HOH Top 60 Goaltenders of All Time (2024 Edition) - Round 2, Vote 10

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
1930-1931
Source: 1930-31 Goalie Stats
Reg. season covered by 52 %.

RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Charlie Gardiner9002710181033.21%154434.09%1978594468764659350.95931.000.94414.5325.62
2.Roy Worters1900276086068.84%304468.18%3974358453658844000.95627.920.94224.7421.04
3.John Ross Roach17602760100063.77%284463.64%4187468354528764980.95329.860.93722.1614.67
4.Lorne Chabot5102300179022.17%83721.62%1680642669262829900.94333.180.9374.3314.12
5.Dolly Dolson12602750149045.82%204445.45%47105586627807098380.93433.760.9324.129.52
6.Tiny Thompson13502730138049.45%224450.00%3890526246256626770.94329.420.9339.739.08
7.Dave Kerr7401830109040.44%123138.71%2971423675413965830.92732.110.927-0.451.48
8.George Hainsworth8102740193029.56%134429.55%2289673267623488290.93725.780.9243.09-1.88
9.Jake Forbes1201200100.00%22100.00%7706006700.89633.500.896-2.17-2.04
10.Benny Grant25043018058.14%4757.14%5191411673121870.95929.040.9093.72-3.60
11.Flat Walsh31090059034.44%51631.25%935261342461432720.93727.680.9161.31-4.27
12.Bill Beveridge4605206088.46%8988.89%3032220529235310.87230.650.880-13.06-12.34
13.Joe Miller860821-39104.75%1515100.00%5047-3381-17431-200.88430.070.886-18.92-16.55
14.Alec Connell1330219086060.73%223661.11%58110527034407614920.92434.330.912-3.13-17.26
15.Wilf Cude174017793997.81%2929100.00%1271303942211069240.88136.860.881-49.93-49.11
14300273401304052.30%23344652.24%537105451769126276744967930.927931.250.9260


Playoffs, 40% complete data.
RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAAFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Charlie Gardiner38563825360.34%6966.67%71471991282061350.96632.100.9592.254.87
2.John Ross Roach1802406075.00%3475.00%440782782270.95127.330.963-0.322.04
3.Lorne Chabot601397943.17%1250.00%242425644580.95544.000.961-0.021.63
4.Tiny Thompson03433430.00%050.00%01313NANANANANANANANANA
5.George Hainsworth20572251728.39%31030.00%3211893224962420.96928.100.9381.31-2.31
6.Dave Kerr601206050.00%1250.00%583353740400.87540.000.900-3.20-3.58
8902202131240.42%143243.75%2164434476474686900.955131.550.9447

- official NHL all-stars:
1. Charlie Gardiner
2. Tiny Thompson
3. Roy Worters
4. George Hainsworth
5. John Ross Roach
6. Lorne Chabot

- no goalie featured in Hart voting

Connell’s last season in Ottawa was rough.

Gardiner continues to post great stats in line with his voting record.

Worters had another great season. Played for team with almost no recognizable names that finished outside playoffs, yet got into +20 GSAA territory in 44 games.
 

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
1931-1932
Source: 1931-32 Goalie Stats
Reg. season, 34% complete data.

RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Charlie Gardiner7602989222925.43%124825.00%219271396115241712230.95032.920.9446.8631.78
2.Lorne Chabot6902698200825.57%114425.00%1810688426120444412920.95938.610.93911.6625.04
3.Alec Connell13703040167045.07%214843.75%48108606658097138690.93331.230.932-0.3711.42
4.George Hainsworth9303008207830.92%154831.25%391107143498647310570.91830.520.928-7.405.47
5.Moe Roberts60600100.00%11100.00%1102903000.96730.000.9671.001.26
6.Benny Grant03193190.00%050.00%01818NANANANANANANANANA
7.Percy Jackson02302300.00%040.00%088NANANANANANANANANA
8.Dave Kerr060600.00%010.00%066NANANANANANANANANA
9.Al Shields037370.00%020.00%077NANANANANANANANANA
10.Harold Starr0330.00%010.00%000NANANANANANANANANA
11.Albert Leduc0220.00%010.00%011NANANANANANANANANA
12.King Clancy0110.00%010.00%011NANANANANANANANANA
13.Red Horner0110.00%010.00%011NANANANANANANANANA
14.Alex Levinsky0110.00%010.00%011NANANANANANANANANA
15.Normie Smith330126793726.05%52025.00%1562471975552126020.92938.550.924-0,84-0,57
16.John Ross Roach16103010140053.49%264854.17%57112557276277846820.92729.220.924-4,63-1,37
17.Jake Forbes12036024033.33%2633.33%716956117631260.88931.500.915-2,79-1,73
18.Flat Walsh3101730142017.92%52817.86%1177661597131707790.93532.900.9190,36-5,39
19.Wilf Cude1201614174.53%2366.67%6159671673250.91836.500.847-1,12-7,61
20.Tiny Thompson5202700218019.26%84318.60%8103952309032389980.96627.460.9177,90-9,73
21.Roy Worters1500246396360.90%244060.00%61112516924327534830.91930.120.909-10,70-18,68
8320241401582034.47%13239433.50%29295766540787644437083090.933231.510.9245


Playoffs, 79% complete data.
RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Flat Walsh1982586076.74%3475.00%45114143145440.97243.940.9746.747.73
2.Alec Connell601206050.00%1250.00%231454647470.95747.000.9681.483.33
3.Lorne Chabot4384380100.00%77100.00%15150216023100.93531.640.9352.120.57
4.Charlie Gardiner1201200100.00%22100.00%6607107700.92238.500.922-0.29-0.81
5.George Hainsworth18030012060.00%3475.00%9134896198650.90832.670.920-1.74-1.99
6.John Ross Roach36047811875.31%6785.71%2427318866212690.88735.330.904-8.29-8.03
1356171435879.11%222684.62%606997502058102140.925935.840.9326

- official NHL all-stars:
1. Charlie Gardiner
2. Roy Worters
3. Tiny Thompson
4. George Hainsworth
5. John Ross Roach
6. Lorne Chabot
7. Alec Connell

- no goalie featured in Hart voting

Relatively limited set of data but I’m not surprised to see Gardiner at the top again. Worters finished 2nd all-star with the worst regular season stats. Either the team worsened further in spite of Worters‘ best effort, or he benefited from his excellent past seasons.

Connell moved to Detroit and seemingly improved based on stats but he got almost no support in the media all-star vote.

Chabot continues to post great SV% and GSAA, season after season. At this point it’s clear he’s a goalie who looks better in numbers than in the award voting. Even though his teams always placed inside the playoffs, he just didn’t get enough voting support.

Roach’s last NYR season (RS and PO) looks bad. From this point of view, it doesn’t look surprising Rangers let him go.

First time Thompson recorded below average stats but as you can see, there were not a lot of his games with shots/saves. Normally I would still be inclined to believe Thompson had a down season since the Bruins missed the playoffs first time in 5 years. But he finished 3rd in the all-star voting…
 

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
1932-1933
Source: 1932-33 Goalie Stats
Reg. season, 57% complete data.

RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Charlie Gardiner11303010188037.54%184837.50%3710164661109769811610.94737.060.94613.5427.13
2.Tiny Thompson11803000182039.33%194839.58%3188575608555919120.94830.050.94111.7915.55
3.John Ross Roach7402970223024.92%124825.00%349359346108638011450.91130.810.939-6.4912.11
4.Lorne Chabot2328294661879.02%384879.17%9611115127434913703640.93035.310.9363.198.48
5.Andy Aitkenhead13102970166044.11%214843.75%49107586558347048920.93032.240.9331.973.00
6.Dave Kerr1430162019088.27%232688.46%54584716987701020.93032.310.9341.752.12
7.Jake Forbes70700100.00%11100.00%2204104300.95336.860.9531.110.96
8.Charlie Conacher440100.00%22100.00%00060601.00090.001.0000.430.41
9.Hugh Plaxton57570100.00%11100.00%5503103600.86137.890.861-2.39-2.52
10.Alec Connell52897744954.04%91656.25%2242202532142752340.92031.250.917-2.09-6.93
11.Bill Beveridge1932206313193.65%313393.94%878921020731107750.92134.380.925-6.85-7.54
12.Flat Walsh933130337071.60%162272.73%3856184171624551800.91629.260.912-5.06-12.21
13.George Hainsworth2380298060079.87%384879.17%8411531103525111192820.92528.210.918-2.98-18.44
14.Roy Worters13202970165044.44%214744.68%49116675206445697110.91425.860.909-7.80-27.77
15342269401159856.95%25043657.34%58898339575355746812361410.927631.770.9311


