A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Three Former Habs Who Deserve Hall of Fame Nod Today – But Likely Won’t

By Ken MacMillan

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 15: Guy Carbonneau attends a photo opportunity for the 2019 Induction Ceremony at the Hockey Hall Of Fame on November 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 15: Guy Carbonneau attends a photo opportunity for the 2019 Induction Ceremony at the Hockey Hall Of Fame on November 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next

The Montreal Canadiens have a rich history filled with Hall of Fame talent. These three former Habs deserve to be enshrined as well.

The Montreal Canadiens have a long history that is filled with Hall of Fame players. They have had dynasties in the 1950’s led by the likes of Jean Beliveau, Maurice Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Henri Richard, Doug Harvey and Jacques Plante, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame. The 1970’s featured another dynasty with future Hall of Famers like Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson and Guy Lafleur.

There is no question that “The Hall” is filled with former Habs getting their due recognition. From the earliest days of the franchise when Newsy Lalonde and Howie Morenz were stars to the most recent example of Guy Carbonneau just last year, there has been former Montreal Canadiens getting recognized by the Hall of Fame since it opened its doors.

Still, though dozens of former players have already been honoured, there are a few more former Habs that should hear there name called some day. Among current players, Carey Price will eventually have a strong resume that should see him end up in the Hall of Fame. Recent retirees like Andrei Markov and Saku Koivu have a special place in Habs fans hearts, but they likely fall short of the requirements for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Recently, we have seen a few former Habs enshrined after lengthy waits. Mark Recchi was eligible in 2014 but finally got enough votes from the committee in 2017. Guy Carbonneau retired in 2000 so he was eligible for voting in 2003 after the mandatory three year waiting period but he was just elected last year. Rogie Vachon was eligible since 1985 but was finally selected in 2016, begging the question, what did he do as a 70 year old that finally put him over the top?

This morning, we will learn who will be the 2020 class for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Former Habs who are eligible for the first time include Mike Ribeiro, P.A. Parenteau and Steve Ott. Needless to say, I don’t think we will see any former Habs who are first time eligible getting voted in today.

However, there are some interesting cases to be made for players who have been retired longer than the minimum three years. An honourable mention goes out to Bobby Smith and Claude Lemieux who make decent cases, but not quite as strong as these three players:

Home/Analysis