2025 HHoF: Who would you vote for?

[BLNY]

What’s your reasoning for not?

If I picked only one name and it wasn't Keith, would you be asking?

I didn't know the limit for male players when I selected (4). I scanned the list and picked three that I thought were deserving. Mogilny and Tkachuk are long overdue. Other than that, I don't need a reason other than feeling they're deserving of the honour - which is likely as much thought as is put in by the committee.

 

[JaegerDice]

If I picked only one name and it wasn't Keith, would you be asking?

I didn't know the limit for male players when I selected (4). I scanned the list and picked three that I thought were deserving. Mogilny and Tkachuk are long overdue. Other than that, I don't need a reason other than feeling they're deserving of the honour - which is likely as much thought as is put in by the committee.

What's the rationale for Chara over Keith though? Fewer team and individual awards at the NHL level. More team awards at the international level, but no golds.

It just seems between the two big Dmen on the list, Keith would be the clear choice. And I say that as a big fan of Chara. When it comes down resume, Keith's is just.... better.

For the record, I picked both Chara and Keith in this poll.

 

[Regal]

What's the rationale for Chara over Keith though? Fewer team and individual awards at the NHL level. More team awards at the international level, but no golds.

It just seems between the two big Dmen on the list, Keith would be the clear choice. And I say that as a big fan of Chara. When it comes down resume, Keith's is just.... better.

For the record, I picked both Chara and Keith in this poll.

Chara does have the much better Norris record outside of wins. He was a finalist 6 times whereas Keith only was in his two wins. He also played considerably more games. I think Keith was better at his best, including playoffs, but Chara was effective for longer and probably more consistent in his prime. I can see it depending a bit on what someone values, though I don’t see how there’d be enough separation to take one and not the other.

 

[JaegerDice]

Chara does have the much better Norris record outside of wins. He was a finalist 6 times whereas Keith only was in his two wins. He also played considerably more games. I think Keith was better at his best, including playoffs, but Chara was effective for longer and probably more consistent in his prime. I can see it depending a bit on what someone values, though I don’t see how there’d be enough separation to take one and not the other.

That's a fair argument.

 

[BLNY]

What's the rationale for Chara over Keith though? Fewer team and individual awards at the NHL level. More team awards at the international level, but no golds.

It just seems between the two big Dmen on the list, Keith would be the clear choice. And I say that as a big fan of Chara. When it comes down resume, Keith's is just.... better.

For the record, I picked both Chara and Keith in this poll.

Both had great careers. Maybe it's because I watch more Eastern Conference hockey, but I saw more Chara and thought - regardless of any awards - he was the more impactful player for longer.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Zdeno Chara
Carey Price
Duncan Keith
Joe Thornton

This right here. No need to overthink it, it's the 4 most deserving eligible players.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

What's the rationale for Chara over Keith though? Fewer team and individual awards at the NHL level. More team awards at the international level, but no golds.

It just seems between the two big Dmen on the list, Keith would be the clear choice. And I say that as a big fan of Chara. When it comes down resume, Keith's is just.... better.

For the record, I picked both Chara and Keith in this poll.

Despite the 2 to 1 Norris lead, I'd argue Chara was the better player and for longer. Keith was obviously better offensively, but Chara was that much better defensively (and physical play). Which isnt to call Keith a 1 way D-man, he clearly wasnt. But Chara is in the conversation for Top 5 defensive D of all time.

Norris record is 1-2-2-3-3-3-3-4-5 for Chara vs 1-1-4 for Keith

Chara has 3x AS-1 and 4x AS-2 vs 2x AS-1 and 1x AS-2 for Keith

Another factor IMO is that yes Keith has 3 Cups, but he was either #2 or #3 (depending on Toews that season) best on his team whereas Chara was unquestionably the best player on his team every year. And that 3-1 advantage is much closer than it looks considering Chara has 2 SC Finals losses, 2013 where only 1 game was decided by more than 1 goal and 2019 which went 7.

It's not entirely an apples to apples comparison, but to me its like how a lot of people choose Bourque over Lidstrom because of how long he dominated vs Lidstrom having more Norris trophies and Cups.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

If the intention is to prioritize the newly eligible players, I'd go for Chara, Thornton, Keith and Getzlaf.

If it's the most deserving, I'd make Getzlaf wait a year, and would vote for Elias instead. (I'm convinced he's the most underrated winger, and perhaps the most underrated forward, of the past 30 years).

Ultimately, I think Chara, Thornton, Keith, Getzlaf, Elias, Zetterberg and Price are all worthy.

I'm with @tarheelhockey on Mogilny. I'm baffled by HFBoards' fascination with him.