Sedin Twins are no doubt hall of famers: are they first ballot worthy?
7 years ago
The notion of a current player making their way to the Hall of Fame often incites a knee-jerk reaction. That is especially true of those deemed ‘first ballot’ Hall of Famers.
A first-ballot Hall of Fame player is a player with so prolific a career they’re inducted as soon as they’re eligible — often bypassing those less fortunate or gifted players yet to break through.
When the Sedin’s are eligible to enter the hall of fame, will they be inducted right away?
Players like Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey in recent years have been inducted into the Hall of Fame as soon as they were eligible. In today’s NHL names like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews among others are surefire first ballot Fall of Fame players. Do Canucks star forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin qualify in that kind of class of elite?
Henrik: 2010 Hart Trophy, 2010 Art Ross Trophy, King Clancy Memorial Trophy, 2010, 2011 First All-star team. 2006 Olympic gold medalist. Three-time NHL all-star. 972 career points
Daniel: 2011 Art Ross Trophy, 2011 Ted Lindsey Award, 2011 NHL First All-Star Team. Three-time NHL all-star, 2006 Olympic gold medalist, 945 career points.
The Sedins have another two seasons ( including this year) remaining on their contracts with the Canucks. The Sedins will likely be around beyond the 2017-2018 season as their production hasn’t derailed substantially despite ageing. In the next 3-4 years they play, they could add even more to their repertoire than they already have.
It’d be hard to foresee the Sedins not being inducted into the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done. The two have been pillars in the Vancouver Canucks 46 year history and came only one game short of hoisting the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
The two likely may leave the game without a Stanley Cup ring, but that hasn’t stopped a plethora of talented players from getting into the Hall. If anything, what the Sedins accomplished on their lengthy 2011 Stanley Cup run only helps their chances. Another tidbit to take into account: Every Art Ross Trophy winner that has been Hall of Fame eligible is already enshrined.
Now, as if the Sedin’s were to retire right now, would they be first ballot hall of famers?
For starters, would the twins be inducted into the Hall together, or separately? That’s a key issue in this debate. Despite the fact that the two have accomplished everything together in their hockey careers, could the hall of fame afford to put them in together? Taking up two spots for the Sedin twins could be challenging when the voting comes around, but it could be the only option. Honestly, how much better is one Sedin than the other? What’s Daniel without Henrik and vice versa? If I were forced to choose one or the other, I’d elect with Henrik by only a small hair.
Look at their accolades above; they almost mirror each other. It’s like duplicating the same player. You can’t induct one and not induct the other.
The complicated thing is, each member of the hall of fame selection committee can only nominate one player per year. So unless it’s a co-ordinated and understood idea that both Daniel and Henrik will be nominated, things could be tricky. Thus, of course, the committee makes an exception to the rule.
It may be difficult for both to enter together if they are in the presence of a very strong hall of fame class, but it’s way too early to debate that sort of angle.
They may not get into the hall of fame on their first crack, but the Sedins will get the induction that they deserve, and they’ll get it together. One of the best dynamic duo’s in the league’s history was never split up in their NHL careers, and that won’t start with separate hall of fame inductions.
It just may take some time for it to get done.
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