Is Kevin Lowe the Worst Player to be Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Normally with our subject lines we ask “Does so and so belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame”? But, with Kevin Lowe, it’s hard to ask that question seriously even though he’s been inducted.

And that’s because, as you’ll see below, Kevin Lowe’s case for Hall of Fame induction rests on one thing and one thing alone: he won some Cups.

So listen to us rant about Kevin Lowe in this episode of our podcast:

Kevin Lowe’s Career:

• 1979-98; 19 seasons, 17 quality by DPS
• 84G, 347A for 431P, +260 in 1254 PG; 74.9 PS
• Draft: Lowe, drafted 21st overall in 1979 is ranked
  • 36th in Goals
  • 21st in Assists
  • 25th in Points
  • 4th in Plus/Minus
  • 10th in Point Shares
  • 6th in Games
• Era: Of the 8 D to play in at least 1,148 games (14 seasons) between 1979 and 1998, Lowe is
  • 6th (3rd last) in Goals and GPG
  • 6th (3rd last) in Assists and APG
  • 6th (3rd last) in Points and PPG
  • 4th in Plus/Minus
  • 6th (3rd last) in Offensive Point Shares
  • 7th (2nd last) in Defensive Point Shares
  • 7th (2nd last) in Point Shares
  • 4th in Games Played
• 82-game average: 6G, 23A for 28P, +17
• 3-year peak (1981-84): 80-game average of 6G, 36A for 42P, +41 [Note: Lowe’s three best seasons are too far apart to calculate a proper 3 year peak]
• No possession stats
• Playoffs:
  • 10G,
  • 48A for
  • 58P,
  • +49 in
  • 214 GP (14th All Time, 5th at his retirement)
• Adjusted:
  • Hockey-Reference:
    • 72G, 293A for 365P
    • 82-game average: 5G, 19A for 24P
    • Obviously Lowe is not on any PG leader-boards
  • VsX: Doesn’t qualify for the adjustment because he didn’t score
• Trades:
  • Traded at 33 for Roman Oksiuta (23) and a 3rd Round Pick (guy played 5 NHL games)

Kevin Lowe’s, um, Accomplishments:

• Top 5 in Norris voting once (somehow finishing ahead of Chelios, Coffey, Make Howe and Potvin, nearly all of whom had better seasons)
• Clancy
• Top 10 Defensive Player (by DPS) once (‘82)
• Top 10 in Plus/Minus once
• 7 All Star Game appearances
• VsX: doesn’t qualify for the adjustment because he never scored

Kevin Lowe’s Great Teams:

• NHL:
  • Top 2 D (by points) on one Runner Up (‘83 Oilers)
  • Top 4 D (by points) on one Champion (‘84 Oilers)
  • Role Player (by points) on five Champions (‘85, ‘87, ‘88, ‘90 Oilers, ‘94 Rangers) and two Final Fours (‘91, ‘92 Oilers)
• Canada Cup:
  • Top 4? D (by points) on one Champion (‘84 Canada)
• World Championships:
  • Role Player (by points) on one Runner Up (‘82 Canada)

This is the resume of a player who was just inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame.