Debating the Hockey Hall of Fame case for Joe Pavelski, John Tavares and other active stars

The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome its class of 2023 this Saturday; however, I am more interested in looking ahead to the future. I enjoy studying the Hall of Fame candidacy of active players. Over the years, I have written several columns exploring this topic, including ones during the 2019 offseason, another from later that year, and one from 2021, in addition to one that re-evaluated a few cases last year. This time, we’re considering six new names, some based on suggestions from my readers. To ensure I am on the right track with my own assessments, I will be checking in with Paul Pidutti’s Adjusted Hockey, an excellent system that evaluates a player’s Hall qualifications. Let’s dive into this with six names, starting with a fan favorite.

Joe Pavelski is a player who is easy to root for, which makes his Hall of Fame debate complex. He defied the odds as a seventh-round pick who became a star, had a productive season at 37, and is now a top OGWAC (Old Guy With A Career). He boasts over 1,000 career points and 450 goals, while receiving Selke Trophy votes almost every year. Despite this, the absence of any major awards or prolonged dominance as the best player on his team could hinder his chances. Nevertheless, his career falls within the “Only Marginally More Alive Puck Era,” providing him favorable adjusted statistics. Although he falls just short of the Adjusted Hockey forward qualification score of 250, reaching 500 goals or clinching a Conn Smythe Trophy or Cup win may solidify his case for the Hall of Fame.

Next on our list is Kris Letang, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ mainstay defenseman, with an impressive 18-year career. While Letang has amassed nearly 700 points and is a two-time second-team All-Star, he lacks major awards and has never been the best player on his Stanley Cup-winning team. However, he holds a convincing case similar to Hall of Famer Sergei Zubov, and his adjusted hockey score of 286 is just above the defenseman “qualified” cutoff of 284. Although I am tentative about Letang’s induction, his longstanding tenure with one team could sway voters in his favor.

Lastly, we consider John Tavares, a Maple Leafs player with a compelling career but a divisive case for the Hall of Fame. Tavares is inching towards 1,000 points and has a strong chance to reach 500 goals, making him a first-team All-Star and a two-time Hart Trophy finalist. However, his lack of playoff success and leaving fans wanting more may hinder his case. Despite being similar to Hall of Famers like Mike Modano and Sergei Fedorov, Tavares may face skepticism due to his team’s underperformances. As a result, his induction remains on the edge.

Re-Evaluate his chances in any given year with other inductees.

Reference

Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.