Could Bob Gainey have made the Hall of Fame if he didn't play for Montreal?

[Required Fields]

Now, Gainey definitely has the hardware for a Hall of Fame worthy player. He has five Stanley Cups, four Selke Trophies, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Lots of hardware.

This is not me saying he shouldn't be there by any means. He is widely seen as the exception to the rule for players with his type of stats. He brought more attention to what is commonly an understated part of the game.

However, looking through some hockey discussions, I've seen some people call Gainey overrated said that he only really got to being a HOF worthy player because he was part of a dynasty team.

Do you think he could have made the Hall of Fame if he was playing for someone like the Chicago Blackhawks or the New York Rangers during the time he played in the NHL? Do you think he would have been utilized differently by them and found a different way to become Hall of Fame worthy?

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[Sasha Orlov]

As the best defensive forward in history, he is a lock regardless of team

He was so good that they had to invent an award to give him

 

[montreal]

Now, Gainey definitely has the hardware for a Hall of Fame worthy player. He has five Stanley Cups, four Selke Trophies, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Lots of hardware.

This is not me saying he shouldn't be there by any means. He is widely seen as the exception to the rule for players with his type of stats. He brought more attention to what is commonly an understated part of the game.

However, looking through some hockey discussions, I've seen some people call Gainey overrated said that he only really got to being a HOF worthy player because he was part of a dynasty team.

Do you think he could have made the Hall of Fame if he was playing for someone like the Chicago Blackhawks or the New York Rangers during the time he played in the NHL? Do you think he would have been utilized differently by them and found a different way to become Hall of Fame worthy?

before my time but I can't believe it's even a question, he was considered the greatest defensive forward ever, that's not from being on a stacked team.

 

[zizbuka]

He peaked at 47 points, so for me he shouldn't be in. Being great at 1 thing isn't HOF worthy for me.

Like baseball, a DH should never get into the HOF.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

As the best defensive forward in history, he is a lock regardless of team

He was so good that they had to invent an award to give him

Would they have invented such an award if he didn’t play for Montreal?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Would they have invented such an award if he didn’t play for Montreal?

Definitely

 

[Fantomas]

No. The Michael Cooper of the Habs dynasty.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

No. The Michael Cooper of the Habs dynasty.

Now I want to know who the Kurt Rambis is.

 

[Goptor]

Probably not. Put him on the Golden Seals and he doesn't show off in the playoffs and wont get the same defensive recognition if the other guys on the ice don't perform well.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Him and Carbonneau are easy HOFs. Guys who dominate such a specific and important role to that extent deserve to be in. Looking at their offensive numbers is dumb as hell.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Nope

 

[Bouboumaster]

Obviously lol
What a weird question

Patrice Bergeron is going in the HOF because he won a bunch of times the award they created to give to Gainey because he was the best at it (and arguably still the best)

Other teams might have won the Stanley Cup more if they had a guys like Gainey to stop the offense of super stacked teams like the 70s Habs

 

[Voight]

They literally introuced the Selke award for him. Hes why it exists.

Had the Selke been around earlier, he likely would have the most wins instead of Bergeron.

 

[BLNY]

Now, Gainey definitely has the hardware for a Hall of Fame worthy player. He has five Stanley Cups, four Selke Trophies, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Lots of hardware.

This is not me saying he shouldn't be there by any means. He is widely seen as the exception to the rule for players with his type of stats. He brought more attention to what is commonly an understated part of the game.

However, looking through some hockey discussions, I've seen some people call Gainey overrated said that he only really got to being a HOF worthy player because he was part of a dynasty team.

Do you think he could have made the Hall of Fame if he was playing for someone like the Chicago Blackhawks or the New York Rangers during the time he played in the NHL? Do you think he would have been utilized differently by them and found a different way to become Hall of Fame worthy?

The Russians thought he was the best player in the world. The NHL made an award for him. He's a hof'er wherever he plays.

 

[nowhereman]

As the best defensive forward in history, he is a lock regardless of team

He was so good that they had to invent an award to give him

They literally introuced the Selke award for him. Hes why it exists.

Had the Selke been around earlier, he likely would have the most wins instead of Bergeron.

Would they have invented such an award if he didn’t play for Montreal?

I feel that's more lore and heresay than reality. At the time the award was created, Gainey had only been in the NHL 4 years and Bobby Clarke was seen as the best defensive forward during that time. Outscoring the opposition 5 to 1 when he was on the ice (as opposed to 3 to 2 off it), Clarke was only on the ice for 19 even-strength goals against in 1975 and 22 in 1976. He was voted by opposing coaches as the best checker in 73, 74 and 76, along with also being named the best penalty killer in 74 and 76. Gainey had only really just started to get going in his career.

 

[SoupNazi]

Now, Gainey definitely has the hardware for a Hall of Fame worthy player. He has five Stanley Cups, four Selke Trophies, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Lots of hardware.

This is not me saying he shouldn't be there by any means. He is widely seen as the exception to the rule for players with his type of stats. He brought more attention to what is commonly an understated part of the game.

However, looking through some hockey discussions, I've seen some people call Gainey overrated said that he only really got to being a HOF worthy player because he was part of a dynasty team.

