NEW YORK — Jacob Trouba doesn’t spend time thinking about his perceived villainy. Many NHL fans do, as they watch the New York Rangers defenseman pulverize opponents with his signature open-ice checks, sometimes with injurious results. They call for penalties that aren’t whistled. They call for suspensions that aren’t handed out. They boo him when […]
Continue readingThe most frustrated I’ve ever been with the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee was 10 years ago, when its members snubbed coach Pat Burns. He was dying of cancer. “I know my life is nearing its end, and I accept that,” Burns said in April of that year. The Hall of Fame chose not […]
Continue readingIf only there were a formula that could determine Hall worthiness … Well, three years ago, we created one. It’s a simple four-quadrant test that one can apply to prospective Hall of Fame candidates to see whether they have the stuff of legends, and here it is: 1. Individual production: This encompasses a player’s statistical […]
Continue readingWhether it’s a perceived cheap shot, a situation where they were allegedly wronged by the on-ice officials, a major mistake by their own team management — or in one case, an NHL arbitrator — these are deep wounds whose scars remain several years (or even decades) later. Let’s delve into the leading grudge for every […]
Continue reading