Hockey Hall of Fame's future looks good with committee changes

The respected John Davidson will have plenty to say about future Hall of Fame inductees. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) By Allan Muir There will be a changing

The respected John Davidson will have plenty to say about future Hall of Fame inductees. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

There will be a changing of the old guard at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It was announced today that Blue Jackets president John Davidson will succeed Jim Gregory as the chairman of the Hall's selection committee.

Gregory and Serge Savard, whose terms had ended, and former committee member Pat Quinn will be replaced by Bobby Clarke, David Poile and Luc Robitaille.

Davidson, one of the most respected voices in the game, appears to be a smart choice for the chairmanship. He's an enthusiastic and open-minded manager with Columbus, and has the personality to carry the Hall in a new direction.

You can expect to hear grumblings of dissent over Clarke's appointment -- he's regarded as something less than open-minded -- but Poile and Robitaille are exactly the kind of fresh blood the committee needs.