Does Igor Larionov Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

One of the Russian Five, Larionov has had team success wherever he’s gone. But his individual success only ever occurred outside of the NHL. Does he belong?

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Career: 

  • NHL: 
    • 1989-2004; 14 seasons, 13 quality
    • 169G, 475A for 644P, +104P in 921 Games; 15:15 ATOI (since 1998-99); 54.9 PS
    • Draft: In his draft class (1985), Larionov is
      • 9th in Goals
      • 2nd in Assists
      • 3rd in Points
      • 4th in Plus/Minus
      • 13th in Point Shares
    • Era: Of the 13 players 29 or over to play in at least 750 games between 1989 and 2004, Larionov is
      • 9th in Goals and GPG
      • 7th in Assists and APG
      • 7th in Points
      • 8th in PPG
      • 5th in Plus Minus
      • 11th in Offensive Point Shares
      • 7th in Defensive Point Shares (3rd Forward)
      • 11th in Point Shares
    • 82-game average: 15G, 43A for 57P, +9
    • 3 year peak (‘93-’96): 82-game average of 20G, 53A for 73P, +24
    • Playoffs: 30G, 67A for 97P, +9 in 150 games
    • No possession stats
    • Adjusted: 170G, 500A for 670
    • Adjusted 82-game average: 15G, 45A for 60P
    • Trades:
      • Traded (just shy of 35) for Ray Sheppard (29)
      • Traded (at 40) for Yan Golubovsky (24)
      • Waived once (due to a contract dispute).
  • Soviet:
    • 204G, 230A for 434P in 457 GP
  • NDA:
    • 10G, 19A for 29P in 24 GP

Accomplishments:

  • NHL:
    • Scored 20 goals twice
    • Tallied 50 assists once, 40 assists four times
    • Scored 70 points once, 60 points three times, 50 points five times
    • Top 10 in Plus/Minus twice
    • 1 All Star Game appearance
  • Soviet [not 100% sure about rankings]:
    • MVP (‘88)
    • Top 5 in Goals twice, Top 10 four times
    • Top 5 in Assists five times, Top 10 six times
    • Top 5 in Points four times, Top 10 six times
  • NDA: Didn’t play a full season

Great Teams:

  • NHL:
    • Top 6 Forward (by points) on two Champions (‘97, ‘98 Red Wings) and one Final Four (‘96 Red Wings)
    • Top 9 Forward on one Champion (‘02 Red Wings)
  • Olympics:
    • Top 3 Forward on one Champion (‘88 USSR)
    • Top 6? Forward on one Champion (‘84 USSR)
    • Top 9? Forward on one Bronze Medalist (‘02 Russia)
  • Canada Cup:
    • Top 9? Forward on one Champion (‘81 USSR)
  • World Championships:
    • Media All Star and Top 3 Forward on one Champion (‘83 USSR)
    • Top 3 Forward on one Runner Up (‘87 USSR)
    • Media All Star and Top 6 Forward on one Champion (‘86 USSR)
    • Top 6 Forward on one Champion (‘82 USSR)
    • Top 6? Forward on one Bronze Medalist (‘85 USSR)
    • Top 9? Forward on one Champion (‘89 USSR)
  • World Juniors:
    • Media All Star and Top 3 Forward on one Champion (‘80 USSR)
    • Top 6 Forward on one Champion (‘79 USSR)
  • European Cup:
    • 8 Championships: won the championship every year he was on HC CSKA 
  • European Juniors:
    • Top 6? Forward on one Runner Up (‘78 USSR)
  • Soviet League:
    • 8 Championships: won the championship every year he was on HC CSKA Moscow 
    • USSR Cup Champion (‘88)
  • Super Series:
    • Larionov was on two of the Moscow teams which always beat the NHL

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