Archive for June, 2011

Look’s like a few cards are making the jump from general collection to the Hall of Fame collection (Sorry Mark Howe). Not sure yet if these guys would make my Hall of Fame, but congratulations anyways.

1990-91 Upper Deck #55 Ed Belfour

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1988-89 O-Pee-Chee #16 Joe Nieuwendyk

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1984-85 O-Pee-Chee #185 Doug Gilmour

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1986-87 O-Pee-Chee #93 Doug Gilmour

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2004-05 In The Game Franchises US East #A-DG1 Doug Gilmour

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2009-10 Upper Deck SPX Winning Combos Patch #WC-GF Doug Gilmour/Theoren Fleury

Annnnnnnnd we’re back…

Apologies for being absent for a week or so; I’ve been enjoying the afterglow of the Stanley Cup, started a summer job, moved (again), and am trying to enjoy the nice weather. But, vacation time is over, let’s get to business.

First, I’d like to start by picking up on my Hockey Hall of Pretty Good series. I know you’ve all been clamoring to read who I induct and kick out into my revamped Hall of Fame. The anticipation is palpable.

Last go around, I tackled the 1987 and 1988 class, inducting Bobby Clarke, Ed Giacomin, Tony Esposito, Guy Lafleur, and Brad Park while giving the heave-ho to Jacques Laperriere.

You can read all about that and previous posts here:

1961-1966
1967-1970
1971-1973
1974-1976
1977-1978
1979-1980
1981
1982-1984
1985-1986
1987-1988

1989
Darryl Sittler
Vladisla Tretiak

Sittler enjoyed a 15 year career, suiting up for 1096 games and accumulating 1121 total points. Usually guys who average more than a point-per-game are locks for the Hall, especially over the course of long career. But let’s look deeper into the numbers. Six times he scored over 30 goals with five of those times netting 40 or more. He finished in the top-10 in goals three times, assists twice, and total points five times. He never won any individual awards and his teams never won a Cup (lots of 1st round exits). Most disconcerting is that he was only named to one NHL All-Star 2nd Team AND only played in four All-Star games. I don’t know what to make of Sittler. His numbers are very good, always hovering around 100 total points, but his lack of hardware and All-Star team and game selections is troublesome. I’m going to make an unpopular decision and boot him out although I think the Veteran’s Committee will see that he gets in.

I wasn’t going to tackle Tretiak because he never played in the NHL. We can only go off his international performances and anecdotal evidence. By all accounts he was THE goalie in the 70s and 80s, so who am I to disagree. He big blemish: 1980 Olympics, but that can be attributed to his panicky coach. Tretiak is in because the name alone struck fear into the opposition.

Inducted: Vladislav Tretiak
Kicked out: Darryl Sittler

1990
Bill Barber
Fern Flaman
Gilbert Perreault

First up, Bill Barber. Over twelve seasons, Barber scored 30+ goals nine times; four of those seasons he scored 40+ four times with the high water mark being an even 50. Fifty goals sounds impressive (and it is) but consider this: that was good for only 5th in the league! He finished in the top-10 in goals twice, assists once, and total points once while being named to the NHL All-Star 1st Team once and 2nd Team twice. He did win two Stanley Cups and I think this is one of the major reasons why he is in. Well, that and because he was part of the very good LCB line (Leach, Clarke, and Barber). Bill Barber was a very good player, but I don’t consider him one of the all-time greats. Sorry Bill, you’re out.

Flaman is a peculiar inclusion in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played 14 seasons on the Boston and Toronto blueline and scored a total of 208 points. His numbers certainly do not get him in and I cannot see much else that would. He was supposedly quite the brawler in his day and was one rugged dude. My tough guy loving side would induct him just on that; the fact that he played for the B’s for a majority of his career is just gravy. However, I have to be fair and unbiased, so Flaman is out.

Lastly is Gilbert Perreault. Sixteen whole seasons with one team (the Sabres no less) is a feat, especially in the modern era. Perreault is a 500 goal scorer, which tends to be a lock, but as with Sittler, let’s look deeper. He finished in the top-10 in goals four times, assists fives times, and total points five times. He scored 30+ goals ten times with three of those instances being 40+. He won the Calder and a Lady Byng, but never a Cup; he was named to two NHL All-Star 2nd Teams. I almost want to induct him because he is the best player not named Hasek in Sabres history, but if I don’t induct Sittler, I can’t really induct Perreault. 0-3 this round!

Inducted: No one
Kicked out: Bill Barber, Fern Flaman, and Gilbert Perreault

That is it for now on the Hockey Hall of Pretty Good front; let us turn to some cards, shall we?

I haven’t picked up much recently, but here are two recent additions. One is from eBay and one is from my local card shop.

First off…

2010-11 Donruss Tough Times Autograph #7 Paul Baxter

This puts me one closer to the complete Donruss Tough Times autograph set. I will admit to not knowing a whole lot about Baxter, but I’ll be doing some research soon.

Next is some PJ-JO, although that is no longer needed…

1997-98 Be A Player Prismatic Die Cut Autograph #238 Per-Johan Axelsson

These supposedly had a print run of 100 and was on my list for a long time. Once I saw it on eBay, I had to have it.

The circle is complete (well, except for the non-autographed base).

‘Til next time, onwards and upwards!