vladimir konstantinov number retirement?

**Lowell** · November-19-10, 07:33 AM

Had he not been the victim of a drunk driver, I believe he was on a path to the HOF. ["Konstantinov was more than a pest, as some had taken to calling him; he was a skilled player. He earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995–96, with a plus/minus difference of plus-60. The +60 has been the highest rating a player has finished with in the past 20 seasons, since Wayne Gretzky finished with a +70 in the 1986–87 NHL season. In 1996–97, his final season, Konstantinov was runner-up [[to Brian Leetch) for the Norris Trophy, given to the league's best defenseman." from his wiki]

I always thought the HOF should take into consideration the commie era Soviet careers of players like him who had couldn't play in the NHL until the change. It is almost like the redress baseball made with the denied Negro League stars. The great goalie Vladislav Tretiak should be at the top of that list.

Vlad is only 43 now and with his toughness would probably be winding up an HOF career.

**Downriviera** · November-19-10, 10:20 AM

If he's on the ice in the 09 playoffs, the Penguins don't beat us in the final.

**Wingnatic** · November-19-10, 10:55 AM

I think we could make an exception and hang his #16 from the rafters if we have no plans to ever use his number again . The Vladinator was old school , a warrior in every meaning of the word and had absolutely no regard for his own body to give us a chance to win , the ultimate teammate . Has there really been anyone like him since ? A tribute to #16 , I still get choked up when watching this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEeP4J3toc

**Downriviera** · November-19-10, 04:30 PM

While known for his toughness and defensive skills, what amazed me was his ability to score. He was money on a breakaway, making goalies look stupid. Too bad he missed out on the shootouts.

**mikeg19** · November-19-10, 05:46 PM

I agree with some of the comments on here about if he was still playing or never had gotten hurt, he may have been one of the best to play the game and certainly could have had a HOF career. But if Vlady had his number retired, than why not Igor Larionov, Red Kelly, Larry Murphy, etc. The list could go on forever on amazing players who played here. IMO, the retired jersey are for the most incredible players to ever play the game. Not to say Vlady wouldn't have been one if his career was cut short, but that was not the case.

**jerrytimes** · November-20-10, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Downriviera

If he's on the ice in the 09 playoffs, the Penguins don't beat us in the final.

How do you figure?

**Downriviera** · November-20-10, 07:21 AM

I figure with Vlady on the ice the Pens score less and we score more.

**jerrytimes** · November-21-10, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Downriviera

I figure with Vlady on the ice the Pens score less and we score more.

Well, we had Stuart, Lidstrom, Kronwall, Ericsson, Rafalski. Don't know if you can do better than that. Plus he would have been 41 or 42 at the time....so I'm sure he wouldn't be quit as effective as what we had out there.