Will Tom Barrasso ever get into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Question

You could argue his numbers weren't Brodeur- or Roy-like, but that is not reflective of what he was able to accomplish on the ice:

Won the Vezina and Calder trophies his rookie year, at age 19
Won the Jennings Trophy
Winningest US-born NHL goaltender
Olympic medalist
2 Stanley Cups

I believe he deserves the nod, he was passed over last year and this year (albeit this year's class was one of the toughest to beat). He knew how to win.

sgold, good point about the media. I'm also biased as a fellow Pens fan, but you're right, he could be incredibly hostile at times, especially to his backups.

And wow, I did not realize that a "mediocre" goaltender was worthy of all the aforementioned accolades.

Answer 1

I vote yes, eventually

Answer 2

Tom Barrasso Hall Of Fame

Answer 3

Unless he's done something in the builder's category that no one knows about, then no, I don't think he will. The Vezina and Calder won't count because he hasn't kept up the reputation; the Jennings is more of a team trophy accepted by the goalie; there really isn't too many US-born goalies in the NHL, and with his time spent, it only makes sense to be the one with the most wins; I can't remember him winning a medal, unless he was the back up at Salt Lake, and I'm also pretty sure he backed up in at least one of his Cup wins.

Those aren't very good stats for being in the Hall, at least not in the near future. I mean, they Tretiak (sp?) was just accepted into the Hall a year or two ago.

Answer 4

He's borderline. Was he a good goalie? Yes. Was he a great goalie? I would say no. He played a long time, so that might help him. You are right he's no Roy or Brodeur. He's more like a Mike Vernon, Olaf Kolzig, Patrick Lalime. I'm not sure in the NHL how many years a player can stay on the ballot, but I think he might have a chance in an edxceptionally weak year.

Answer 5

He probably is on the border. He wasn't an all-league goalie very often, and you never thought of him as great most of the time. He did play for a while, and has the facts you mentioned.

Will personality come into play? Well, it's a committee that picks HoF members and not just media members so that will help him.

I think he gets in eventually, but it's going to be close. I think of players like Pierre Turgeon and Glenn Anderson in the same class -- good for quite a while, but not great.

Answer 6

It may take a while to get in. I do think that he deserves to be in though. Although face it I am biased because I am a Pens fan. Two things hurt him though. One was that he was kinda injury prone and therefore doesn't have the large number of games(which would have given him more wins). The BIGGER issue though was his media boycott. I think that may be the thing that is really going to hurt him. It may not be fair but that is how it goes.

Answer 7

NO! The hall of fame accepts way to many mediocre players already. Its time to clean out the crap and make way for the true difference makers of the sport.

Answer 8

although barasso was a good goaltender in his prime he was not consistent. he may get the nod during a weak class however but not for a few more years.

Answer 9

There's a huge backlog and growing because they only induct 4 players per year. I have no doubt he'll get a spot one day.

Answer 10

I agree with Etto....

Barrasso was a great allstar goaltender but not a HOF goaltender...

Answer 11

He was great. He should get in but it looks like it will take a long time to do unfortunately.