Playoffs, 100% complete data.
RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA
1.Tiny Thompson4384380100.00%55100.00%990248025700.96535.210.9654.97
2.Lorne Chabot6866860100.00%99100.00%18180354037200.95232.540.9522.22
3.Andy Aitkenhead4884880100.00%88100.00%13130263027600.95333.930.9532.01
4.Dave Kerr1201200100.00%22100.00%5505205700.91228.500.912-1.90
5.John Ross Roach2402400100.00%44100.00%8808709500.91623.750.916-2.84
6.George Hainsworth1201200100.00%22100.00%8805706500.87732.500.877-4.47
209220920100.00%3030100.00%6161010610112200.945632.180.9456

- official NHL all-stars:
1. John Ross Roach
2. Charlie Gardiner
3. Roy Worters
4. Tiny Thompson
5. Lorne Chabot
6. Dave Kerr

- unofficial NHL coaches/GMs all-stars:
1. Charlie Gardiner
2. Roy Worters

- according to Hart voting:
1. John Ross Roach (3rd in Hart)

Roach had one of his best career seasons after playing in Detroit but the stats still endorse Gardiner as a netminder tier above others.

For a 2nd season in a row, Worters was getting a good voting support from media and coaches in spite of posting the worst stats by far.
 

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
1933-1934
Source: 1933-34 Goalie Stats
Reg. season, 84% complete data.

RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Andy Aitkenhead2060299093068.90%334868.75%8811325121156112995860.93237.830.94012.5429.38
2.Charlie Gardiner2100305095068.85%334868.75%63832095744110204610.93829.140.94415.9528.87
3.Wilf Cude1600192032083.33%253083.33%424756941427361470.94327.600.94714.9719.70
4.Lorne Chabot292829280100.00%4747100.00%101101013870148800.93230.490.93214.1711.37
5.Roy Worters1677224056374.87%273675.00%5875177052397632560.92427.300.9261.061.96
6.Percy Jackson060600.00%010.00%099NANANANANANANANANA
7.Doug Young021210.00%010.00%011NANANANANANANANANA
8.Alec Connell4340-3107.50%11100.00%22019-121-10.90529.300.898-0.37-0.52
9.Abbie Cox1331330100.00%33100.00%8804305100.84323.010.843-4.05-4.15
10.Tiny Thompson2230297974974.86%364875.00%9512833112237612174090.92232.740.921-0.80-5.23
11.George Hainsworth2890301012096.01%464895.83%11611931308561424590.91929.560.920-5.78-7.00
12.Benny Grant2503207078.13%4580.00%131858723100280.87024.000.859-5.26-8.33
13.John Ross Roach751103027972.91%131872.22%3245133121153441280.90727.480.905-5.37-9.37
14.Moe Roberts2763366082.14%5683.33%2325213031153330.85033.260.866-11.16-10.93
15.Dave Kerr300030606098.04%474897.92%11912231316261435290.91728.700.917-7.93-11.47
16.Bill Beveridge294030006098.00%474897.92%13914341418281557320.91131.780.910-18.49-23.02
2287827117423984.37%36743684.17%89910391401070920111160821510.922630.440.9245

Playoffs, 100% complete data.
RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA
1.Charlie Gardiner5425420100.00%88100.00%12120216022800.94725.240.9471.50
2.Andy Aitkenhead1201200100.00%22100.00%2205605800.96629.000.9661.43
3.Lorne Chabot1311310100.00%22100.00%4407608000.95036.640.9500.74
4.Dave Kerr2402400100.00%44100.00%770123013000.94632.500.9460.69
5.Wilf Cude5935930100.00%99100.00%21210325034600.93935.010.939-0.52
6.George Hainsworth3023020100.00%55100.00%11110110012100.90924.040.909-3.84
192819280100.00%3030100.00%57570906096300.940829.970.9408

