In Defense Of Killer

There is a modern generation of Toronto fans who probably think Doug Gilmour is the greatest player to ever wear the blue and white jersey of the Toronto Maple Leafs. While his tenure in comparison to other Leafs greats was relatively short, those fans might just be right.

Gilmour was a spectacular player. He played with a contagious enthusiasm and passion that so few players can match. He is one of the most intelligent superstars in league history. Although never a top goal scorer he was as good a playmaker in his era other than Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Yet unlike those two the brilliance of Gilmour’s game was his status as a defensive player with few peers. He also was a great leader, always leading by example. Though he was tiny by NHL standards, he played with a level of fearlessness that instantly won over the hearts of NHL fans everywhere.

So it surprised me when I got a fair bit of backlash email sent my way when I suggest Gilmour would be a likely candidate for Hall of Fame induction. With HHOF decisions and announcements coming this Tuesday, I thought I better put forward a better case for the man nicknamed "Killer."

See Doug Gilmour biography