Norris Trophy

Is Red Kelly one of the Greatest NHL Players of All Time?

Red Kelly was one of the best D of the 1950s and possibly the greatest offensive D to yet play in the NHL. And then he was traded to the Leafs and famously switched to centre. Throughout his career he won more Stanley Cups than any other non-Canadien player. He is one of only 10 players to ever have the three-year Hall of Fame waiting requirement waived.

So where does Red Kelly rank all time?

Listen to us talk about Red Kelly’s Hall of Fame and GOAT case here:

Does Tom Johnson Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Tom Johnson won 6 Stanley Cups and he was the only D to break up Dough Harvey’s Norris streak.

But he has few Norris nominations outside of his win and only two end-of-season All Star Team appearances in a sixteen season career. There’s a chicken-or-egg question here: Did Johnson win all these Cups because he played for one of the greatest teams of all time or did the Canadiens win all these Cups in part due to a player like Tom Johnson?

So, we wonder, does Tom Johnson belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Listen here:

Is Doug Harvey the Greatest Defenceman of All Time?

There’s_no_action_like_hockey_action_by_Louis_Jaques.jpg:Photographer: Louis Jaques (Weekend Magazine)Credit: Weekend Magazine / Louis Jaques / Library and Archives Canada / e002505707 Copyright: Copyright assigned to Library and Archives Canada by copyright owner Weekend Magazine.derivative work: Leech44, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Until Bobby Orr, nobody had more Norris trophies than Doug Harvey. And, arguably, only other NHL defenceman could claim similar acclaim, Eddie Shore.

But things have changed. There have been numerous D who have eclipsed Harvey’s offensive accomplishments and Lidstrom tied him for the second most Norris trophies ever.

So where does Harvey rank now? Is he Top 3? Top 5? Top 10?

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

Is Pierre Pilote one of the Greatest Defencmen of All Time?

Pierre Pilote is, by some metrics, one of the greatest NHL D of All Time. He has more Norris Trophies (3) than all but four other D. And only 6 D have appeared on more end-of-season All Star Teams.

So obviously Pierre Pilote belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame. But where does he rank among the best D ever?

Listen to us talk about Pierre Pilote here:

Is Bobby Orr the Greatest Hockey Player of All Time?

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There is a never-ending debate among hockey fans as to which player of Gretzky, Lemieux and Orr was the greatest. There are certain areas where each stands supreme.

Our vote is for Orr because we think he played the more difficult and more important position and because he revolutionized the position as well. (Also, the skating.) But at least one of us thinks there’s room for debate.

Listen to us talk about Bobby Orr:

Does Harry Howell Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Harry Howell was the career leader in Games Played by a D at his departure for the WHA. And he won the Norris, of course. And he made 1st All Star Team.

But that’s it. That’s his whole Hall of Fame case.

So, does Harry Howell really belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Listen here:

Is Potvin One of the Greatest Defencemen of All Time?

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Denis Potvin was the greatest offensive D between Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey. He might have been the best all around defender too, as when was the last time you heard someone complain about his defence?

So obviously Denis Potvin belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame. But where does he rank all time?

Listen to us try to figure it out:

Is Larry Robinson one of the Greatest Defencemen of All Time?

Larry Robinson is the All Time Leader in Plus Minus and has a pretty remarkable career.

Yet sometimes he feels a bit forgotten, surrounded as he was by Hall of Fame Teammates on the Greatest Hockey Team of All Time.

Where does he rank among the All Time Greats? Does he even make your list?

Listen to us talk about Larry Robinson here:

Does Rod Langway Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Rod Langway won two Norris trophies and finished 2nd in Hart trophy voting to Wayne Gretzk once. He totally belongs, right?

However, Langway is the basically only purely defensive defenseman to win the Norris trophy in the trophy’s history. (Or, if you prefer, he’s the only purely defensive defenseman to win it since Bobby Orr transformed the position.)

Listen to us discuss whether or not he belongs:

Is Ray Bourque the Greatest D of All Time?

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Ray bourque is the career leader in goals, assists and points for a D, he has 5 Norris Trophies and he has more end-of-season All Star team appearances than anyone other than Gordie Howe.

So where does he rank all time among the greatest defencemen ever? Is he #2? Is he not even in the Top 5 as one of us used to believe?

Listen to us talk about Bourque here: