Grant Fuhr is in the HHoF, right?

Why not Ozzie?

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 11/02/07 at 04:09 PM ET

I’ve never considered this possibility but the numbers are certainly there. Getting to 400 wins though would get him over the hurdle and dispel the “good team rider” label; I mean, you do have to *do something* to last as a goaltender in this town.

I personally hope he retires a Wing and becomes a goaltending coach or something.

Posted by srt on 11/02/07 at 04:56 PM ET

Who voted Dive??? I’ll be it was you Chief… your democratic impulses are getting the better of you these days.. 

Posted by srt on 11/02/07 at 04:58 PM ET

SRT, not on my worst day playing the sickest joke pretending to have even less hockey knowledge than I do..would I ever portray myself in that pathetic fashion.

Democracy has its limits...that’s mine.  Good try though..

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 11/02/07 at 05:17 PM ET

Grant Fuhr is in the HHoF, right?

Why not Ozzie?

how many Stanley Cups does Grant Fuhr have?  Osgood?

don’t get me wrong, I like Osgood and think he will be in the HOF some day.  If his career ended today I don’t think he would nor should make it in.  He’s close, but not quite there yet.

Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 11/02/07 at 05:32 PM ET

Ozzie is…

Well, let’s just say…

Okay, I like the guy.  I like his numbers.  Some can arue he is a team benefactor.  So be it.  He won a cup as a starter and played backup for his first cup ring.  You can’t turn your nose at 343 wins. But as much as I like the guy, I can’t say he should be inducted at status quo.  3 years, 100 wins and 3 more cups… heck yeah!

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 11/02/07 at 05:33 PM ET

Right now?  No way.  Ozzie hasn’t had those individually stellar seasons some other guys have had, so he needs to accumulate a resume.  If he gets to 390-400 wins though it’s hard to concoct a rationale to keep him out that wouldn’t include Fuhr, Vernon, Cujo, and Barrasso too.

Yes, I know not all of those guys are in the HOF now.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 11/02/07 at 08:07 PM ET

You could put the same “team benefit” tag on Fuhr also. I mean come on, look at the offense that those Oilers teams had. They could have put in a sieve like Cheveldae in net and still won four cups. Still, a HOF for Ozzie is a tough call. Although he has never been considered as an elite goalie, Ozzie was a major contributor to the success the Wings had in the 90s. Yet, Ciccarelli isn’t in yet with over 600 goals so its possible that Ozzie may not get in with 400 wins. My opinion, he needs 400 wins and probably needs to become a major contributor to another cup before he gets in. Even then, it may take awhile.

Posted by UMFan on 11/02/07 at 11:01 PM ET

Ozzie’s only 34.  He’s about to have a rennaisan...reinascan… a rebirth and keep Jimmy Howard on the bench for the next 3 years at least.  400 wins, no problem.  HoF, you betcha.

I remember seeing a book a few years ago, something like The Top 50 Goalies of All-Time.  He was listed at #50 even back then (which struck me as odd).

Posted by 58Miles2Joe from somewhere other than Toledo, OH on 11/03/07 at 01:07 AM ET

Fuhr made saves when it mattered. And I say that with no disrespect to Osgood.

I already posted my view on the other KK post, but here’s my thinking in full.

Right now, Osgood has the statistical numbers to be ranked up against other HOF goalies. If you scratch the names off and stack the numbers up, Osgood is a HOFer. However, as we all know, Osgood was the benefactor of great teams—good teams were not the benefactor of his great goaltending. So, with the numbers he has now, combined with the eyeball test, Osgood doesn’t quite make the HOF, in my book.

However, there are scenarios that could get him in. I voted for the “400 wins and he’s in” option for the reason that if Ozzie makes it to 400 wins, it likely indicates that he took the starting role back for 2+ seasons. If he starts for this team for 2+ seasons (maybe starting now?), I think it’s safe to assume that it’s because he’s playing well, and will ultimately lead this team to playoff success. In other words, Jimmy Howard’s nightmare.

Posted by Nathan on 11/03/07 at 09:29 AM ET

As has been said, Ozzie may find some room in the Hall depending on what he does in the next few years. Another ring and cracking the 400 win plateau just may do the trick.

He’s certainly proved be belongs between the pipes this year. If he keeps this up, perhaps Hasek’s irritated hip may never heal. Just sayin. He’s been solid, and a bargain at that.

