Does Guy Carbonneau Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Guy Carbonneau was inducted in 2019. His induction is virtually unprecedented as Carbonneau has probably the worst offensive stats of any forward inducted to the HOF to have played since the league expanded in 1968. (Bob Gainey would be the only other forward in the Hall with comparable offensive numbers.)

Of course, Carbonneau is not in because of his offense. He’s in because of his three Selke trophies and numerous Top 5 Selke voting finishes.

So, does he belong? And what kind of precedent does he set for the Hall of Fame going forward? Listen to us talk about him here:

Carbonneau’s stats:

Career:

• 1980-2000; 19 seasons, 9 quality [by standard of .5 PPG]
• 260G, 403A for 663P, +186 in 1318 games; 44.4 PS; 14:27 ATOI (since 1998)
• Draft: Drafted 44th overall in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, Carbonneau is
  • 15th in Goals
  • 14th in Assists
  • 14th in Points
  • 8th in Plus/Minus
  • 30th in Point Shares
  • 5th in Games
• Era: Of the 10 players to play in at least 1,312 games (16 seasons) between 1980 and 2002, Carbonneau is
  • 9th (2nd last) in Goals
  • 8th in GPG
  • Last in Assists
  • Last in APG
  • Last in Points
  • Last in PPG
  • 7th in Plus/Minus
  • Last in Offensive Point Shares
  • 6th in Defensive Point Shares (2nd forward)
  • Last in Point Shares
• 82-game average: 16G, 25A for 41P, +12
• 3-year peak (1988-91): 24G, 33A for 57P, +21
• No possession stats unfortunately
• Playoffs: 38G, 55A for 93P, +5 in 231 games (7th All Time)
• Adjusted: 229G (-31), 358A (-45) for 587P (-76)
• Adjusted 82-game average: 14G, 22A for 37P
• Obviously Carbonneau is nowhere near any adjusted PG leaderboards
• Trades:
  • Traded at 34 for Jim Montgomery (35)
  • Traded at 35 for Paul “Not Neal” Broten (nearly 30).

Accomplishments:

• Selke (‘88, ‘89, ‘92)
• Top 5 in Selke voting a further six times
• Top 10 in Plus/Minus once
• Scored 25 goals once, 20 goals five times
• Scored 50 points five times

Great Teams:

• NHL:
  • Top 6 Forward on one Runner Up (‘00 Stars)
  • Top 6 Forward (by points) on one Champion (‘86 Canadiens) and two Final Fours (‘84, ‘87 Canadiens)
  • Top 9 Forward (but injured) on one Champion (‘99 Stars)
  • Top 9 Forward (by points) on one Champion (‘93 Canadiens), one Runner Up (‘89 Canadiens) and one Final Four (‘98 Stars)
• No international success??? (Presumably because he was in the playoffs EVERY year)