Patrick Marleau, who retired after the 2020-2021 season, will be eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame for the first time this year. There's no denying how important Marleau was to the San Jose Sharks, but was he just as important to the NHL?
On Tuesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame will announce its 2024 inductees. Per HHOF rules, only four male players may be inducted into each class. There has been much discussion about which candidates are worthy of induction. To be inducted, a player must receive 14 votes from the 18-member committee. Here is my opinion on whether Marleau deserves to be included among the first class of inductees.
Marleau's major league achievements
Three years ago, Marleau broke the Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe record that had stood since the 1979-1980 season. A six-time winner of the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy, Marleau entered the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946-1947 just after World War II and played his final season with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-1980. He took a nine-year break before playing his final season in the league, returning for one season with his sons Marty and Mark Howe. In that final season, Marleau added 80 more games to his total, bringing his total to 1,767.
Since Howe's record was set, the only time it was seriously threatened was when former Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks player Mark Messier retired 11 games short of the record in 2003-2004. In the 2020-2021 season, the record was finally broken by Marleau, who played 1,779 games for the Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring.
Marleau played more games than Howe, but he never came close to matching the Red Wings great's point total. He finished his career with 1,197 points, while Mr. Hockey had 1,850. Playing the most games in NHL history is an impressive accomplishment, but it's not just the number of games played, it's what you do in those games that counts. Marleau had 0.67 points per game, while Howe had 1.05 ppg. Which is more impressive? Points that win games, or simply playing in games? The Hockey Hall of Fame doesn't (or at least shouldn't) award participation ribbons.
Marleau was also an Ironman, and he never missed a game from age 29 until his retirement. That means he played 910 consecutive games. Phil Kessel holds the longest Ironman record with 1,064 consecutive games, but this may be his last. He sat out last season, but hasn't announced his retirement yet. Again, it's great to have an Ironman record, but it's not how many consecutive games you play that counts, it's what you do in those games that counts.
Malraux ranked 53rd with 1,197 pointsrd The most in NHL history. Is that enough to get you into the HHOF? Maybe one day, but not anytime soon. For example, Dino Ciccarelli was inducted in 2010, eight years after he became eligible, with 1200 points. Meanwhile, Vincent Damhoose, who had 1205 points and won a Stanley Cup, is not inducted yet.
Marlow's achievements with the Sharks
But Marleau deserves a lot of credit for what he did for the Sharks, after all, he broke team records for goals (522), points (1,111), tying goals (342), power-play goals (163), shorthanded goals (17), and the list goes on.
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He is Mister San Jose Sharks and always will be. He will be honored when the team retires his jersey on Feb. 25, 2023. His famous No. 12 will be the first to hang from the ceiling at SAP Center. Former teammate Joe Thornton will be the second Sharks player to be so honored when his No. 19 will be hung from the ceiling alongside Marleau's at a date to be determined next season.
Of course, holding most of a team's records is meaningful, but it doesn't guarantee a place in the HHOF, especially if the records are short. San Jose came into the league in 1991-1992 with players who were transfers from other teams. Look at the Montreal Canadiens and you'll see they weren't tops in any category. Maurice Richard had 544 goals, Guy Lafleur had 1246 points, M. Richard had 397 even strength goals, Jean Beliveau had 173 power play goals, Guy Carbonneau had 28 shortened goals.
International Recognition
While Marleau never won an NHL trophy, he did receive recognition on the international stage, winning two Olympic gold medals, a gold and a silver World Championship medal and winning the World Cup with Canada in 2004. It's an impressive collection, but those medals weren't just due to Marleau being on the team.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Marleau won't make the HHOF. He just won't be a first-ballot inductee. This year, Pavel Datsyuk should be inducted. I know he has fewer points (918), but he played fewer games. He has a 0.96 P/G and has won many awards, including two Stanley Cups, three Frank J. Selke Trophies, and four Lady Byng Trophies. His handling is so impressive that he was nicknamed Magic Man. When he scores a great goal in a shootout, he is often called “Datsyukian,” which means he leaves his mark on the game. Marleau's time will come.
