Will Vinny Lecavalier Make the Hall of Fame?

[GlitchMarner]

Definitely one of the guys who was hurt by the lockout a bit. Who knows what he would have done in 04/05?

That lockout cost him a prime season.

You have to think that he may have crossed the 1000 point mark for his career if there had been a 2004-2005 season.

 

[CaptBrannigan]

Love Vinny and am a huge fan, but I don’t know if he ends up in the HOF. I’d be surprised if he did, but there are worse players in, so it’s tough to say.

The Cooke hit absolutely contributed to his decline and it shouldn’t be minimized like it has here. Vinny was set for wrist(?) surgery in the offseason and that had to be delayed a full year so he could get the shoulder fixed instead. That wrist injury lingered and got worse over the course of the full next season. It might not have been immediately apparent but the shoulder surgery and subsequent rehab that prevented fixing the wrist issue was unfortunately the beginning of the end.

All of that said, Vinny is the Lightning. Obviously that counts more on a team number retirement level than on a HOF level but it’s something he has in spades.

 

[Goleafsgo95]

No chance.

 

[billybudd]

Nope.

I did chortle slightly at some of the things listed on that resume in the OP though...that's a little light if you're going there so quickly...

"NHL Foundation Player Winner 2008"

 

[BoltsRule]

421 goals + 528 assists= 949 Points
4 time all star
1 Rocket Richard
Stanley Cup & World Cup ( MVP) in 04
King Clancy winner in 08
NHL Foundation Player Winner in 08

 

[BoltsRule]

The big thing for me and unfortunately will never come into play is that he missed 1.5 seasons in the height of his career. That would of netted him minimum 50 more goals and 100 points. Bumping him up or near the magical 500 goals and 1000 points. He also played in an era where 50 goals and 100 points were rare, the clutch and grab era. Anyone that doesn't think he was a fantastic player needs to spend 30 minutes on you tube. The year after he scored 52 goals, he was about 8 points ahead in the scoring race when the wheels fell off for Tampa and both he and Marty St Louis fell off the map. Yes he was on some really poor teams, poor coaching, poor development. Say what you want about the guy.....he could flat out pour it into the net.

 

[Asheville]

All Star game selections mean nothing against the more prestigious post-season All-Star Team selections, which he has one of (2nd Team).

King Clancy winner? Foundation Player winner? Get out of here with that nonsense.

 

[unknown33]

No.
I have a better question. What the heck is 'NHL foundation player'?

 

[Hobnobs]

No.
I have a better question. What the heck is 'NHL foundation player'?

Its an award to a player "who applies the core values of (ice) hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community".

 

[trentmccleary]

All Star game selections mean nothing against the more prestigious post-season All-Star Team selections, which he has one of (2nd Team).

King Clancy winner? Foundation Player winner? Get out of here with that nonsense.

It's certainly not equivalent to stretches of elite play or replaces any supreme accomplishments, but there is a character component listed in HHOF criteria. Perhaps if it ever came down to deciding whether they're going to induct Lecavalier, Fleury or Barrasso it might impact their decision.

 

[Pominville Knows]

He probably benefits in the 'Fame' factor from being a number one overall pick, or call it 'Hype' if you will. Good looking as well, and some Jean Beliveau grace going on.

 

[wetcoast]

That lockout cost him a prime season.

You have to think that he may have crossed the 1000 point mark for his career if there had been a 2004-2005 season.

Even then he would need a career year in that lockout year plus a career playoff year and he still would look kind of suspect for the HHOF.

If his age 20 and 21 seasons were more like his age 19 season and if he had a better rookie season and if he had a better playoff resume............

Nope he isn't even really close to the HHOF with Turgeon, Roenick and Nicholls all needing a ticket.