Hockey News columnist Mike Brophy says that Tom Barrasso's personality kept him from getting a deserved call to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday:
It’s time to forgive Tom Barrasso for being Tom Barrasso and acknowledge his greatness. One hundred years from now no one will remember how he treated people and no one will question his inclusion in the Hall.
Barrasso's run-ins with teammates and the media became the stuff of legend during his stops in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Ottawa, although he had mellowed considerably by the time he arrived in Carolina in 2001 and has been open, friendly and accessible during his time as the Hurricanes' goalie coach.
But with a long list of Hall of Fame candidates coming onto the ballot next summer, a group that includes Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull, this may have been Barrasso' best chance to get in.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
And guys like Damphousse and
Thu, 06/19/2008 - 13:06 — atrioneAnd guys like Damphousse and Oates didn't get in either. Both were also pushed out by the Class of 2007, like Larionov, but I would have thought with no new names this year, that one or both would get in.