The Hockey News’s Connor Eargood ranked his top 5 Red Wings goaltenders today, and I stand by the assertion that #2 should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame, even if that means making it the “Hall of Very Good”:
2. Chris Osgood: If he played for any other team, maybe Osgood would be a Hall of Famer. He ranks 13th all time with 401 wins, 317 of which came with Detroit ranking second in franchise history. His three Stanley Cup rings also tie for 13th most among goaltenders. But to most people looking back, the perception is that Osgood was carried by those ‘90s and ‘00s Red Wings teams, chock full of inductees themselves.
Even if Osgood had support from his teammates, he still delivered. He was one of the most consistent, winning goaltenders Detroit has ever had.
Don’t take it from me. From a 2009 ESPN article by Pierre LeBrun, take it from former GM Ken Holland. “First of all, there’s a perception that we can put anybody in our net,” Holland told LeBrun. “We’ve always had high-profile talent. And through the years, we’ve always outshot the other team, so our goalie is in a position to only be responsible for the loss; he’s not responsible for the win. I think Dominik Hasek had a hard time when he first got here, I think Curtis Joseph had a hard time with it, because we win because of our skaters and we lose because of our goalie. It’s the perception.”
Osgood delivered, logging 10 seasons with 20 wins or more, tied only with Terry Sawchuk in franchise history. He also owns the record for consecutive games without a loss, refusing to lose in 21 straight contests in early 1996.
Throughout the course of his career, Osgood’s highs weren’t quite as high as many contemporaries — Osgood won no Vezinas, topping out at second place in his elite ‘95-’96 season. He got waived to bring in Hasek. He struggled in his only two seasons away from Detroit. Playing with so many Red Wing legends made his life incredibly easier. But, Osgood always delivered.
Continued; Osgood may never get the call from the Hockey Hall of Fame, but that’s okay. He has three Stanley Cup rings to drown his sorrows with.