Posted by soft watch from ontario on 11/03/07 at 09:35 AM ET

I’ve been a fan of his since the beginning and was happy to see him come back, but even I say he would need a couple of standout seasons to be HOF worthy...and even then, only if he’s inducted into the “On the Shoulders of Nicklas E. Lidstrom” Wing.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 11/03/07 at 11:53 AM ET

However, there are scenarios that could get him in. I voted for the “400 wins and he’s in” option for the reason that if Ozzie makes it to 400 wins, it likely indicates that he took the starting role back for 2+ seasons.

He’s at 343 now.  17-20 more wins by the end of this year isn’t at all outrageous, which would only leave around 40 wins to 400.  If he and Howard are splitting time next year 20-25 wins isn’t too much, and if he’s a full time backup the year after that 10-15 isn’t much to expect.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 11/03/07 at 02:21 PM ET

Red Wings Hall of Fame?  Certainly.  THE Hall of Fame?  No.  Was he a HOF caliber goalie with the Isles and Blues?  It’s gotta be the jersey…

Posted by Matt from Chicago on 11/04/07 at 12:39 PM ET

His numbers from his Non Detroit years are not to shabby either, he was also playing for horrible teams.  He had a bad year in St. Louis but he was injury ridden. 

Im not arguing that this makes or does not make body54him deserved of the Hall of Fame, but just trying to break the argument about him being a benefactor of great teams. 

That being said, most HOF goalies are benefactors of good if not great teams. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/724/career;_ylt=Aninm8WsQcUKnzME5GcCu7hivLYF

Year Team GP GS MIN W L T OTL EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2001-02 NYI 66 65 3743 32 25 6 0 6 156 2.50 1727 1571 .910 4
2002-03 NYI 37 36 1993 17 14 4 0 4 97 2.92 912 815 .894 2
2002-03 STL 9 9 532 4 3 2 0 1 27 3.05 241 214 .888 2
2003-04 STL 67 65 3861 31 25 8 0 3 144 2.24 1604 1460 .910 3

Posted by wingsnut25 from Sault Ste Marie on 11/05/07 at 10:21 AM ET

Interesting that nearly every entry on a supposed Dead Things fan blog is about the Avalanche.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the overrated Things’ position as a decent team in a crap division is the only explanation for your current place in the standings.  Or maybe that even your precious prima donna Hasek isn’t the ‘tender Roy was, let alone Osgood.

Anyway, Osgood in the Hall?  Are you kidding?  Of all the Wings’ talent and history and tradition, you come up with Osbad for Hall contention?  What a joke.

Posted by um no from Detroit on 11/06/07 at 01:39 PM ET

Yayy...I think Thomas is back, with a pseudonym to boot!

So: 1) The Central is drastically improved as noted by most hockey people and the team records.

2) We haven’t played the central much so far; nope, just went 7-0-0 through the “tough” Northwest and Pacific division.

3) Suggesting Osgood go to the Hall was Larry Wigge’s (sp?)-- from Nhl.com-- idea; we’re simply considering it. If you look the comments, most people express reservation or qualified endorsement, including myself.

As for the Avs, I wish you the best of luck making the playoffs again. Rest assured, however, that we will beat you down in the regular and---if you make it---post seasons.

Thanks for the completely unoriginal and unenlightening post though; you did, however, forget to mention our team’s old age and softness. Do come again when you wish to share more stunning insights or, even better, the detailed study of drafting you promised ages ago.

Posted by srt on 11/06/07 at 05:03 PM ET

Ah yes, always count on srt to toe the official party line ‘round these parts.  No, I’m not an Avs fan - I just see through the silly arguments that you Dead Things fans always throw up.  Arguments that quickly fall apart every post-season collapse.

Rest assured, your boys in red will embarrass themselves again this post-season.

As far as age, well, I figured enough commentary has been made about Grampa Chelios.

“Much improved” division, eh?  A quick trip to ESPN’s web page exposes that lie.  The only team close is Columbus, and it shouldn’t take long for them to slip back into the sub-.500 range.  And the others?  Please.  But you go ahead and keep deluding yourself.

Posted by um no from Detroit on 11/09/07 at 09:38 AM ET

Nearly twenty days later the Central is the only division not marred by a sub-.500 record.

On that note, checking early season stats *is* the best way to judge the mettle of hockey teams. (For which I’d personally suggest tsn.ca or nhl.com, not the “boring sport” focused ESPN.)

Posted by Greg from Boston on 11/28/07 at 11:08 AM ET