Do you think he could have made the Hall of Fame if he was playing for someone like the Chicago Blackhawks or the New York Rangers during the time he played in the NHL? Do you think he would have been utilized differently by them and found a different way to become Hall of Fame worthy?

That’s definitely a strange question, given the significance of Bob Gainey’s contributions to the game. Yes, he played on a dynasty team, but reducing his Hall of Fame worthiness to that alone doesn't do justice to the role he carved out in hockey. Gainey wasn’t just another player on the Canadiens; he defined what it meant to be a defensive forward, essentially pioneering a role that had been undervalued before his time.


His five Stanley Cups and Conn Smythe Trophy are impressive, but the four Selke Trophies speak louder in this argument. The Selke wasn’t awarded based on the team you played for; it was based on how you performed as a defensive forward. Gainey’s ability to shut down top players across the league, regardless of team, is why he won it four times in a row. His work ethic, defensive skills, and leadership would have stood out no matter where he played.


Could he have done it with another team like Chicago or the Rangers? It’s hard to say exactly how different coaching systems would have used him, but Gainey’s style and discipline would have translated anywhere. He would still have been the shutdown specialist every coach needed, and his impact on how teams think about defensive play wouldn’t have changed.


Ultimately, Gainey’s place in the Hall of Fame isn’t just about being part of a great team; it’s about how he revolutionized a key part of the game. He absolutely belongs in the Hall of Fame, no matter which jersey he wore.

 

[57special]

But would the Canadiens have been as good if Gainey wasn't on the team? Absolutely not. as someone who watched him play both on the screen and in person, he was an absolute defensive force on the ice like no one else I've ever seen, at least as a forward. Point counters will never understand that.

 

[RebuildinVan]

Not a lock. He likely wouldve had an entirely different role on another team. Montreal was stacked with scorers so he wasnt counted on for that and could focus on defense

 

[JianYang]

The Russians thought he was the best player in the world. The NHL made an award for him. He's a hof'er wherever he plays.

I think it was tikhonov who said that. Really interesting that out of all players on team Canada, he specifically mentioned gainey

Edit: My mistake, he said this during the 1979 cup final.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

If Gainey wasn't on the Habs, would they have had as much success. Sure, they had sexier players, but I'm not sure they are as dominant.

 

[MXD]

- It's probably more for the History of Hockey board

- There's a solid argument to be made about Gainey not making the Hall if he's playing for another team that's not as as solid as the Canadiens, but that's mostly due to usage : he'd be stuck playing more offensive minutes in which he presumably wouldn't do THAT great, considering his puck skills were average (the rest was pretty much elite).

- It's not about Montreal per se, but about those teams, which happened to be playing in Montreal.

- If Gainey gets picked by Boston, Don Cherry almost certainly has a Cup (just disregard this would involve not picking Savard, who then is obviously not traded for McNab) and we'd be hearing even more about Bob Gainey's legend, despite lesser accomplishments all things considered.

- If Gainey plays for the Islanders (and this doesn't involve them losing Potvin somehow)... It's scary.

- The same question can be asked about many players. Bryan Trottier is a very obvious upper-quarter HHOF'er, but what happens if he spends his career with the Colorado Rockies/NJ Devils?

 

[PaulD]

Now, Gainey definitely has the hardware for a Hall of Fame worthy player. He has five Stanley Cups, four Selke Trophies, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Lots of hardware.

This is not me saying he shouldn't be there by any means. He is widely seen as the exception to the rule for players with his type of stats. He brought more attention to what is commonly an understated part of the game.

However, looking through some hockey discussions, I've seen some people call Gainey overrated said that he only really got to being a HOF worthy player because he was part of a dynasty team.


Do you think he could have made the Hall of Fame if he was playing for someone like the Chicago Blackhawks or the New York Rangers during the time he played in the NHL? Do you think he would have been utilized differently by them and found a different way to become Hall of Fame worthy?

Yes he would have. Where ever he played.
He was also captain of that "dynasty team" ....for good reason. Huge ingredient of that "dynasty team"
I'll trust my own eyes and the words of Ken Dryden, Scotty Bowman, Brian Trottier , Guy Lafleur etc .......before I put an ounce of credibility into "I've seen some people say he's over rated"
What a reach.

 

[bland]

It's an interesting question. Role players are always easier to admire on a winner, and you often see them as the first ones criticized by portions of the fan base on a loser.

If he was a Leaf at the time, he likely would have been a guy the sharper fans lauded but probably not a Hall of famer.

 

[Miller Time]

This thread showcases the difference between posters that watch hockey & those that understand hockey lol

 

[Romang67]

This thread showcases the difference between posters that watch hockey & those that understand hockey lol

I'm not sure I agree. The base question is an interesting one. Yes, Gainey was a massive part of the Habs dynasty, and he's obviously one of the best defensive forwards ever.

But is Bergeron a relevant historical player without Thomas and Rask? Kopitar without Quick? Toews without Keith and Kane?

Would they be remembered by the average fan in 20 years if not for the players around them, even if they obviously were imperative for their team's winning?