To be fair, goalies are still relatively untouched as controversial picks. Barrasso was long overdue to get in and let's not forget it took them decades to finally put Vachon in. Vernon would be the most controversial pick in the HHOF in the goalie category. And I think even in that situation it was his peaks that got him in over his lows. Maybe a hot and cold career is better than just a solid goalie. Osgood was a solid goalie but never a great goalie. He'd be behind Andy Moog, who is shy of deserving it. Mike Liut would be ahead of Osgood who doesn't have a shot. I don't think I would have put Vernon in, he was fine on the outside, but I can think of at least a half dozen goalies not in who get in before Osgood. Maybe 10.
Osgood was 2nd, 7th, 10th and 11th in Vezina voting. That's it. And even then, when he was 2nd he was on the 1996 Wings who helped give him those gaudy win totals that year. Does anyone actually think Osgood was the 2nd best goalie in the NHL that year? He wasn't even on the radar for the World Cup team and was never considered for an Olympic team either. Vernon doesn't have the shiniest Vezina voting record either but it is still better than Osgood's. And Vernon was more central to his team's success in the playoffs. And yes, he had some boners in between where he was awful and most to blame for the Flames' collapse. But he still had the great moments. I wouldn't have put either of them in, but I'd put Vernon in over Osgood.
Cheevers is often the other controversial pick in the HHOF in net. I am alright with him in there because he was a better goalie amongst his peers than Osgood. Had some highs in the playoffs too, has a good playoff record. Likely would have been the starter for Canada in the 1972 Summit Series had he not left for the WHA. There is very little that has been lowered standard-wise with goalies, we should keep it that way.