Inspired by GRIGNAXX... With point production down, does this ERA of young Players have a disadvantage?

Question

What I am asking is.....Will the 1.4 Points a game or the 1.1 Points a game still be the benchmark to get into the Hall Of Fame? Points are down.... and guys that are in their 4th to 7th year wont look as good statistically than the guys who are about to retire? Does this make a difference? Will the standard have to change to get into the HALL because goals are way down to like when Selanne first entered the NHL? I think you can follow my line of thinking here? Share your opinion....

Answer 1

I think that it's good that it's a judgment call. The hall does not have automatic inductions, and I'm sure the guys who vote on it take era into account if there's ever any question.

Oh, and at first I thought you were inspired by a baseball question in here and were asking a question about Earned Run Average....

Answer 2

The only criteria for induction is whether or not a player has distinguished himself in his career.  Always has been, always will be.  Take a look at some of the early inductees, not too many of them have what anyone would call eye-popping statistics.  It was their overall contribution to the game that got them inducted.  You've also got to take into account that the game has evolved quite a bit since the Hall was created.  Numbers have never been a guarantee and never will be.  Dino Ciccarelli has been eligible for a while now but has yet to be inducted--and he scored over 600 goals.  Dale Hunter is another good example; he scored over 1,000 points in his career, but is he a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer?

Answer 3

I feel that is has already somewhat.  With players like Cam Neely and Clark Gilles recently being inducted you have to realizes that points are NOT to only benchmark.  (Disclaimer:  They were great players with great careers, but only had a handful of magnificent years).  Yes, I think if points are down later in a player's career, he still has a chance to be inducted.

I think that Tom has touched on the popularity contest that must have some factor in being in the HHOF.  I really think points are just a small fraction of the total equation.  I am sure that being a known gentleman, longevity, personality, popularity, stats, and awards contribute to the selection.  In all, I don't think things have or will change much.

Answer 4

1. As sports become more PC, it could be possible that the NHL will start selecting more people into the HHOF based more on who they are rather than the numbers they put up.

Over the years it's been, First Russians this, First European that, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against diversity I just wish sports would focus less about what the race, etc of a player is and and focus more on the players accomplishments.

The bar could be lowered to the point where players get into the HHOF even when they never could accomplish a small % of what the greats did. After all, kids in some little league teams get trophy's regardless if how the team faired in the season. Could that PC trend of getting rid of competition reach the big leagues?

2. We may just see a rise in Goalies get into the HHOF unless the NHL finds a way to increase the points per game without playing around too much with what a goalie can cannot do.

3. Wasn't the new set of rules for the NHL made to increase scoring? Or did the Goalies find ways around the rules to make the game more in their favor?

Just some food for thought!!!

Answer 5

I think they base it on the career as a whole not just minor details. I had been asking questions for a few weeks about players that are not in the Hall yet and some should be. It will get harder to judge the borderline players in the future. But the superstars will always stand out and will get their shot at the Hall in due time . I am sure any consideration will be judged on the era in which they played and whom they played against

Answer 6

Selection to the HHOF is usually based on a players relative relationship to his peers. It is not like baseball where certain milestones are often considered as sure bets to the hall.

The selection committee takes its job serious and players are selected based on their results during their careers. Once upon a time 250 goals lifetime was a sure thing. Today 500 might not be enough.

Answer 7

I think you're right, point production will never reach the level of Gretzky or Lemieux again, but it's more because of the goaltenders being better, and "the trap", than the rules change.

Points production will be down, but it doesn't take away from the outstanding athleticism of the players, and that's what the Hall is really meant to honor after all.

And thanks for the nod!