Takin' a T/O With BT: Was This Doug Gilmour's Last Chance at The Hall Of Fame?

Yesterday, the 2008 inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame were announced. The list was comprised of Igor Larianov, Glenn Anderson, Ed Chynoweth, and Ray Scapinello.

Unfortunately, for those on his side, Doug Gilmour was not on the list.

To be honest, I'd love to see Doug Gilmour in the Hall of Fame, but I've never felt that he played at the calibre that earns you Hall of Fame status.

Was he great? Sure he was, I mean he's the second highest scorer not to be inducted, a former Selke winner, and was once runner up for league MVP— but he just never struck me as a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and to get, only get consideration for the Hall because of a weak class doesn't seem fitting to Doug's career and how he played the game.

What's more is that, because of where the Hockey Hall of Fame is located (Toronto), the fans there feel obligated to have their voices heard about who should be in. In their eyes it should be Douggie.

Every time he doesn't get in, it's seen as a slight to a player who apparently should be.

Am I saying I don't love or respect Doug Gilmour as a player? No. Hell, the man crawled off the ice in his last game as a Maple Leaf, refusing to give up. But, as it pains me to say, unless he's battling Kip Miller and Rory Fitzpatrick for a spot on the ballot, I don't see him getting in.

But who was Doug Gilmour?

Well, Doug was the guy who would lay the big hit in behind the net, the guy who would lead by example, and the guy who would never let his players get down on themselves. Doug could score a big goal, do the dirty work in the corners, or agitate the other team just enough to get them off their game.

He was a true gamer and a leader, and for that he should be remembered by the teams he led.

Aside from that however, Gilmour never seemed to leave an indelible mark on hockey.

He never scored 500 goals and he never tallied 1,000 assists (although he was close on both accounts with 450 and 964). Despite his blood and guts attitude, he only won one Stanley Cup (1989 with Calgary). So can 'Killer' even match up with this years' inductees?

You could say that Igor Larionov never scored like Gilmour—afterall he only started in the NHL when he was 29 and was never a top-line player like Gilmour was. Larionov only scored 169 goals and managed a measly 644 points over his NHL, so what makes him more worthy than Gilmour?

The fact he won. Three Stanley Cups with Detroit, four World Championships for Russia and two Olympic Golds are listed on Larionov's pedigree, labelling him as one of the most consistent winners that the Hockey world ever saw from 1980-2000 (and a little bit longer).

If you wanted to say that he was an innovator, you could do that as well seeing as he helped institute the 'Russian five' for the Detroit Red Wings—the concept of playing the same five men (three forwards, two defense) together for a majority of their shifts—which originated in Russia.

What about Glenn Anderson, who played with Doug in Toronto?

Well, Anderson also caught the 'winning syndrome': he had five Stanley Cups—including being a part of the team which brought the fans of the New York Rangers their first cup since 1939-40.

And with all those cups comes the playoff pedigree: Over 200 playoff games, over 200 playoff points, and the recognition of being the guy who brought his A game when the season was on the line.

Gilmour may have surpassed Anderson in games played, assists, points, and point-per-game average in the playoffs, but unfortunately it's not enough to surpass a man with a ring for every finger on his left hand.

So did Doug get shafted? If you think that, then you have to think that about Adam Oates—a man with 1,000 career assist and who was one of the most consistent face-off men of our time.

If you think that, then what about Pavel Bure? Bure was a six-time All Star, led the league in goals three times, and was more productive than Hall of Famer Cam Neely. Bure was also one of the most exciting players of the 90's, so you have to think he deserves a look to.

What about Dino Ciccarelli? Well, I've already talked about that.

I'm sorry to say, but Douggie lost out fair and square—not because of politics, or bias, or malice, or whatever crazy concoction we want to cook up, but because he just wasn't the best choice for it.

Glenn Andrson was. Igor Larionov was. Ed Chynoweth, the man who basically made the CHL and shaped the landscape for what it is today, was. Ray Scapinello, one of the most enjoyable and consistent linesmen in the game with one of the most enjoyable nicknames ('Scallapini') was.

It pains me to say this, but Doug Gilmour wasn't.

But whether you or not you ever get in though Doug, I'll be clapping extra-hard when the Maple Leafs 'honor' your number, because that's where you belong.