- official NHL all-stars:
1. Charlie Gardiner
2. Roy Worters
3. Tiny Thompson
4. Wilf Cude
5. George Hainsworth
6. Andy Aitkenhead
7. Dave Kerr
8. Lorne Chabot & Bill Beveridge

- unofficial NHL coaches/GMs all-stars:
1. Charlie Gardiner
2. Roy Worters
3. Tiny Thompson & Wilf Cude
5. George Hainsworth

- according to Hart voting:
1. Roy Worters (5th in Hart)

Surprising name at the top of the list. Andy Aitkenhead posted great stats in 1934 but it didn’t project itself into NHL all-stars as much. Gardiner’s last season was as good as it gets.

Chabot had yet another very good season statistically that both members of the press and coaches/GMs declined to recognize. Worth pointing out that Chabot’s all 4 playoffs (1931-1934) were above average too (from the SV% vantage point).

On the other side of things, I’d expect Tiny Thompson to fare worse in the voting. 1934 was the season of Baily-Shore incident. Shore’s suspension lasted 16 games and the Bruins missed the playoffs.
 

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
1934-1935
Source: 1934-35 Goalie Stats
Reg. season, 86% complete data.

RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA RecordedFull Season Projected GSAA
1.Dave Kerr1540228774767.34%253767.57%64943098447810485080.93940.830.94019.0028.47
2.Lorne Chabot2260294068076.87%374877.08%708818102531110953290.93629.070.93816.7224.09
3.Alec Connell297029700100.00%4848100.00%9292012400133200.93126.910.93113.4912.82
4.Tiny Thompson2720297025091.58%444891.67%9611216122510513211210.92729.140.9228.621.51
5.Charlie Conacher330100.00%11100.00%00040401.00080.001.0000.320.31
6.Bill Beveridge2540299045084.95%414885.42%12714417142725815542750.91836.710.921-3.92-0.05
7.George Hainsworth295729570100.00%4848100.00%111111012850139600.92028.330.920-0.44-1.15
8.Normie Smith1360155019087.74%222588.00%4752550272549770.91424.220.917-3.52-2.76
9.Andy Aitkenhead5506106090.16%91090.00%3437335539389420.91342.440.914-3.19-3.05
10.Percy Jackson60600100.00%11100.00%8802903700.78437.000.784-5.07-5.09
11.John Ross Roach1340146012091.78%212391.30%5462858149635570.91528.430.910-3.71-7.56
12.Wilf Cude290029606097.97%474897.92%14414511461321605330.91033.210.911-16.88-16.09
13.Roy Worters19403000106064.67%314864.58%99142438824939815360.89930.340.906-21.30-22.62
2314026757361786.48%37543386.61%94610871411100017261194618670.920830.970.9213


Playoffs, 100% complete data.
RankNameMin. Played RecordedMin. Played TotalMin. Played Missing% of TOI MeasuredGP RecordedGP Total% of GP MeasuredGA RecordedGA OfficialGA MissingSaves RecordedSaves MissingSA RecordedSA MissingSV% RecordedSOG/60Full Season SV% Est.GSAA
1.Lorne Chabot1251250100.00%22100.00%1105906000.98328.800.9832.16
2.Alec Connell4304300100.00%77100.00%880181018900.95826.370.9581.95
3.Tiny Thompson2752750100.00%44100.00%770146015300.95433.380.9541.05
4.Dave Kerr2402400100.00%44100.00%10100156016600.94041.500.940-1.26
5.George Hainsworth4604600100.00%77100.00%12120180019200.93825.040.938-1.89
6.Wilf Cude1201200100.00%22100.00%6607007600.92138.000.921-2.00
165016500100.00%2626100.00%44440792083600.947430.400.9474

