Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
I don't know if is should be a major part of the criteria for deciding, but I think it is somewhat relevant that Fleury and Gaudreau are probably the only 2 Flames drafted players who also became faces of the franchise. Both players eventually left town, but I think they are primarily remembered as Flames. I get why Fleury's image is soiled now, but at the time when he was in his peak, it was Fleury and the Flames and he was an individual player that people paid to watch and sometimes the only one really.
You could argue that Niewendyk, MacInnis, Roberts, and Vernon belong in that category too, but I think all three players are remember as much or more as being faces of other franchises.
Again, I don't know if that should push them ahead of others, but I think sometimes the importance to a franchise is greater than just the stats and awards.
|
I think that's a fair point. There have been four players that were faces of the franchise (Lanny, Fleury, Iginla, Gaudreau). Most of that is their broader appeal beyond hockey fans, especially kids. That counts for something.