Were the Detroit Red Wings Robbed of a Hall of Fame Induction?

Were the Detroit Red Wings robbed of a Hall of Fame induction?

Henrik Zetterberg and Chirs Osgood had outstanding careers, yet they wait for the NHL Hall of Fame.

Chris Osgood

Osgood played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders. He had a reputation for coming up big in big games and being a goaltender who could consistently play 50-60 games in any given season.

Everyone knew what they would get from Osgood each and every season he played.

Were the Detroit Red Wings robbed of a Hall of Fame induction?

Osgood deserves to be in the Hall of Fame as he has been eligible since 2014. Some of his credentials include three Stanley Cups, two all-star games, two William Jennings Trophies, 67 playoff wins, 401 wins (13th all-time), 50 career shutouts, and he even scored a goal during the 1995-1996 regular season.

With this 2023 Hall of Fame class, Osgood has more career wins, more shutouts, a better save percentage, and more 30-win seasons than Barrasso and Vernon. He also has more Cups than Vernon, Lundqvist, Barrasso, and Turgeon.

Osgood also has a better save percentage than Vernon and Barrasso but is pretty even with Lundqvist.

Again, no disrespect to Lundqvist, Vernon, and Barrasso as they all had amazing careers. However, Osgood has had better numbers in most categories than these three, and yet he is still awaiting a call from the Hall.

Henrik Zetterberg

Zetterberg is another Detroit Red Wings player that has been snubbed when it comes to the Hall of Fame. Zetterberg was never a highlight reel player nor one to lead the league in scoring.

However, he was consistent in his play and scoring, as he also came up big, like Osgood, in the playoffs and crucial situations. His playoff stats include 57 goals and 63 assists for 120 points in 137 playoff games. He was the 2007-2008 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, as he scored 13 goals and added 14 assists for 27 points, and was a +16 in 22 games.

Zetterberg won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, was a King Clancy Award winner in the 2014-2015 season, and was a member of the NHL All-Rookie team in 2002-2003. His career +/- was a +160, better than Turgeon’s +139.

His three Cups were more than Turgeon’s, who did not get a chance to hoist the Cup. Turgeon had a solid career and was also consistent in his play.

However, whenever we talk about who should be eligible for the Hall of Fame, stats and championships are two of the most critical pieces of criteria that this is based on. For that reason alone, Zetterberg and Osgood should already be in the Hall of Fame.