On November 13, the Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed seven new inductees into its 2023 class. The inductees include Quebec natives Pierre Turgeon, Caroline Ouellette, and Pierre Lacroix. Additionally, former goalies Henrik Lundqvist, Mike Vernon, and Tom Barrasso have been honored with induction. Coach Ken Hitchcock also joins this esteemed group. Among these, Henrik Lundqvist, the ex-New York Rangers goalie, stands out, particularly because he is the only one among the three celebrated goalies not to have won the Stanley Cup.
The comparison between Carey Price and Lundqvist, the "Blue Shirts" netminder, sparks an intriguing debate. First, let's appreciate the three Quebec inductees, especially Caroline Ouellette, whose significant contributions to women's hockey and the sport in general cannot be overstated. She remains a key figure in women's hockey globally and is seen as a pioneer, instrumental in the formation of the PWHL. In her induction speech, Ouellette expressed gratitude to the women who fought for a better future and her belief in the PWHL's role in advancing women's hockey worldwide.
- **Lundqvist**: 887 games played, 459 wins, 310 losses, 2.43 goals against average (GAA), .913 save percentage.
- **Price**: 712 games played, 361 wins, 261 losses, 2.51 GAA, .917 save percentage.
Neither goalie has led their team to Stanley Cup glory, leading some, like journalist Bertrand Raymond, to question Price's merit for Hall of Fame consideration.
As the NHL expands to 32 teams, more players, including goalies, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame without having won the Stanley Cup. This scenario differs significantly from the era of Henri Richard, with his 11 Stanley Cup wins—a record unlikely to be matched.
In my view, Carey Price's entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame seems inevitable, possibly following his retirement.
