[News] Hakan Loob to step down as GM of Farjestad and retire from the game

[madmike]

I still think the Flames would have one or two more Cups if Loob had stayed. He left the NHL in the prime of his career, which you don't really see much.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Makarov is one of the greatest to ever play the game. I have never heard that said about Loob.

You probably would if you lived in Sweden.
I was a Makarov fan, too but he was certainly not one of the greatest to play in the NHL, and his NHL stats don't compare favourably to Loob's. Makarov played in the NHL when it was further weakened by expansion, and his international achievements (which I agree were HHOF calibre) have to be put in the context of having the benefit of playing most of his career on an all-star team, which is essentially what Red Army was.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

You probably would if you lived in Sweden.
I was a Makarov fan, too but he was certainly not one of the greatest to play in the NHL, and his NHL stats don't compare favourably to Loob's. Makarov played in the NHL when it was further weakened by expansion, and his international achievements (which I agree were HHOF calibre) have to be put in the context of having the benefit of playing most of his career on an all-star team, which is essentially what Red Army was.

Makarov's NHL numbers are less than Loob's because Makarov arrived at age 31. He was arguably the best player on the best line in the world. He was a huge reason why it was an All-Star team. If Makarov had played NHL hockey from age 20 to retirement at 35 or so, he'd have HOF numbers based on his NHL career alone, I'm confident.

Regarding expansion, the NHL teams were the same in each of their biggest years.

[Robbob]

Just some tidbits from his SHL career:

Sits 7th all-time, 81 points behind the leader, while playing 368 games less than the leader
Still has the highest points per game average over his career (1.24)

2nd all-time in playoff scoring (43) 6 goals behind the leader having played 107 less games then leader. (.77 goals per game).

Has Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, and Word Championship Gold. Zeterberg, Lidstrom, Forsberg and Modin as far as I can tell the only other players to have done that. The one thing Loob adds to this is he also has a Swedish championship. As far as I can tell he is only Swede that can say he has won at all 4 levels.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

You probably would if you lived in Sweden.
I was a Makarov fan, too but he was certainly not one of the greatest to play in the NHL, and his NHL stats don't compare favourably to Loob's. Makarov played in the NHL when it was further weakened by expansion, and his international achievements (which I agree were HHOF calibre) have to be put in the context of having the benefit of playing most of his career on an all-star team, which is essentially what Red Army was.

It is precisely because he was arguably the best player on an All Star team that Makarov is in the HHOF.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

It is precisely because he was arguably the best player on an All Star team that Makarov is in the HHOF.

But Red Army was essentially a Soviet all-star team, unlike any of the teams the players in other European countries played on. Makarov's stats undoubtedly benefited from that team's total domination of the league that they played in. I'm not saying Makarov shouldn't be in the HHOF; it's just that he's a bad measuring stick for deciding whether Loob deserves HHOF honours.

As others have pointed out Loob has the credentials to be considered one of the best players to ever play for Sweden on the international level, and one of the best to come out of Sweden to play in the NHL.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

But Red Army was essentially a Soviet all-star team, unlike any of the teams the players in other European countries played on. Makarov's stats undoubtedly benefited from that team's total domination of the league that they played in. I'm not saying Makarov shouldn't be in the HHOF; it's just that he's a bad measuring stick for deciding whether Loob deserves HHOF honours.

As others have pointed out Loob has the credentials to be considered one of the best players to ever play for Sweden on the international level, and one of the best to come out of Sweden to play in the NHL.

Forget stats for a second. Makarov was one of the best players in the world IMO. He played on a great team, and was maybe their best player.

Was Loob one of the best players in the world at any point? He was very good in the NHL, but not that at that level IMO. Could you say that about his play in Sweden? It does seem like he had great stats in Sweden but does it merit HHOF?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

They have started to change that though. Makarov wasn't elected on his NHL achievements. I would argue that Loob's NHL accomplishments, coupled with what he means to Swedish hockey - merits HHOF election.

I would agree, but even Makarov is something of a 'token' pick. IMO, he mostly got in last year because it was a weak class and he has some decent NHL history even if most of his career was in the Soviet Union. Loob could probably fit the same mold - if the NHL finds itself without four strong player contenders, it could turn to international again. But players with predominantly NHL resumes will always come first.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Just some tidbits from his SHL career:

Sits 7th all-time, 81 points behind the leader, while playing 368 games less than the leader
Still has the highest points per game average over his career (1.24)

2nd all-time in playoff scoring (43) 6 goals behind the leader having played 107 less games then leader. (.77 goals per game).

Has Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, and Word Championship Gold. Zeterberg, Lidstrom, Forsberg and Modin as far as I can tell the only other players to have done that. The one thing Loob adds to this is he also has a Swedish championship. As far as I can tell he is only Swede that can say he has won at all 4 levels.

There are actually 27 players and one coach in the Triple Gold Club.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I would agree, but even Makarov is something of a 'token' pick. IMO, he mostly got in last year because it was a weak class and he has some decent NHL history even if most of his career was in the Soviet Union. Loob could probably fit the same mold - if the NHL finds itself without four strong player contenders, it could turn to international again. But players with predominantly NHL resumes will always come first.

Makarov played his most productive years in the USSR, where Loob played his most productive years in the NHL. Players generally begin to decline in their 30s which is when Makarov came over. Plus the Soviets were known for burning out their players with intensive exercise regimens in which it was a 365 day a year job. There was a documentary on Netflix about Soviet hockey and the lengths that they went through to win were incredible.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There are actually 27 players and one coach in the Triple Gold Club.

Interesting. I was just counting the Swedes. Looking at that list it goes down to only 4 Swedes to be in the Triple gold and have a SHL championship. (Loob, Tomas Jonsson, Mats Naslund,and Niklas Kronwall)

[sureLoss]

err derp

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Interesting. I was just counting the Swedes. Looking at that list it goes down to only 4 Swedes to be in the Triple gold and have a SHL championship. (Loob, Tomas Jonsson, Mats Naslund,and Niklas Kronwall)

Truthfully, those are all nice accomplishments, but a whole lot of who cares when it comes to Hall of Fame accomplishments, especially winning the Swedish Elite League title.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

err derp

Oh man I so want to know what this was.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Hakan Loob was good at hockey.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Hakan Loob was a joy to watch on and off the ice. I think a case can be made for the builders category or as REs says if it's another down year and there's room for a feel good pick like Makarov. Makarov didn't have the stats nor body of work on NHL ice to justify it, but look at that now. Thus I agree with the comparison of standard for Hakan and Sergei. Plus Loob has a better resume imo, the stanley cup is the crown jewel in this discussion.

Loob's accolades were impressive. Who's to say he wouldn't have padded his stats further if he'd stayed. Imagine if he'd joined detroit in the 90's?