- official NHL all-stars:
1. Lorne Chabot
2. Tiny Thompson
3. Roy Worters
4. Alec Connell
5. George Hainsworth
6. Dave Kerr
7. Wilf Cude

- unofficial NHL coaches/GM all-stars:
1. Tiny Thompson
2. Roy Worters
3. Lorne Chabot, Wilf Cude & Alec Connell all mentioned with an undisclosed number of votes

- no goalie featured in Hart voting

Chabot got finally recognized by the media. However coaches or GMs saw more value in Thompson and Worters. Although none of the two look too great in SV% and GSAA. Boston won the American division and had plenty of HOFers in the lineup. Worters once again comes worst with regards to numbers.

Alec Connell’s bounce back season indeed looks good. Reg. season and playoffs combined, him and Chabot appear the best goalkeepers of this season.

Good for Dave Kerr breaking out. But it can be pointed out that the Lester Patrick’s Rangers provided really good environment for their goalies and their SV%. I don’t mean just the roster filled with quality players but also a pattern discussed rounds ago and also present in these reconstructed SV% data – Rangers consistently allowed higher volume of shots against. The pattern isn’t existing in absolutely every season but is very much pronounced here in 1935 – Kerr and Aitkenhead having SOG/60 above 40.
 

DN28

Registered User
Jan 2, 2014
673
775
Prague
Summary:

Charlie Gardiner
  • We have a confirmation that Gardiner’s peak is as good as advertised. Shame how short his career was.
Roy Worters
  • Surprisingly inconsistent, up-and-down statistical resumé. Some seasons with excellent stats, some seasons with the worst league stats. While Gardiner’s voting record matches the numbers, Worters' decade-straight top-3 all-star placements don’t align with his SV% and GSAA finishes. There is at least a discovery that his Hart winning, or Hart nominee seasons tended to be seasons during which he performed well according to available statistics. There was no Al Rollins 1954 „Thank you for your effort“ Hart winning season with Worters.
Tiny Thompson
  • Thompson’s record is in my opinion nothing that moves the needle either way. His stats are mostly good, above average, as they should be given the team he played for. In this time frame we were looking at Thompson had two below average reg. seasons. 1932 and 1934 which coincide with the only two 1930s Boston Bruins reg. seasons of not qualifying for playoffs. Case for Thompson would be a lot stronger if we were to see him sort of transcending his team’s performance even in these two instances of Bruins slipping.
George Hainsworth
  • If there is a goalie whose disappointed me in this examination, it will be Hainsworth. I have no doubt that Hainsworth was one of the best netminders in the world between 1926-1930. However during 1931-1935 Hainsworth was removed from the elite, posting below average numbers both reg. season and playoffs. The project earlier also revealed very underwhelming OHA part of Hainsworth career and we’re now left with a goalie of great 5-season prime and that’s that. Before the project started I had higher view of Hainsworth’s career.
Alec Connell
  • Connel’s statistical performance mostly match the voting record except for the 1932 Detroit season where he looks good on paper, both reg. season and playoffs, but barely received any all-star votes. Outside very good 1927 & 1928, Connell’s great 1935 season is confirmed by the numbers.
John Ross Roach
  • I would expect Roach coming out better than he did. He was certainly not a save percentage star of his era. At least we should remember that the covered time frame doesn’t include a lot of Roach’s NHL seasons.
Lorne Chabot
  • Chabot is the winner of this exercise. Over 1927-1935, he played for 4 different teams. Every single season he posted above average regular season and playoffs. There is 5 playoffs in row (1931-1935) with pretty decent statistical coverage where Chabot never failed to deliver SV% above the average. Chabot’s award recognition was clearly below all the forementioned goaltenders but the numbers paints a lot more charitable picture of his career.
 

jigglysquishy

Registered User
Jun 20, 2011
8,608
9,810
Regina, Saskatchewan
A few quotes about Ed Giacomin

Toledo Blade · ‎Jun 6, 1969
"Ed Giacomin was the best goalie in the league last season, but he didn't get the Vezina or make the first All-Star team," Ranger coach Emile Francis said, "Durability should count for more than it does."

