Does Bert Olmstead Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Bert Olmstead was one of the premier passing wingers of his era, leading both the regular season and playoffs in assists two times. He also won five Stanley Cups.

But his playoff numbers are significantly worse than his regular season numbers, despite the Cups. And he never made a end of season 1st Team in a league with only 6 franchises.

So, does Bert Olmstead belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Listen to us discuss here:

Bert Olmstead’s Career:

• 1948-1962; 14 seasons, 13 quality
• Totals:
  • 181G,
  • 421A (4th All Time at his retirement) for
  • 602P (t-7th All Time at his retirement),
  • -1 [last 176 games only] in
  • 848 Games (8th All Time at his retirement);
  • 56.5 PS;
  • At his retirement, Olmstead was tied for 4th All Time among Forwards in Defensive Point Shares (behind only Rocket, Lindsay and Howe)
• Per Game:
  • 9th All Time in APG at his retirement (17 qualifying players)
  • 19th All Time in PPG at his retirement (20 qualifying players)
• Not drafted
• Era: Of the 12 players to play in at least 738 games (9 modern seasons) between 1948 and 1962, Olmstead is
  • 6th in Goals
  • Doesn’t qualify for GPG but is last if the qualifier is lowered enough for him to qualify
  • 2nd in Assists (160 out of 1st)
  • 3rd in APG (7 qualifying players)
  • 3rd in Points (over 400 out of 1st)
  • 4th in PPG (2nd last among 5 qualifying players)
  • 5th in Offensive Point Shares
  • 9th (2nd/3rd Forward) in Defensive Point Shares
  • 10th (3rd last) in Point Shares
• 82-game average: 17G, 41A for 58P
• 3-year peak (1954-57): 70-game average of 13G, 47A for 60P
• Playoffs:
  • 16G,
  • 43A (9th All Time at his retirement) for
  • 59P (t-13th All time at his retirement),
  • 0 [last 17 games only] in
  • 115 Games (t-5th All Time at his retirement)
  • Per Game: At his retirement, Olmstead was
    • 14th All Time in playoff APG (17 qualifying players)
    • 16th All Time in playoff PPG (17 qualifying players);
    • Olmstead doesn’t qualifying for the playoff GPG leader-board but if we lower the qualifier so he does, he is last among qualifying players in playoff GPG
  • Era: Of the 12 skaters to play in at least 82 playoff games between 1948 and 1962, Olmstead is
    • 8th in playoff Goals
    • Last in playoff GPG (doesn’t actually qualify)
    • 6th in playoff Assists
    • 6th in playoff APG (2nd last among qualifying players, last forward)
    • 7th in playoff Points
    • 7th in playoff PPG (2nd last among qualifying players, last forward)
    • T-2nd in playoff Games
• Adjusted for Era:
  • Hockey-Reference:
    • 217G,
    • 545A for
    • 762P
    • Adjusted 82-game average: 21G, 53A for 74P (+16P per 82 games)
  • VsX:
    • Goals: doesn’t qualify
    • 719A
    • 833P
    • Per Game: Doesn’t qualify but if the qualifier is raised to 820 games played, Olmstead is
      • 9th All Time in VsX Adjusted APG
• Trades:
  • Traded at 24 with Vic Stasiuk (21) to the Red Wings for Steve Black (23) and Leo Fogolin (24)
  • Traded two weeks later to the Canadiens for Leo Gravelle (25) – Our 11th Greatest Canadiens Trade of All Time
  • Waived (left exposed?) at 31
  • Waived (left exposed?) at 35

Bert Olmstead’s Accomplishments:

• Top 5 in Hart voting once
• Top 5 in Calder voting
• All Star:
  • 2nd Team All Star twice
  • 4 All Star Game appearances
• Top Player:
  • Top 10 Offensive Player (by OPS) twice
• Goals:
  • GPG leader-boards:
    • Top 10 in GPG once
  • Single-season totals:
    • 20 goals once
• Assists:
  • Leader-boards:
    • Led the league in Assists twice
    • Top 5 three times
    • Top 10 four times
  • APG leader-boards:
    • Led the league in APG twice
    • Top 5 three times
    • Top 10 five times
  • Single-season totals:
    • 50 assists once (1 of only 10 players ever at his retirement)
    • 40 assists twice (1 of only 20 players ever at his retirement)
• Points:
  • Leader-boards:
    • Top 5 in Points twice
    • Top 10 four times
  • PPG leader-boards:
    • Top 5 in PPG once
    • Top 10 four times
  • Single-season totals:
    • 70 points once
    • 50 points four times
• VsX Peak:
  • Best 7 Seasons:
    • Goals: doesn’t qualify
    • Assists: 39th All Time
    • Points: 128th All Time
  • Best 10 Seasons:
    • Goals:doesn’t qualify
    • Assists: 41st All Time
    • Points: 130th All Time

Bert Olmstead’s Great Teams:

• NHL:
  • Best Skater (by points) on one Final Four (‘61 Leafs)
  • Top 3 Forward (led playoffs in assists) on one Champion (‘56)
  • Top 3 Forward (by points) on two Runners Up (‘51 Canadiens, ‘60)
  • Top 6 Forward (led playoffs in assists) on one Champion (‘57 Canadiens)
  • Top 6 Forward (by points) on one Runner Up (‘59 Leafs)
  • Top 9 Forward (by points) on two Champions (‘53, ‘58 Canadiens) and one Runner Up (‘55 Canadiens)
  • Role Player (by points) on two Runners Up (‘52, ‘54 Canadiens)
  • Injured (missed 2/3rd games) on one Champion (‘62 Leafs)