1. I am taking some time away from the Mets-Cards Game 4 to publicize what I feel is a great injustice being done to two of the NHL's greatest all-time players. I will also footnote the point made a couple of weeks ago by our frequent viewer, OverDaRainbow. Mike Gartner and Pat LaFontaine have not yet had their sweater numbers retired by the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders, respectively.
2. As a Cap, Gartner amassed 397 goals, 392 assists for 789 points in 758 games. His points per game make him the most prolific scorer in team history, yet his Number 11 remains available. Keep in mind, the Washington Capitals have three jerseys hanging in the Verizon Center rafters. Those being, Yvon Labre, Rod Langway, and Dale Hunter - all important players, but none has made more of an impact statistically than Gartner. What should be considered totally absurd, is the fact that for the last several years Jeff Halpern has enjoyed the privilege of wearing #11. From the greatest hands in team history to hands of stone. What an insult. It should not matter that Gartner left Washington on "bad" terms. C'mon Mr. Leonsis, retire this number in a Mike Gartner Night ceremony, with the present players clad in the classic red, white, and blue throwback uniforms.
3. Pat LaFontaine, the greatest Islander NOT to win a Stanley Cup, was apparently drafted too late and missed the glory years. Patty, as he was affectionately nicknamed, played 530 games for the New Yorkers. He netted a remarkable 287 goals and assisted on 279 others - that's 566 points. Certainly, #s 5, 9, 19, 22, 23, and 31 are worthy of immortality, but I feel there is no justification for Lafontaine's 16 to be omitted. Is Mike York, a guy who shows up to play every third game, deserving of this sweater? I think not.
4. I see the New York Metropolitans have taken a 5-2, so I am back to Fox. I close by noting that Gartner's and LaFontaine's snubs come from two, once glorious organizations that have become the NHL's biggest jokes. Halpern and York - it doesn't get any better than that!!!
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15 years ago
6 comments:
It would be interesting to look around the league...I bet there players in other NHL cities in the same position...
as a habs guy. i would have to agree with the statement that, if the habs retired every worthy former hab, there certainly wouldn't be any numbers available from 30 down...that said, i think roy's 33, and larry robinson's 19, should be hung up.
i also have to agree that mike gartner, and patty lafontaine certainly deserve ot have their numbers retired...shoot there is a case for patty's to be retired in buffalo as well.
1) We believe that Lafontaine's number WILL be retired in Buffalo this year. As for the Isles, we doubt it will happen now that he left the organization after the Neil Smith firing.
2) We are very surprised that #19 isn't retired in Montreal! Roy we can understand a bit, as he didn't leave under the best of circumstances.
3) We agree with Antz about the Caps over sight! Gartner, though never a winner, did produce numbers that should earn the honor of his #11 being retired. Its over due.
Just a little snipe at Antz, but when were the Capitals a "glorious organization"? ; )
Touche' FAUX, but I believe the Capitals led the conference in points one year - get the "sources" to check on that one. Also, stop winking at me. LOL
".....and stop calling me Shirley"
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