made it. If he had stayed in Calgary, I think he would've been capable of 2 or 3 more 100 pt seasons. He certainly would've broken Iginla's franchise pts record and likely surpassed 1200 pts. After he went to Columbus, I was less sure that projection would've held up. He wouldn't have the same supporting cast that allowed him to put up gaudy pt totals as before. However, I still think 1000 pts was almost a lock and maybe even 1100 if things clicked. Given some of his peak seasons he had and his overall story of overcoming adversity, I think a solid case could've been made if he even had a respectable second half of his career in Columbus. And honestly, I think he could've shown even more than he had once their roster was better put together.
Given the circumstances that have unfolded (an NHL superstar being killed far too early in their life), as well as his pure talent ability and what he meant to his respective franchises, I certainly think he deserves a spot. I can understand why people would disagree with that overall assessment. Regardless, I do hope that players in the the future, especially undersized ones, continue to look to him as a source of inspiration to what they can accomplish.
