Is Ozzie a HOFer?

[HenryMalredo 2]

How bout when he signed with the Isles and turned their team around into a playoff team?

Hmm, I did not realize that Ozzie did that singlehandidly.

[Grind_Lines_#1_Fan 0]

I don't think there is a good reason to question whether Brodeur is going to the Hall, and if there is I would like to hear the reason. I agree with the posters that don't get that HOF feeling when it comes to Ozzie. The reason I posted this, was becuase Ken and Mick were talking about Ozzie's stats during the game last night, and I definetly thought it was a topic worth a debate, and hadn't seen anything on here. I believe he is 15th all time in wins, and I think everyone ahead of him is either in or not eligible yet, so he should get in.

[OsGOD 3]

Hmm, I did not realize that Ozzie did that singlehandidly.

Tieing Mr. Smith in season wins didn't hurt his cause all too much

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Really? So in 1996 when he was up for the vezina, and 97 when he had an excellent season, or 98 when he won the Cup..he wasn't considered top 5 in the league? How bout when he signed with the Isles and turned their team around into a playoff team? It's fine if you think he won't make the HOF, but to say that he was never considered top 5, is just pushing it a little too far. And btw, stats do mean something. They are taken for a reason.

Roy, Hasek, Brodeur, Richter, and Belfour were all at least better than him. There's probably more, but I just wanted to show you that top 5 that you consider him to have been a part of. And if turning the Isles into a playoff team warrants some HOF consideration, then there's plenty of goalies we should be sending to the HOF. My point was that he is only a HOF candidate here on LGW, and not anywhere else, in other words, you guys are too biased to think like most people on this particular topic.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Roy, Hasek, Brodeur, Richter, and Belfour were all at least better than him. There's probably more, but I just wanted to show you that top 5 that you consider him to have been a part of. And if turning the Isles into a playoff team warrants some HOF consideration, then there's plenty of goalies we should be sending to the HOF. My point was that he is only a HOF candidate here on LGW, and not anywhere else, in other words, you guys are too biased to think like most people on this particular topic.

I didn't say that turning the Isles team around is a reason he should be in the HOF. I wasn't even talking about him going or not going into the hof. I was talking about him being top 5 in the league at some point in his career, and I still stand by what I said.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Hmm, I did not realize that Ozzie did that singlehandidly.

Of course the additions of Peca, and Yashin helped a lot, but Ozzie was the one that made the most difference. He was named their MVP for a reason.

Edited January 11, 2008 by HockeyCrazy3033

[OsGOD 3]

I didn't say he did it by himself. Of course the additions of Peca, and Yashin helped a lot, but Ozzie was the one that made the most difference. He was named their MVP for a reason.

Fixed it for you

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Fixed it for you

Poor Yashin.

[Opie 308]

Roy, Hasek, Brodeur, Richter, and Belfour were all at least better than him. There's probably more, but I just wanted to show you that top 5 that you consider him to have been a part of. And if turning the Isles into a playoff team warrants some HOF consideration, then there's plenty of goalies we should be sending to the HOF. My point was that he is only a HOF candidate here on LGW, and not anywhere else, in other words, you guys are too biased to think like most people on this particular topic.

Actually his stats put him close to the HOF if he can get 400 wins keep his sv% above 900, and lower his GAA those numbers all make this conversation legit.

They are all IF's that is why I said not yet. He is not HOF yet, but if he reaches certain milestones he will be considered a contender for HOF.

But I mean it is not like Cam Neely made the Hall with Supbar numbers. OH nevermind!!!

I also disagree with your Richter comment in 97-98 his record was 21-31 2.66 .908 0 SO. So I would think Ozzie was better that year, but that is just my opinion, but I am just a biased wings fan, I guess.

[detroitdan 0]

I am writing an article on this for Bleacher Report...it will be up in a couple of hours

[eva unit zero 271]

Richter

Just no. Mike Richter was NEVER an elite goaltender. Chris Osgood was one of the best goalies in the league in the mid 90s and should have won the 1996 Vezina trophy. Richter was a good goalie at his best. Ozzie was a great goalie in his prime, and is the league's best netminder this season; a position Richter NEVER held.

[up2here 41]

No Vezina trophys plus has spent a lot of his career sharing time with another goalie. I love Ozzie but I just cant see it. The only way for me is if he wins another cup or 2 as a starter and gets to 400 wins.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Just no. Mike Richter was NEVER an elite goaltender. Chris Osgood was one of the best goalies in the league in the mid 90s and should have won the 1996 Vezina trophy. Richter was a good goalie at his best. Ozzie was a great goalie in his prime, and is the league's best netminder this season; a position Richter NEVER held.

Ozzy's not even close to being the best goalie in the league right now. As for Richter, he won the Cup in 94 and the Canada Cup in 96. He was a better goalie than Ozzy, and although Richter wasn't truly "elite", neither was Ozzy. Once again, you're looking too much at stats, and not enough at the obvious.

[Bannedforlife 403]

They don't call it the "Hockey Hall Of Pretty Good" for nothing...

