Had a really awesome morning today…

Before you all freak out, no hockey cards were damaged. I repeat, NO hockey cards were damaged.  I, on the other hand, came out relatively unscathed. No cuts, broken bones, blood, etc. I’m sure that when I wake up tomorrow, though, I’ll feel as though I was mucking around in front of Thomas’ crease.

Speaking of which, the Bruins have sort of turned it on lately. Sure, they haven’t been playing the cream of the crop (Senators, Leafs, and Islanders) but at least their offense is clicking. They’ve had this knack of scoring goals really close together. During the Ottawa game, they scored two in 37 seconds, in Toronto they scored a pair within 9 seconds, 14 seconds, and 28 seconds, and in New York  they scored another pair in 29 seconds and 49 seconds. I’m hoping they continue that tonight as they face off against Edmonton.

And in case you haven’t been following, this Seguin kid has sort of been killin’ it this season: 8 goals, 7 assists and a league best +11. He might make something of himself yet.

Since I am home (a car accident is a good excuse to call in sick) and have nothing better to do than update my blog, I think I’ll pick up where I left off with the Hockey Hall of Pretty Good. Last go around, I looked at the classes of 1993, 1994 and 1995. Edgar Laprade, Steve Shutt, Billy Smith, and Harry Watson got the ol’ heave-ho, while a pair of Hab defencemen got the invite; the Big Bird Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe.

For those of you keeping track at home:

1961-1966
1967-1970
1971-1973
1974-1976
1977-1978
1979-1980
1981
1982-1984
1985-1986
1987-1988
1989-1990
1991-1992
1993-1995

Onwards…

1996
Borje Salming

Along with P.J. Axelsson, Salming ranks among the best Swedish players to ever lace up the skates for an NHL team. He was the first Swede to be inducted into the HOF but will soon be joined by guys like Forsberg, Sundin, and Lindstrom. He played 16 seasons, 15 of those with the Leafs which automatically makes him overrated. Kidding. Looking at his numbers, the first half of his career was excellent; the second half, solid. He retired with 787 points (150 goals and 637 assists) in 1148 games and a +175. Not too shabby. He never won any individual awards and his teams never had much post-season success, but he was named to six straight NHL All-Star Teams (one 1st Team and five 2nd Team). He also finished in the top-10 in assists twice, including a top-3 finish. Working against Salming is the fact that between Orr, Robinson, and Potvin, there was just not enough accolades to go around. Was he as good as those three players? No. Was he at the top of the next level though? Yes. Great blueliners are a tough group to crack, but I think Salming belongs in here; he’s in.

Inducted: Borje Salming
Kicked out: No one

1997
Mario Lemieux
Bryan Trottier

Ha! Do I really need to go over the careers of Lemieux and Trottier? A quick recap:

Mario Lemieux

• 915 games: 690 goals, 1033 assists
• 9th overall in career goals, 10th in assists, 7th in total points
• Ten 100+ point seasons including four that were 150+
• Ten 40+ goal seasons including six 50+, four 60+, two 70+, and one 80+
• 172 points in 107 playoff games
• 2 Stanley Cups
• Calder Trophy
• Six Art Ross Trophies
• Three Hart Trophies
• Four Ted Lindsay Awards
• Two Conn Smythe Trophies
• Six NHL All-Star 1st Team selections
• Four NHL All-Star 2nd Team selections

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