Not to further pile on the poster, but it's always been a peeve of mine when fans try to "perfect" player's careers, and suggest that they should have retired earlier.
And, here in the case of Yzerman, as well as with countless others (e.g., Messier, Mario, etc.) devalue the player for hanging on several years longer than the critics would have liked.
Hint: It's his career, his livelihood. And so what if the Steve Yzerman of 2006 (still a very servicable player) was not the Stevie Y of 1996?! There are those geniuses who suggest that Messier's reputation as a great leader was marred because of his last several seasons on a non-playoff Rangers team. Guess what? Those teams stunk! Not to mention that in the yerars prior, Messier accomplished more than most others who ever played the game!
Why not just appreciate the player for what he is? I personally NEVER want to see greats retire, and never understand why fans are eager to send players out to pasture prematurely, so that their own idea of a perfect career is served.
Actually I wanted Yzerman to play another a year. I wanted to see him get his 700th goal and he also needed 55 points to become the Red Wings all-time leading scorer. If he would've reached those milestones then he would've been a definite lock for the HOF. Anyways I agree that the veteran players should play as long as they want.
He was a lock for the Hall of Fame 10 or 12 years ago. Why you can't see that........?
It's just one of those things that I have to actually see it happen to believe it. It's not a guarantee like it is with Messier, Francis, Hull, Robitaille, Stevens, Lidstrom, Chelios, Sakic, etc. I've seen how Yzerman has been overlooked during his career so it just wouldn't be a bit surprising if it happens again. This is just like with the number retirement. I didn't think that would happen either. I had to hear someone from Red Wings management announce it before I believed it would happen.
He's more guaranteed than any of the players you list except Messier. Absolutely everyone considers him one of the game's all-time greats. Since 1980 only Gretzky, Messier, Lemieux, Roy, and maybe Bourque would rate ahead of him.
The guy has been absolutely showered with awards and praise throughout his career. He's never been overlooked in any way, shape or form. He'll go into the HHOF on the first ballot, likely getting 100% of the possible votes.
You live under some sort of very strange rock.
He's more guaranteed than any of the players you list except Messier. Absolutely everyone considers him one of the game's all-time greats. Since 1980 only Gretzky, Messier, Lemieux, Roy, and maybe Bourque would rate ahead of him.
The guy has been absolutely showered with awards and praise throughout his career. He's never been overlooked in any way, shape or form. He'll go into the HHOF on the first ballot, likely getting 100% of the possible votes.
You live under some sort of very strange rock.
You're joking right? Yzerman showered with awards? LOL. Yzerman has only won 1 Pearson, 1 Selke, 1 conn smythe, 1 Masterton trophy, and of course his most recent the Lester Patrick award. That is hardly being showered with awards. He's been constantly overlooked and as recent as 2002 when he should've won the conn smythe. He also should've won the calder, a couple hart trophies, another selke, and he should've had more post season all-star selections.
Players like Gretzky, Lemieux, Chelios, Lidstrom, Sakic, etc. have been showered with awards, but not Yzerman.
You're joking right? Yzerman showered with awards? LOL. Yzerman has only won 1 Pearson, 1 Selke, 1 conn smythe, 1 Masterton trophy, and of course his most recent the Lester Patrick award. That is hardly being showered with awards. He's been constantly overlooked and as recent as 2002 when he should've won the conn smythe. He also should've won the calder, a couple hart trophies, another selke, and he should've had more post season all-star selections.
Players like Gretzky, Lemieux, Chelios, Lidstrom, Sakic, etc. have been showered with awards, but not Yzerman.
You likely care more about the awards (5 DIFFERENT TROPHY'S!!!) he won or didn't win than Yzerman himself does. I sure don't think it matters that Yzerman did not win the 2002 Conn Smythe because his play that playoffs will reasonate for the next 50 years with or without a trophy. One freaking leg!!!!!
PS: If you think Ron Francis is a more likely HOFer and got more respect and accolades during his career than Ron Francis did then you are living on a different planet.
Man, Yzerman is quite comfortably a top 50 player all time at this point. He is undoubtably in the Hall on his first ballot, it is literally impossible (baring a complete scandal) for him not to get in on his first ballot.I'm well aware that Ron Francis has won fewer awards than Yzerman. The one big thing that puts Francis ahead of Yzerman is the fact that Francis is in the top 5 for all-time points, while Yzerman is not in the top 5.
I'm well aware that Ron Francis has won fewer awards than Yzerman. The one big thing that puts Francis ahead of Yzerman is the fact that Francis is in the top 5 for all-time points, while Yzerman is not in the top 5.
Well Yzerman got 22 more points than Mario so I guess Stevie Y was better than Mario. And Francis was better than them both.
Of course not. Mario has played in alot less games than both Yzerman and Francis. Mario has also won alot more awards than both of them.