[betterREDthandead 58]

No Vezina trophys plus has spent a lot of his career sharing time with another goalie.

And is still top 15 all time in wins and will approach, if not pass, 400.

I don't think splitting time should cost him - look who he's split with. Mike Vernon and Dominik Hasek - not shabby goalies. The only exception is Legace, and it's pretty obvious now that sitting Ozzie and starting Legace during that Edmonton series was a colossal mistake.

[puckloo39 5,686]

They don't call it the "Hockey Hall Of Pretty Good" for nothing...

HHOPG.

[Yemack 1]

my honest opinion is that unless he wins another 2 championships at least he won't even be mentioned among HHOF voters.

So... I hope he gets in when he is done.

[elriqo28 2]

he is the second winningest goalie in Red Wings history behind Sawchuk. If he can put up 70 wins or more in the next 3 and a half years I don't see him not making it. Thats only an average of 20 wins the next 3 seasons and assuming he can win 10 more this year.

[J-Swift 0]

That's why I think he won't make it in.

Not to say it's fair. Based on his career and numbers, he's a legit candidate. But he's never been considered elite and never gotten much respect. His success is attributed to playing for Detroit most of his career.

I don't see that changing.

Totally agree. Somebody started a poll a little while back over at the HF boards asking whether Ozzie should be in the HOF and most people thought the notion of him being inducted was absolutely ridiculous. Making it into the Hall has as much to do with reputation as it does with actual stats, and Ozzie simply does not get the league-wide respect he deserves given the numbers he's posted.

If it were up to me, Ozzie would be an HOFer, but I honestly don't believe he'll make it.

I have to laugh at the people that voted "NOT YET" lmao... ummm what? is like the remaining 3 years going to make a difference, going to sway your opinion of him??? Just suck it up and face the fact you are a no vote.

You don't think Ozzie possibly leading Detroit to another Stanley Cup (or at least another deep playoff run) would change some people's opinions? Not to mention he has the chance to really pad his regular season stats on a talented Detroit team if he's our starter for the next couple seasons.

[rougerman 0]

I have a hunch that Ozzie doesn't get the credit he deserves because he insists on wearing the old school helmet.(good for him) Other than that, I see no reason why people would say he shouldn't be a HOF-er.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Osgood will be a hall of famer. Especially if when we win the Cup this year.

Personally, I would say he's in right now. But after another Stanley Cup, he will surely be in the hall.

[Doggy 130]

Posting an opinion in this thread is pointless. Osgood has too many one-eyed fans. Logic and rationale doesn't work with you guys.

Why would someone get hot at another person who thinks "not yet"? It's a perfectly reasonable viewpoint to have.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

I voted yes . Ozzie is a great goaltender who is greatly under valued because he isn't a flash show off . he get the job done and that's all that matters . has great career stats , great everything. when his career is finished for me he'll be going to the hall of fame.

[eva unit zero 271]

Ozzy's not even close to being the best goalie in the league right now. As for Richter, he won the Cup in 94 and the Canada Cup in 96. He was a better goalie than Ozzy, and although Richter wasn't truly "elite", neither was Ozzy. Once again, you're looking too much at stats, and not enough at the obvious.

'The obvious' being that Richter happened to be in net for the Rangers in 94, and for the US in 96? So Richter having been a goalie that played well for a very good team is a positive, when for Osgood it's a negative?

Osgood has been a more consistently good netminder over his career than Richter was. Case in point: the 1994-95 season. That Rangers team was the best defensive team Richter ever played for, yet he posted some of his worst stats that year. This is even more jarring when you consider that 93-94, 95-96, and 96-97 were statistically Richter's best seasons.

People often bring up the 94 Cup run, and the 96 World Cup as evidence that Richter is some sort of great playoff netminder. He's not; he's the American Bill Ranford. Osgood was consistently a better playoff goaltender than Richter, but doesn't get credit for it because of where he plays. Think about it; Osgood is often slammed by Wings fans for not winning in the 2000 playoffs. Osgood posted a .924 save percentage and a 1.97 GAA that postseason; better single season playoff stats than Richter ever put up. Ozzie's career playoff numbers are better too.

The fact that Ozzie played for Detroit has hurt his reputation unfairly; Osgood posted great numbers playing almost exclusively on good teams. The same formula has made Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur 'the greatest goalie ever' as their careers wind down. Those two are not bumped from discussion for having great teams. Honestly, I think Osgood's lack of respect has more to do with the fact he shared the net than the fact he played for great teams. It gives people the idea that 'anyone could have done it' because other top goalies often carried more of the workload. Never mind that Osgood has posted remarkable wins totals even for a guy playing 65 games a season. Osgood has averaged 27 wins in 47 decisions in the 12.57 seasons he's been in the NHL. By comparison, Ed Belfour, considered a 'lock' for the HHOF, won on average 29 of his 56 decisions. And that's really what hockey is about; winning. Osgood has won more consistently than just about any of his peers, and this has NOT been limited to his time in Detroit. He should be in the Hall.

[Reds4Life 51]

Not yet imho.