Now that Carey Price has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, there is another former Montreal Canadiens player who deserves to have his name called.
There are other former Canadiens who could make a case for the Hall of Fame, including Alexei Kovalev and Andrei Markov. However, Saku Koivu should be the next Montreal player to hear his name called to take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.
Koivu was one of Montreal's most important players
Saku Koivu spent 13 seasons with the Canadiens and was one of the most important players in the organization during that time. He was their captain, often their best player, and someone who meant a lot to the city of Montreal.
Koivu wasn't necessarily the flashiest player in the NHL, but he was incredibly important to the Canadiens. He served as captain for 10 seasons and was often the player Montreal leaned on when it needed someone to step up. He finished his Canadiens career with 191 goals and 450 assists in 792 games, making him one of the more productive players in the organization's modern history.
He also had to overcome something much bigger than hockey. In 2001, Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and missed most of the 2001-02 season while undergoing treatment. He eventually beat cancer and returned to the ice in April 2002, receiving one of the most memorable ovations in Montreal hockey history. That moment alone deserves to go into the Hall of Fame.
That comeback made him an important figure in the franchise's history, but his career shouldn't be defined by that moment. Koivu was a very good NHL player who spent years as one of the most reliable and important pieces of the Canadiens.
He was often considered part of a trio of great captains in Canada during that era, behind Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators. That's pretty good company to be in, especially given the responsibility that comes with captaining Montreal.
Other Canadiens could have a case for the Hall of Fame
Kovalev and Markov are two other names worth considering. Kovalev was an incredibly skilled forward who had some excellent seasons in Montreal, while Markov was a dependable defenceman who spent his entire NHL career with the Canadiens.
Both have arguments worth discussing, but Koivu stands out because of what he meant to the organization and the consistency he brought throughout his time in Montreal.
Unfortunately, Koivu may have to wait years before getting serious consideration for the Hall of Fame. His individual numbers might not jump off the page compared to some other candidates, but there is more to his career than statistics.
One day, Koivu deserves to hear his name called. He was a tremendous player, an important captain, and someone who represented the Canadiens extremely well throughout his career.
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