Why did Cam Neely make it and Lindros not?

[matsblue13]

I haven't seen both of them play in there prime, but I've heard unbelievable things about Lindros. So I was glancing at there stats, and they both were real good for a short period of time. Although, Lindros had better stats. So, why is it that Cam Neely made the Hall Of Fame and Lindros had been pass over last year?

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[matsblue13]

I'm thinking the whole Nordique and then Bobby Clarke situation had to do with some of it.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Lindros is newly-eligible. How many years did it take for Neely to get in? Five?

 

[matsblue13]

I heard he was the best player in the NHL for a stretch of 3 to 4 years. Is that not enough for him to get in his first year, a year when Dino got in. I'd imagine, and I hope it doesn't happen. If Crosby isn't the same after this concussion and retires at the age of 33, he'll be in the first shot. Although, I did not know Cam Neely took 5 years. Lol I guess that answers some questions

 

[BlackDog13]

As previously posted, Lindros is newly eligible. Prior to injuries, he was arguably the most dominant player in the NHL. What hurt Lindros throughout his career and may continue to do so is the "me" stance he took (or was directed to take by an extremely overzealous and meddlesome father)

For my money, he should be a shoo-in.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Neely is in because he is well liked.

Lindros is not in (yet) because he is not.

I do think Lindros will make it though, he was the best player in the whole league for a while.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Neely is in because he is well liked.

Lindros is not in (yet) because he is not.

This is pretty much it. Personality figures into the voting.

I do think Lindros will make it though, he was the best player in the whole league for a while.

I agree with this too, much like Neely I think we will see Lindros make it after a few ballots.

 

[Psycho Papa Joe]

Neely is in because he is well liked.

Lindros is not in (yet) because he is not.

I do think Lindros will make it though, he was the best player in the whole league for a while.

That's basically what I was going to post. Likeability also got Cheevers in, despite better goalies still being left out.

I really think alot people have forgotten what a monster Lindros was in the mid-90's, so I still wonder if he'll ever get in. The Quebec fiasco, Clarke and the last few years of his career really taint his overall legacy.

In addition, IMO Howe, Oates and Gilmour were better NHLers from a career value perspective and should be recognized first, even though Lindros' peak value is probably higher.

Bure might be in the same boat. Not the most likeable character in NHL history, but a hell of a peak value, but lots of injury problems.

 

[BraveCanadian]

In addition, IMO Howe, Oates and Gilmour were better NHLers from a career value perspective and should be recognized first, even though Lindros' peak value is probably higher.

Those guys should all be in for sure.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Lindros is newly-eligible. How many years did it take for Neely to get in? Five?

This.

Secondarily (but still important), Neely was a nice guy with the media who everyone liked and Lindros was a big jerk.

 

[lextune]

The answer has already been given, but I will add that Lindros will get in, (and deservedly so).

 

[Robert604strom]

Because Cam Neely pretty much invented the Power forward. Without Neely there is no "power forward" catigory. And give it time the Big-e will probaly make it in the hall one day.

 

[Briere Up There*]

Bure and Lindros should get in. They were unbelievable in their primes.

I know Peter Forsberg is getting in and they're not all that far away from him.

 

[Rhiessan71]

Because Cam Neely pretty much invented the Power forward. Without Neely there is no "power forward" catigory. And give it time the Big-e will probaly make it in the hall one day.

I wouldn't go that far, there was this Howe guy

Neely did help define the position though, along with Tocchet, Kerr among others.


But yeah, Lindros was known as big baby and a mama's boy from day one and while he was, for a few years, the most dominant player we have seen since Gretzky and Lemieux in their primes, it was unfortunately short lived and erratic through injuries.

His refusal to even don the Nords jersey on draft day let alone play for them pretty much set the tone early.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

you know what people said about yoko ono, don't you?

yes, i do sir.

and you know what they said about paul mccartney, don't you?

sir, don't you mean john lennon?

no, people liked him.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Always appreciate a good Newsradio reference.

 

[MXD]

Lindros has not been eligible for five years, and was never the best player in the league except for a possible 20-games stretch. I never defended Jagr's much on those boards (mainly because there is a few guys who really overrate him), but I think that Jagr was pretty always ahead of him in that regards.

 

[kingpest19]

I wouldn't go that far, there was this Howe guy

Neely did help define the position though, along with Tocchet, Kerr among others.


But yeah, Lindros was known as big baby and a mama's boy from day one and while he was, for a few years, the most dominant player we have seen since Gretzky and Lemieux in their primes, it was unfortunately short lived and erratic through injuries.

His refusal to even don the Nords jersey on draft day let alone play for them pretty much set the tone early.

Im pretty sure theres more to him not putting on the jersey than his parents.

 

[Rhiessan71]

Im pretty sure there's more to him not putting on the jersey than his parents.

Oh dude, you are definitely underestimating his parents.
I mean maybe you are too young to have seen and heard it first hand and the "legacy" the left upon the Junior ranks was also quite substantial heh.

Like who else could you be talking about? His agent....yeah that was his parents too. His junior coaches....yeah they could barely be in the same room with his parents near the end, just like Clarke later on with the Flyer's.

Let me put it another way...how many hockey players do you know of where you know their mother by their first name.

 

[kingpest19]

Oh dude, you are definitely underestimating his parents.
I mean maybe you are too young to have seen and heard it first hand and the "legacy" the left upon the Junior ranks was also quite substantial heh.

Like who else could you be talking about? His agent....yeah that was his parents too. His junior coaches....yeah they could barely be in the same room with his parents near the end, just like Clarke later on with the Flyer's.

Let me put it another way...how many hockey players do you know of where you know their mother by their first name.

I know what his legacy is as hes only a few years older than me. What Im saying is that the deal with Quebec was bad all around and the blame cant fully be placed on Lindros or his family. Theres two sides to every story you know.

 

[Rhiessan71]

I know what his legacy is as hes only a few years older than me. What Im saying is that the deal with Quebec was bad all around and the blame cant fully be placed on Lindros or his family. There's two sides to every story you know.

Every deal was bad all around according to the Lindros family from the time Eric was 12 years old man.

You know he did the same thing in junior right, that his family refused to let him play for the Greyhounds after being drafted #1 there too.

 

[MXD]

I know what his legacy is as hes only a few years older than me. What Im saying is that the deal with Quebec was bad all around and the blame cant fully be placed on Lindros or his family. Theres two sides to every story you know.

How exactly can you blame the Nords, except for dealing him twice?

 

[pirate94]

Every deal was bad all around according to the Lindros family from the time Eric was 12 years old man.

You know he did the same thing in junior right, that his family refused to let him play for the Greyhounds after being drafted #1 there too.

it's always fun to look at who would have gone where and imagine what could have happened if he played in quebec

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Neely could actually score 50 goals

He has an unofficial 50 in 50. Lindros' attitude probably doesn't help either.

 

[Big Phil]

Neely could actually score 50 goals

He has an unofficial 50 in 50. Lindros' attitude probably doesn't help either.

To be fair Lindros would have scored 50 in at least two years without his injuries. His highest was 47. He also reached 115 points once compared to Neely's peak at 92.

But to the original question, the answer is simply this: popularity. Character. Lindros didn't thrive on either one. This hurt him in the long run.

No doubt in my mind when you take the body of work of both players that Lindros has the better career, peak and dominance. Character is part of the HHOF bylaws though.