Chara likely will. I also would make a case for Tim Thomas. It's the Hockey hall of fame, not the nhl hall of fame and his numbers in other leagues are amazing. If he can win the cup, I think he makes the hall.
Thomas needs to keep playing at a high level for another 4-5 years and win another Vezina or two if he's going to have any shot. Right now he has one amazing year and a couple other good ones. That right there isn't anywhere near HOF worthy.
Chara will also need to build upon his career, although not as much as Thomas does. Another Norris plus 3-4 more years as a finalist should be good enough.
To be honest, I'm not so sure anyone on the current roster is what I'd consider hall worthy. Some guys may become that over the course of their careers, but I don't think anyone would be considered that at this point. The closest would be Chara, but when you compare him to other great defensemen who made the HOF, does he stack up? Again, I'm not so sure at this point.
Chara likely will. I also would make a case for Tim Thomas. It's the Hockey hall of fame, not the nhl hall of fame and his numbers in other leagues are amazing. If he can win the cup, I think he makes the hall.
The closest would be Chara, but when you compare him to other great defensemen who made the HOF, does he stack up?
Yes.
Chara already has four all-star selections, (and a Norris).
Every four time all-star defenceman in NHL history is in the Hall.
Recchi shouldn't get in. In 21 seasons he was only named an all-star once. Was top ten in goals only once and a top ten scorer four times. He was/is a compiler.
Chara already has four all-star selections and a Norris. Every four time all-star defenceman in NHL history is in the Hall.
Recchi shouldn't get in. In 21 seasons he was only named an all-star once. Was top ten in goals only once and a top ten scorer four times. He was/is a compiler.
I agree with you, he shouldn't get in.
But as you know, compilers do get in, especially if they are good citizens and are well liked.
Chara already has four all-star selections and a Norris. Every four time all-star defenceman in NHL history is in the Hall.
Recchi shouldn't get in. In 21 seasons he was only named an all-star once. Was top ten in goals only once and a top ten scorer four times. He was/is a compiler.
You may be right about Chara, and my view on him may be skewed. I just don't see him being as dominant as some of the other great HOF defensemen that this team has had, and that may be shading my take. Guys like Bourque and Orr were not only great Bruins, but they were without a doubt the best defensemen in the league during their times, regardless of Norris Trophies. Can you say the same right now about Chara? That's kind of where I get hung up, because there are a few other guys who you could arguably take over Chara right now, and it's not so clear cut. Maybe the competition is better and the talent pool being deeper has impacted it?
You may be right about Chara, and my view on him may be skewed. I just don't see him being as dominant as some of the other great HOF defensemen that this team has had, and that may be shading my take. Guys like Bourque and Orr were not only great Bruins, but they were without a doubt the best defensemen in the league during their times, regardless of Norris Trophies. Can you say the same right now about Chara? That's kind of where I get hung up, because there are a few other guys who you could arguably take over Chara right now, and it's not so clear cut. Maybe the competition is better and the talent pool being deeper has impacted it?
Ray competed against the deepest talent pool on defence in history. Robinson, Potvin, Langway, Coffey, Chelios and Leetch all won Norris' during Ray's time.
Chara has had far less competition, but still, managing four all star selections (so far), and a Norris will be enough.
Obviously comparing Z to Bourque or Orr is ridiculous, he is not even in the same universe....
....but if Ray and Bobby were the standard for being a D-Man in the Hall there would only be two other defencemen in there, Harvey and Shore, (three out of four being Bruins is pretty awesome though huh?)
Ray competed against the deepest talent pool on defence in history. Robinson, Potvin, Langway, Coffey, Chelios and Leetch all won Norris' during Ray's time.
Chara has had far less competition, but still, managing four all star selections (so far), and a Norris will be enough.
Obviously comparing Z to Bourque or Orr is ridiculous, he is not even in the same universe....
....but if Ray and Bobby were the standard for being a D-Man in the Hall there would only be two other defencemen in there, Harvey and Shore, (three out of four being Bruins is pretty awesome though huh?)
There's no doubt he's being penalized by comparrisons to other great Bruins defensemen. It's not fair, but it happens.
Yes, that is tremendous about the Bruins having the majority of what are generally considered the best d-men in the history of the sport! Since that is the case, you can see why it's hard to rate Chara fairly, right?
FWIW, I don't mean the overall number of talented players he compares favorably to in his current generation, I mean the talent pool being larger to draw from, which means the overall level of every player has gone up, if that makes sense...
Chara already has four all-star selections, (and a Norris).
Every four time all-star defenceman in NHL history is in the Hall.
Recchi shouldn't get in. In 21 seasons he was only named an all-star once. Was top ten in goals only once and a top ten scorer four times. He was/is a compiler.
The standards for the HHOF are WAY too lax. But Chara is pretty close. I think that one more Norris or one Stanley Cup would get him in. Or else if he simply plays at a high level for another 3 or 4 years.
He's not the most outstanding player around. But he is good enough to be compared to Jacques Laperriere, Guy Lapointe, and Larry Murphy -- all of them Hall of Famers. Chara has the added benefit of being so recognizable because of his height and size, which means he feels more iconic of this NHL era than others who make a similar contribution to their team.
Recchi is borderline. He could make it a la Gartner or Joe Mullen. My gut tells me he won't get in...but it's close.
Nobody else has done anywhere near enough to qualify yet. I'm feeling optimistic right now. So down the road, I predict that Savard, Krejci, Bergeron, Wheeler, Lucic, Sobotka, Wideman, Hunwick, Thomas and Rask are all going to be inducted some day.
Ray competed against the deepest talent pool on defence in history. Robinson, Potvin, Langway, Coffey, Chelios and Leetch all won Norris' during Ray's time.
Chara has had far less competition, but still, managing four all star selections (so far), and a Norris will be enough.
Obviously comparing Z to Bourque or Orr is ridiculous, he is not even in the same universe....
....but if Ray and Bobby were the standard for being a D-Man in the Hall there would only be two other defencemen in there, Harvey and Shore, (three out of four being Bruins is pretty awesome though huh?)
If Orr was the standard then he's in alone. If Bourque is the standard then you probably have 10+.
If you are one of the top four defencemen in the league for four years (or more), you are a lock, (at least so far in history).
I'd say Mark Howe's more deserving than Blake (and Chara, so far) and he's not in yet.
Howe was a 3-time Norris runner-up/ First Team All-Star to go along with another 1st and 2nd team all-star selection in the WHA and he played against tougher competition than either Blake or Chara had.
Chara? You could say he's on pace, he's in the race, but still has some work to do to be a lock. I don't think Thomas has the constitution to put enough more stellar years together. All that being said....if we could just win a few Cups here....all bets are off!
