Is Joe Pavelski a Hockey Hall of Famer? Sorry, But No

Former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski has had a remarkable career, but it simply wasn't enough to be enshrined among the all-time greats, says Ken Campbell.

While Joe Pavelski hasn't officially announced his retirement yet, he told reporters this was it for him, and he doesn't plan to play in the NHL next season.

By any measure, Pavelski had an outstanding NHL career for the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.

He was a fantastic two-way player, a great leader and a clutch performer. When hockey people talk about guys who "play the game the right way," they're referring to guys like Joe Pavelski. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame should enshrine him in due time.

Does that mean he belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Well, he might end up getting there because there is neither rhyme nor reason to the process that sees 18 people decide players' legacies on a spring afternoon, but you could certainly make the argument that he shouldn't be inducted. While he posted decent numbers, he only finished top-10 in scoring twice and hasn't won a major award, for starters.

Yes, you could argue that inferior players to Pavelski are in the Hall of Fame. But you could also argue that there are players who had better careers who are not there. It's all so subjective. But just because some players in the Hall don't belong there doesn't justify putting more who don't belong.

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