Alexander Mogilny is elected to HHOF

[Hawerchuk]

FINALLY! Long overdue. Practically every game I went to that season '92-'93 at The Aud, Mogilny had a hattrick. It was unbelievable. Him and LalalalalalalaFontaine were absolute magic out there. Congratulations #89

[GASabresIUFAN]

Happy for Alex. When does Rick Martin get in?

[The Jokeman]

He opened the opportunity of others Russians to join the NHL. That season he score 76 was amazing. I met him that season at an autograph signings and was a happy moment in my Sabres fandom. 

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, Weave said:

There were alot of rumors swirling about Russian mafia shaking down NHL players.  I recall Bure being linked to the Russian mob.  I always assumed that Mogilny’s fear of flying was related to threats on his life.  I know there was speculation it was related to him not wanting to be a Sabre, or not wanting to be under Bowman. I thought fear of the Russian mob was the more likely circumstance.

Honestly I thought he was just afraid to fly. Some people are. 

Russian mob may have had an influence on this or that though. I know they had some associations with players in Montreal. Mogilny was a quirky guy though. Him and LaFontaine especially were fun to watch. 

That gets me thinking though. You know we don't have a line that has that sort of chemistry. Not even a dynamic duo. Most really good teams have a few guys who just fit together. You could say we had Eichel and Reinhart but since then it's all individuals and moving pieces. They really need to find a way to fit some guys together and have them develop some synergy.

[gilbert11]

4 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:

How is he not in already, NHL is an abomination, the red headed step child of sports.

Well, I think the Pro Football Hall of Very Good goes too far the other way.   If you don’t make it, the 1st, 2nd, 3td…..time, just wait, you’ll get in eventually.  You even get another shot with the veteran’s committee.   I don’t understand their logic in having a set number (5?) to elect in each year.  Is it all about having a big crowd?
 

Major kudos to the Baseball Hall of Fame, who in recent years have voted in nobody.

[shrader]

Wayne Gretzky

Brett Hull

Mario Lemieux

No, not three people who have never been in your kitchen. The only three people to score more goals in one season than Mogilny. But by all means, make the guy wait almost 20 years to get in. 

[Believer]

4 hours ago, Eleven said:

For those who have not seen and/or do not know about this absolutely excellent short documentary about the process of his defection:

 

 

Thanks for posting this video, Eleven. And, welcome back.

Cannot imagine Kevin Adams having the audacity to do anything even close to this myself.

Meehan was a General Manager.

 

 

 

[Scottysabres]

Good for him. Thrilling overall NHL career story, from dodging kgb agents to 74 goals and a cup with NJ I believe. Definitely a good HOF section to stop and read on if they do it right.

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Honestly I thought he was just afraid to fly. Some people are. 

Russian mob may have had an influence on this or that though. I know they had some associations with players in Montreal. Mogilny was a quirky guy though. Him and LaFontaine especially were fun to watch. 

That gets me thinking though. You know we don't have a line that has that sort of chemistry. Not even a dynamic duo. Most really good teams have a few guys who just fit together. You could say we had Eichel and Reinhart but since then it's all individuals and moving pieces. They really need to find a way to fit some guys together and have them develop some synergy.

Peterka and Quinn had it in Rochester and flashed it as rookies.

Would love to see them get a chance to rekindle that with a tough, savvy centre.

If only Dylan Cozens could have matched his concept.

[shrader]

33 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Good for him. Thrilling overall NHL career story, from dodging kgb agents to 74 goals and a cup with NJ I believe. Definitely a good HOF section to stop and read on if they do it right.

Ignoring two of the goals he scored that year… maybe that’s why it took so long to get in. 

[Big Guava]

About time

[PerreaultForever]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Peterka and Quinn had it in Rochester and flashed it as rookies.

Would love to see them get a chance to rekindle that with a tough, savvy centre.

If only Dylan Cozens could have matched his concept.

Well that's Rochester. They certainly didn't have it here last season. Maybe Norris and Thompson will be something (there was a brief flash of potential there) but that of course depends on if Norris can be healthy and if Ruff moves Thompson to the wing with Kulich or McLeod as 2C and 3C respectively. 

Honestly, if all healthy and not traded I expect something like:

Peterka-Norris-Thompson

Zucker-Kulich/McLeod- Quinn

Benson-McLeod/Kulich-Greenway

Malentstyn-Krebs-Lafferty

But likely SOMETHING changes between now and the season. This line up isn't good enough and UPL Levi will not get us there either. 

[Scottysabres]

1 hour ago, shrader said:

Ignoring two of the goals he scored that year… maybe that’s why it took so long to get in. 

Was it 76? I don’t know, 88 to 96 were my lost years, I was overseas most of it.