Doesn’t Belong

The Worst 25 Skaters in the Hockey Hall of Fame

Every NHL fan knows there are some NHL players who shouldn’t be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Over the years, some Hall of Famers have been announced and fans have been, like, “What?” incredulous that the player could be inducted, especially ahead of their favourite.

On the other hand, there are players who fans clamour for their induction and they never seem to make it.

We’ll get to the egregious oversights in another list. In this list we count down the absolute worst skaters. (We’ll do a separate list of goalies.)

Does George Armstrong Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

George Armstrong was the Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and won some Cups. (4, to be precise.) But he was never an offensive star.

Was he a good enough defensive forward that he belongs in the Hall of Fame? We don’t know, we weren’t there. But people say that about his teammates Dave Keon and Bob Pulford. Armstrong wasn’t the offensive player they were. And how many “All Time Great” defensive forwards are we willing to put on the 1960s Leafts?

Listen to us discuss George Armstrong’s Hall of Fame case here:

Does Marc Tardif Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Marc Tardif was one of the best players in WHA history, winning two MVP awards and dominating the regular season. He also won a Championship.

His NHL career was less successful, though he did win two Stanley Cups.

So, does Marc Tardif belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Real Cloutier Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Real Cloutier was one of the WHA’s greatest stars but his NHL career was cut short by injuries.

Is his remarkable WHA career enough to get him in the Hall of Fame?

Listen to us talk about Real Cloutier’s Hall of Fame case here:

Does Gerry Cheevers Belong in the Hockey hall of Fame?

Gerry Cheevers was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame only five years after he retired. And yet he has one of the weakest resumes of any Hall of Fame goalie, and that resume is significantly weaker than some goalies who are not in the Hall of Fame.

Cheevers was never an end-of-season All Star (1st or 2nd Team) in the NHL, he never won an award and he never led the NHL in any regular season statistical category. His regular achievements all happened in the WHA.

However, he went to four Stanley Cup finals and won two Cups. And while he was in the WHA, he was one of the very best goalies in the league.

So, does Gerry Cheevers belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Listen to us discuss his case here:

Does Leo Boivin Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

With the exception of a strong playoff run in 1957, Leo Boivin had a decent career that sure doesn’t look like a Hall of Fame one.

He never won an individual award or the Stanley Cup and he only ever finished Top 5 in Norris voting once. (And he played most of his career during the Norris-trophy era.)

He is among the most controversial Hockey Hall of Fame inductees ever. And so in this episode we ask whether or not Leo Boivin belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Listen to us talk about his Hall of Fame case here:

Does Herbie Lewis Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Herbie Lewis led the playoffs in Goals twice. So, as the second old timer inducted by the Veteran’s Committee, it makes some sense he was admitted to the Hall of Fame.

But did he do enough else to really belong? He was never really a regular season star.

In this episode, we discuss Herbie Lewis’ Hockey Hall of Fame case:

Why is Bob Pulford in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Bob Pulford is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If you’re a Leafs fan, like one of us, you probably never asked “why?”

Pulford led the playoffs in assists when the Leafs last one a Stanley Cup. He also led the league in Short-Handed goals three times. That’s basically his case.

Don’t believe us? Read on. Or listen to us talk about Bob Pulford’s Hall of Fame case here:

Why is Woody Dumart in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Woody Dumart was a member of the famed Kraut Line. He won 2 Stanley Cups as a member of the Bruins.

But that’s basically it. He had one very good offensive season and the only reason he may have been inducted is he played a very long time.

Why is Woody Dumart in the Hockey Hall of Fame? We discuss here:

Why is Edgar Laprade in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

There are few more controversial inductees than New York Rangers centre Edgar Laprade.

If you don’t know about the controversy, it’s because Laprade was inducted in the early 1990s, before internet hockey Hall of Fame discussion really took off.

But, make no mistake, Laprade’s case is slight. (To put it mildly.) We really don’t know why he’s in.

If you know, please comment below.

And listen to us try to figure out why Laprade is in the Hockey Hall of Fame here: