Hockey Hall of Fame Standards?

Question

This is an opinion question, against the best answer will go to the person providing the best reasoning for your answer. There are no correct answers...although 'puck bunny' responses are incorrect answers.

During the last several years (and by several this argiment goes back to the 80s) there have been several NHL people who feel that the Hockey Hall of Fame is too easy to get into.

Baseball has flirted with 500 homers, 300 wins, 3000Ks etc as 'automatic' qualifications. Football has flirted with sack, TD, and Passing Yard numbers.

If you were to create criteria for entering the Hockey Hall of Fame, what would they be and how would you apply them?

Again, how would you apply them?

Answer 1

I don't think numbers should be the defining criteria. I believe it has more to do with a player's contribution to the game in a positive light that had maximum effect. If a guy made the fans stand and cheer for 10 years only to suffer a career ending injury he may be one to be considered IF he did something that added fame to the game. It is under this criteria I feel Paul Henderson's contribution during the 1972 Summit Series needs to be fully recognized with an induction into the HHOF. His goal in game 8 is one of hockey's most famous moments. His type of contribution to the game (not the NHL) is massive when looked at in this light and so we need to think outside the NHL box to remember it's the Hockey Hall of Fame, not the NHL hall of fame.

Answer 2

PUCK BUNNY!!! Sorry, couldn't resist...lol

Personally, I don't think there should be a criteria, per se. I've always felt that HHOFers had the most impact on their teams, regardless of stats. Take Messier, for example. He told the world that the Rangers would take game six (or was it seven?) and they did. It was a brilliant tactic that showed leadership.

With baseball, it's a little different. Baseball's more of a numbers game; odds and probabilities. With hockey, there are so many unknown variants that it's hard to say who is the better player. If Sean Avery helps the Rangers win multiple Cups and create a dynasty through his antics only, then I think he should be in the Hall for his contributions. What he did to Kovolchuk was HUGE last playoffs. I don't think he could've helped the Rangers sweep the Thrashers by himself, but he definitely played a huge role in that.

Answer 3

6 Players? Well honestly I know I'll get thumbs down for this but I don't understand why Women Hockey Players just do not have their own HHOF. It Bothered me that the 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees included 2 Women. Sure they were great and all, but out of all the NHL Players there have ever been, or been waiting to get Inducted...they decided to choose 2 Women Hockey Players before all of those guys. I'm all for Equality, but I think Granato and James could have potentially taken 2 Great NHL/KHL Players spots. So I think they should make some rule changes in that area. Looking at the list of members, I don't know who else I would take out, I either havent seen them play, or don't know who they are, or I think they deserve their spot. BQ* Of the Eligible, Pavel Bure.

Answer 4

The problem with numbers is like in baseball you can have a guy Like Don Mattingly. He played his entire career for the Yankees during the second longest playoff drought in Yankee history. Even playing on a team that was in most years a bottom team he put up better than average numbers. He never asked or demanded a trade but on almost any other teams he would have had better numbers and maybe won a World Series Championship.

The problem with any type of voting system it becomes a popularity contest and less about the player's individual accomplishments.

In my opinion there needs to be a middle ground. Numbers are important but they aren't everything. When you have a guy that is a team leader on and off the ice, puts up the better than average numbers, plays offense and defensive in his position need a second look by the HHOF Committee.

Answer 5

This is tough. I think a combo of pts, leadership, sportsmanship on and off the ice, # of SC won, games played, and overall contribution to the NHl should be applied. I haven't figured out the 'how' part.

ie..pts alone would get ppl like Fedorov and The Great One in

ie..Stevie Y, even if he didn't have the pts he'd would get my vote for his game. He played it so well and w/such heart..he made everyone around him a better player...omg a Ducks fan is getting gushy over a Red Wing!

Answer 6

1100 Point forwards
500 goals
300 wins
250 +-
700 pts defense.
1200 games played.

Any one or perhaps 2 of those would get you in.

I don't think it's a good idea though. Some players may have huge impact in only a few years before they retire due to injury. Or perhaps a great player has played on a crappy team for their entire career. I think meeting any one of those criteria would get you automatically nominated, but others can be nominated as well and a panel will still choose by ballot which 4 get in.

Answer 7

first of all, i get ever so slightly agitated when ppl start comparing hockey to other sports, but not agitated enough for me to stop answer your very good question

''Stat-wise" If for some reason i ran the HHOF, id make the criteria for inducties somewhere in the vicinity of a 1.5 points per game average with over 600 games played....as for goalies, i would make it at least 3 30 win seasons and for defence, i would induct them if they fit the ''1.5 ppg'' rule and/or if they have a +/- rating of 300

but personally, id rather the NHL not be so picky on stats, its not even about stats, its about leadership and giving 100% everynight whether you are in the playoff hunt or out of contension

Answer 8

1000 points
500 goals
800 assists
300 goalie wins
75 shout outs
200 plus/minus
1400 games played

Answer 9

1000 points any player
400 goals forward
300 wins goalie
700 points defenseman
300 plus minus any player
1000 games played
60 shutouts goalie

If a player has one of those they should make the hockey hall of fame

Answer 10

a lot of hard work and skill sometimes works