Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,146
George Armstong - I like the Chief. And to be honest I have no problem with him being in there since he was a little bit better IMO than Duff or Pulford. But outside of the fact that he captained the Leafs to 4 Cups I have to be honest and say there isnt a WHOLE lot spearating him from Pulford. Their point totals are fairly similar, Armstrong never put up more than 53 points in a season. From '62-64 I'll probably take his play in the playoffs over Pulford's but once '67 hit his main mark was the empty net goal in the 6th game of the Cup finals. Yes he was a well rounded player and points werent all of his game but for most of his career he was a perennial 40 point man which isnt good even for his era. To be honest his 4 Cups, and being captain on all of them is the only thing that pushes him over the top because other than that he has a slim case for the Hall.
Syd Howe - Just have never really been a fan of him being in the Hall. Had one year where he made a season end all-star team and that was 2nd team in '45 during the WWII years. In fact his three best seasons are war years. He won three Cups with Detroit but never led the league in anything. He lasted one year after '45 and that was it. I've always thought he was a marginal Hall of Famer that gets forgotten. Plus those Detroit teams in '36, '37 that won the Cup may be the most forgotten teams that won back to back Cups in NHL history. Marty Barry ma have been their best player and there's nothing wrong with that but Howe was nowhere near the leagues elite in those years.
Larry Murphy - For the life of me I often wonder why Murphy ever gets brought up as a controversial Hall of Famer. One of the best offensive defensemen to ever play the game I think. So was Phil Housley but the difference is huge. He may have had only three seasons where he was a 2nd all-star team ('87, '93, '95) but lets not forget he was a very good playoff performer as well. He won a pair of Cups with Pittsburgh and then two more with Detroit. Players with 4 Cups and three post season all-star awards usually dont get left out. Also when the Canada Cups came calling Murphy was there in '87 and '91, winning both for Canada. Also keep in mind he helped start mini dynasties twice while being traded in the middle of the season. Where's the common denominator? It's Murphy. His style wasnt anything that made you jump out of your seat which explains why he never played in the all-star game until 1994, but his career in many ways is not that different than Guy Lapointe's IMO. A defenseman with 1216 points that isnt rotten defensively should never be a questionable pick and I dont think he is.
Syd Howe - Just have never really been a fan of him being in the Hall. Had one year where he made a season end all-star team and that was 2nd team in '45 during the WWII years. In fact his three best seasons are war years. He won three Cups with Detroit but never led the league in anything. He lasted one year after '45 and that was it. I've always thought he was a marginal Hall of Famer that gets forgotten. Plus those Detroit teams in '36, '37 that won the Cup may be the most forgotten teams that won back to back Cups in NHL history. Marty Barry ma have been their best player and there's nothing wrong with that but Howe was nowhere near the leagues elite in those years.
Larry Murphy - For the life of me I often wonder why Murphy ever gets brought up as a controversial Hall of Famer. One of the best offensive defensemen to ever play the game I think. So was Phil Housley but the difference is huge. He may have had only three seasons where he was a 2nd all-star team ('87, '93, '95) but lets not forget he was a very good playoff performer as well. He won a pair of Cups with Pittsburgh and then two more with Detroit. Players with 4 Cups and three post season all-star awards usually dont get left out. Also when the Canada Cups came calling Murphy was there in '87 and '91, winning both for Canada. Also keep in mind he helped start mini dynasties twice while being traded in the middle of the season. Where's the common denominator? It's Murphy. His style wasnt anything that made you jump out of your seat which explains why he never played in the all-star game until 1994, but his career in many ways is not that different than Guy Lapointe's IMO. A defenseman with 1216 points that isnt rotten defensively should never be a questionable pick and I dont think he is.
