Original Six

Does Leo Boivin Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

With the exception of a strong playoff run in 1957, Leo Boivin had a decent career that sure doesn’t look like a Hall of Fame one.

He never won an individual award or the Stanley Cup and he only ever finished Top 5 in Norris voting once. (And he played most of his career during the Norris-trophy era.)

He is among the most controversial Hockey Hall of Fame inductees ever. And so in this episode we ask whether or not Leo Boivin belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Listen to us talk about his Hall of Fame case here:

Does Brad Park Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Brad Park was always a bridesmaid – few people have been nominated so many times for major awards and never won one. In addition, Park was in three Stanley Cup finals and never won.

So Brad Park had some bad luck. And it’s possible that he was the second best defenseman of his era – at least based on Norris trophy nominations.

So, where does Brad Park rank all time?

Listen to us talk about Brad Park’s Hall of Fame career here:

Does Buddy O’Connor Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Buddy O’Connor as Montreal Canadien
team publicity photo
1940s
Montreal Canadiens
(Life time: pre-1949. copyright expired)

Buddy O’Connor was the first ever Hall of Fame inductee of the old Veteran’s Committee. He is one of only 4 Rangers to ever win the Hart Trophy.

But we’re not sure O’Connor deserved his Hart. And, if he didn’t deserve the trophy, his case isn’t so good. He had some good seasons but he was arguably never the best player in the league.

So, does Buddy O’Connor belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Listen to us discuss it here:

Does Fern Flaman belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Flaman was an old-school defender who rarely scored, so we can’t evaluate his career based on his numbers.

But he had a stretch of Top 5 Norris finishes, including a few Top 3 finishes, and some 2nd All Star Team appearances that suggest he was really well regarded near the end of his career.

So, does Fernie Flaman belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

List to us talk about him here:

Should Clint Smith be in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Clint Smith set the single-season record for assists in the ’40s. So of course he should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Right?

Well, he did it during World War II, when talent in the league was quiet watered down. He doesn’t have a lot of other accomplishments. And he doesn’t have the Cups that many other “veterans committee” inductees of the ’90s have.

So, does Clint Smith belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Listen to us try to sort it out here:

Why is Bob Pulford in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Bob Pulford is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If you’re a Leafs fan, like one of us, you probably never asked “why?”

Pulford led the playoffs in assists when the Leafs last one a Stanley Cup. He also led the league in Short-Handed goals three times. That’s basically his case.

Don’t believe us? Read on. Or listen to us talk about Bob Pulford’s Hall of Fame case here:

Why is Woody Dumart in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Woody Dumart was a member of the famed Kraut Line. He won 2 Stanley Cups as a member of the Bruins.

But that’s basically it. He had one very good offensive season and the only reason he may have been inducted is he played a very long time.

Why is Woody Dumart in the Hockey Hall of Fame? We discuss here:

Why is Edgar Laprade in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

There are few more controversial inductees than New York Rangers centre Edgar Laprade.

If you don’t know about the controversy, it’s because Laprade was inducted in the early 1990s, before internet hockey Hall of Fame discussion really took off.

But, make no mistake, Laprade’s case is slight. (To put it mildly.) We really don’t know why he’s in.

If you know, please comment below.

And listen to us try to figure out why Laprade is in the Hockey Hall of Fame here:

Why is Harry Watson in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Harry Watson won five Cups. And, uh, he was on some leader-boards when he retired in 1957. And, um, he was a pretty good scorer a couple of times.

This, it appears, was enough to get him inducted into the Hall of Fame nearly 40 years after he retired.

Listen to us discuss Harry Watson’s Hockey Hall of Fame case here:

Why is Bobby Bauer in the Hall of Fame?

Bobby Bauer was part of the famous Kraut Line. And he won two Stanley Cups, one Memorial Cup and one Allan Cup. (He might be the last hockey player to win all three.)

But he was never even the best player on his own team, let alone in the league. And he underperformed in the NHL playoffs.

Not only is it kind of strange that he’s in the Hall of Fame, but it’s extra strange he was inducted 40+ years after he retired and over 30 years after he died.

So why is Bobby Bauer in the Hall of Fame?

Listen as we try to find out: