2023 Hall of Fame class could change the game for future goalies

On Wednesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its inductees for 2023, which included three goaltenders. Two, Tom Barasso and Mike Vernon, had waited for that call for a long time. On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff Live, hosts Frank Seravalli and Mike McKenna discussed whether the goalie-heavy class opened the door for other fringe candidates on the level of Barasso and Vernon.

Frank Seravalli: On Wednesday the 2023 class for the Hockey Hall of Fame was announced, and three goalies were included. It was an unprecedented move that essentially righted the wrongs that existed at the goaltending position, which had been undervalued. Prior to Wednesday, only 13 goalies since 1967 had been inducted into the Hall, and they changed that in a big way. Henrik Lundqvist was a first-year slam dunk, but what did you make of the decisions to admit Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon?

Mike McKenna: I was listening to the announcement from Mike Gartner thinking “this is really happening!” Tom Barrasso was the first name announced, and it was already vindication for a goalie we did not think would get in. Then it got to Mike Vernon, who I have championed for a long time. He has two Cups, a Conn Smythe, five All-Star game appearances, and played his best when it mattered most. This felt like goalie redemption day.

I think us goalies finally drove the point home that, as a position, netminders are undervalued. I can just hear Brian Burke saying “we have to make the goalies happy, let’s get it done this year.” That really validates players who have value similar to someone like Pierre Turgeon, who was rewarded for his consistency over a 19-year career. A goalie is more important than that on some nights. I don’t mean that in a dismissive way to Pierre at all. Great player, but this was a big day for goalies.