The Calgary Herald · ‎Apr 2, 1969
The Rangers seem to have the edge in goalkeeping [vs. Montreal and Gump Worsley]. In Ed Giacomin, they have the top netminder in the Eastern Division.

The Sun · ‎Jan 16, 1967
There was a time when Ed Giacomin used to travel extensively about the area of his New York Ranger goal. While he was absent, the opposition occasionally scored. Emile Francis, the Ranger coach and GM, told Giacomin if he planned to be the leauge's best goaltender he should stay in his net. Giacomin listened, and in the space of two and of-half months, has become the best goaltender in the NHL.

The Calgary Herald · ‎Dec 4, 1984
What's wrong with today's netminders?
It wasn't so long ago that Mike Liut was considered the best goalie in the NHL. Now, St. Louis talks of "upgrading" its goaltending.

It wasn't so long ago that Mario Lessard was an NHL all-star. Now, he is a New Haven Nighthawk. Twice in the past two seasons he has been rejected by the LA Kings, a team in need of a goaltender.

It wasn't so long ago that Don Beaupre was considered hockey's brightest young goaltender. Now, the North Stars of Minnesota talk of trading Beaupre, if anyone will take him.

The state of the goaltender in the NHL has changed so much in recent times. Remember a six-team NHL, with Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk in goal for Toronto; Ed Giacomin in New York, Gerry Cheevers in Boston; Roger Crozier in Detroit; Glenn Hall in Chicago; Gump Worlsey and Charlie Hodge in Montreal. Those were goalies. Today, one would be hard-pressed to find a goaltender of that level playing the game.

The Phoenix · ‎Apr 11, 1987
Giacomin was a key link in the rise of the Rangers in the late '60s. He was one of the first goaltenders to roam from his net to clear loose pucks - and one of the last to don a mask.
 

Michael Farkas

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Ranger coach Emile Francis said, "Durability should count for more than it does."
Uh huh, that's what I'm kinda saying...except, the opposite (for this purpose). Not all All-Star votes are created equal. We just came out of a time when goalies played every minute of every game all season. Those guys got old and even in their 40's they were better than most of their peers, but they couldn't play 70 games anymore.

Giacomin just played a lot and seemed to get a lot of credit for that...

1967 decisions:
1. Giacomin 68
2. Crozier 54
3. DeJordy 41
4. Hodge 36
5. Johnston 31

1968 decisions:
1. Giacomin 66
2. Hodge 57 (13 wins)
3. Binkley 54
4. DeJordy 49
5. Hall 48

1969 decisions:
1. Giacomin 68
2. Maniago 62
3. Gamble 59

1970 decisions:
1. Giacomin 70
2. Smith 65
3. Vachon 61

He splits time to get a Vezina with Villemure in '71. They both had the same scant Hart voting that year.

Who did the voters really have to go to, particularly in those first couple seasons? They got boxed into Giacomin because he's the only guy that played. If folks don't like wins as a stat, they surely can't like "participated" as a stat.

He finally captures another 1-AS, but was about three 42-year-old Jacques Plante games away from losing that too.

So, his two 1-AS deals are against absolutely no one in a situation where he was actively losing starts to Gilles Villemure (who was not particularly impressive) and split his way to a Vezina. Same Hart vote, same basic stats, Villemure was a weaker 4-AS as he was a 30 year old minor leaguer playing in the NHL for the first time. (Of course, they would turn to Villemure at points in the next few playoffs),

And the other 1-AS is because only like one other guy played half the games in the whole league and that guy ((Crozier) earned the most losses and gave up the most goals with that effort.

Like, I get it...there's a block of cheese there that looks sort of tempting...but it's probably about as weak of a stretch in terms of players that were "eligible" (so to speak) to be voted for for any position for any stretch of time in history...I'm trying to think if there's a left wing stretch that might compare or something, maybe someone smarter than me can challenge it...

Red herring voting record, poor playoff performer, appears to have not been considered for Team Canada (against Esposito, Larocque, and Johnston), fails the eye test...I know folks get antsy if a player sits on the board for too long for whatever reason, but I just don't see the case from any angle.
 
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