Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,148
Usually the Conn Smythe Trophy is the topping of a great career. Most guys that win it are in the Hall of Fame. Rightly so cause its a major award and you have to be good to win. But some who win it arent that great but just good for a short time. So here's my list of guys who arent (or aren't going to be in the Hall) that won the Conn Smythe. For Giguere ('03) and Richards ('04) its too early, so forget them. So who are the best and if you had to chose which one to be in the Hall who deserves it the best? Or who is just the best in your opinion. (In brackets is the year they won it)
Roger Crozier - ('66) Really only had two good years. His first season in '64-65 and the next year.
Reggie Leach ('76) Like Crozier he won it on a losing team. He got 19 goals that spring for Philly! But to me what a streak scorer he was. The year he led the league in goals he had 61, then next year he had 32. Other than that he had a 45 goal season and another 50 in '80. Just terribly inconsistent I thought.
Butch Goring ('81) - Had a very good NHL career. He was traded to the Isles in March of '80 and they win the Cup two months later. then he wins the Conn Smythe the following year just to show that he's not just along for the ride.
Ron Hextall ('87) - Has 296 career wins. His best season was '87. He may not deserve the Hall depending on who you talk to, but I think he's in over Richter!
Bill Ranford ('90) - Led a team to greatness when no one thought they would without #99. Did the same to the Canada Cup team in '91. He was MVP there as well. Ranford was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career but didnt really do much after '91 to prove it.
Claude Lemieux ('95) - Much like Mike Richter. He was often in the right place at the right time. Clutch thats for sure, but terribly inconsistent.
Mike Vernon ('97) - Was surprised that he wasnt considered more seriously for Hall induction in '05 but oh well. Vernon is probably the best goalie on this list.
Joe Nieuwendyk ('99) - He's won three Cups with three different teams. That's very good, but for some reason with all of his skill and the good teams he played on he never hit 100 points. There's a lot of love for Nieuwy to be in the Hall but I have him on the outside looking in.
Roger Crozier - ('66) Really only had two good years. His first season in '64-65 and the next year.
Reggie Leach ('76) Like Crozier he won it on a losing team. He got 19 goals that spring for Philly! But to me what a streak scorer he was. The year he led the league in goals he had 61, then next year he had 32. Other than that he had a 45 goal season and another 50 in '80. Just terribly inconsistent I thought.
Butch Goring ('81) - Had a very good NHL career. He was traded to the Isles in March of '80 and they win the Cup two months later. then he wins the Conn Smythe the following year just to show that he's not just along for the ride.
Ron Hextall ('87) - Has 296 career wins. His best season was '87. He may not deserve the Hall depending on who you talk to, but I think he's in over Richter!
Bill Ranford ('90) - Led a team to greatness when no one thought they would without #99. Did the same to the Canada Cup team in '91. He was MVP there as well. Ranford was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career but didnt really do much after '91 to prove it.
Claude Lemieux ('95) - Much like Mike Richter. He was often in the right place at the right time. Clutch thats for sure, but terribly inconsistent.
Mike Vernon ('97) - Was surprised that he wasnt considered more seriously for Hall induction in '05 but oh well. Vernon is probably the best goalie on this list.
Joe Nieuwendyk ('99) - He's won three Cups with three different teams. That's very good, but for some reason with all of his skill and the good teams he played on he never hit 100 points. There's a lot of love for Nieuwy to be in the Hall but I have him on the outside looking in.
