Thanks (not really) to some PJ-JO, the Bruins edged out the ‘Canes last night, 3-2. With the Sabres tonight, I figured some more PJ-JO would be appropriate.

2004-05 Swedish Elitset #178

This Axelsson card comes from a random Swedish set during the NHL lockout. PJ signed with the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite League and played in 45 games, scoring 8 goals and helping on 9 others. Surprisingly, Axelsson tallied 95 PIMs! The most he ever got in the NHL was 52 and that was in 55 games. The odd number suggests that he dropped the gloves, but I have no idea against who. PJ returned to the Indians for the 09-10 season and continues to play for the club.

It’s always funny seeing players with their European jerseys because they are always covered with sponsors; it’s like NASCAR over there. The back of the card, in my opinion, is better than the front and I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Upper Deck or Panini incorporate this design into their products.

Go Bruins!

Next, I picked up a few more 2010-11 OPC Legends cards…

Kind of wish they used an older Neely picture. The local card shop has the rest of the Legends that I need, so I’ll be picking those up this weekend and posting them here.

Now, let’s pick up with my Hall of Fame gimmick. Last time, I inducted Sawchuk, Beliveau, Howe, and Harvey while giving the boot to Geoffrion and Rayner. Again, the Veteran’s Committee may get some of these guys in.

In case you missed the previous entries, here they are:

1961-1966
1967-1970
1971-1973

Without further ado…

1974
Dickie Moore

Moore played nine full seasons and parts of five others, so already I feel like he is behind the eight ball. If you play that few full seasons, you better be Bossy-esque. Unfortunately for Moore, he wasn’t. He finished in the top-1o in goals four times (leading once), assists four times (leading once), and points (leading twice). He won back-to-back Art Ross Trophies while taking home NHL All-Star 1st Team selections during that same time (57-58 and 58-59). These accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at and obviously Moore was a really good player. My issue is that he didn’t play long enough or maintain that level of domination longer. I think he is in the HOF now because he was part of that Habs dynasty, winning the Cup six times during his career. Sorry Dickie, but you are out.

Inducted: No one
Kicked out: Dickie Moore

1975
George Armstrong
Glenn Hall
Pierre Pilote

First up, Armstrong who, I have to admit, I know little about. He played his entire career (21 seasons) with the Maple Leafs and served as their captain for 11 years (the longest tenure in franchise history). His numbers are….decent. He never scored more than 23 goals or tallied more than 53 points. He never finished in the top-10 in goals, assists, or points, never won an individual awards, nor was he ever named to an NHL All-Star 1st or 2nd Team. He did, however, win four Cups. Unless someone tells me that he was one of the greatest defensive forwards of all time or that he was the greatest leader of his generation, I can’t bring George into the HOF.

Next is Glenn Hall. Minus his first two years (cups of coffee, really), Hall played for 16 years. During that time, he finished in the top-3 in wins eleven times (leading four times), GAA ten times (leading once), and shutouts eleven times (leading six times). He also is eighth all-time in wins and fourth in shutouts. He won the Calder Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trohy, and three times took home the Vezina Trophy. Add to that seven NHL All-Star 1st Team selections and four 2nd Team selections and you have a goalie who was recognized as one of the best of his era. Mr. Hall, welcome to the Hall.

Pilote is on the clock. Defensemen are the toughest for me to evaluate, but Pilote is an exception. Taking away his rookie campaign (20 games), Pilote played for 13 seasons. During that span he won back-to-back-to-back Norris Trophies and was named to the NHL All-Star 1st Team five times (2nd Team three times). He managed to finish in the top-10 in assists three times and points once. His decent PIM totals (top-10 seven times) gains him lots of respect in my mind. Overall, I have to say he was considered one of the best blueliners of his time. Monsier Pilote, you are in!

Inducted: Glenn Hall and Pierre Pilote
Kicked out: George Armstrong

1976
Johnny Bower
Bill Quackenbush

The China Wall, Johnny Bower. Leaf fans are not going to be happy with me. Bower got a late start in the league, coming in when he was already 29 but not really making a name for himself until his fourth season in the NHL when he was 34! He won two Vezina Trophies but was selected to the NHL All-Star 1st Team only once and never the 2nd Team. This means that one of the seasons he won the Vezina, he wasn’t even selected to the NHL All-Star 1st or 2nd Team. Weird! He finished in the top-10 in wins three times (leading once), GAA six times (leading three straight seasons), and shutouts four times. Keep in mind that he did this during his late 30s. He also was in goal for three straight Cup wins and one other. Ahhh, this is a tough one. He may be a bit overrated because of the Toronto thing, but he also accomplished a lot at such an advanced age. I’m on the fence and that means I can’t put him in. I have a strong feeling that the Veteran’s Committee will put him in.

Bill Quackenbush should be in the HOF solely on name alone. The Quack played 14 seasons split evenly between Detroit and Boston. He was considered an elite offensive defenseman, averaging around 20 points a season. I think his biggest claim to fame is his lack of PIMs. In 774 games, he ran up a mere 95 minutes of penalties. WHAT!? That is definitely not a Drop the Gloves! sort of player. I want my defensemen rugged and hard hitting, not winning a Lady Byng, which Quackenbush did. He was named to three NHL All-Star 1st Teams and two 2nd Teams but that’s about it. Sorry Bill, but I can’t put you in.

Inducted: No one
Kicked out: Johnny Bower (ouch) and Bill Quackenbush

That’s all I have for now. Let’s hear it, Maple Leaf fans!

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