If Tim Thomas isn't one then no, Vas is not a HOF'er already
Tim Thomas is one to me because I think 5 seasons (mainly consecutive) of extraordinary play is enough. Thomas mostly did that.
2 of his seasons were all time great seasons, he won 2 Vezinas, and he did it all past the age of 33 to give his story some extra sizzle. He had a top 5 Hart nod. He had a staggering Conn Smythe Cup winning run. His play against Carolina two years prior would have won the series for most teams. He should absolutely be a Hall of Famer. Just because it was a short run doesn’t make it any less noteworthy.
But Vasilevskiy is already worthy of being one because:
1. He has a Vezina and pending this seasons’ results, he could be a Vezina finalist for the 5th season in a row. He has also led the league in Wins 5 consecutive seasons. He has clearly been top 1-3 at his position for a handful of years already.
2. He has 2 Cups and he was elite in back to back runs. He has the Conn Smythe. If he repeats any of his play during these current playoffs, his case has to be a lock for the few remaining people holding out.
3. His play in close out games is absolutely nuts. He has a shutout in the closing game in his last 5 series. That is unbelievable. The 2 series before those saw him let up 1 goal and then 2 goals. He is absolute money in the playoffs and no matter how deep and talented Tampa Bay is and how much COVID may or may not play some role, he has backstopped his team into a position where they have not lost a series in over 3 years!
4. I’m being generous with Thomas’ 2009-2010 season and probably most of his career. I actually understand the people who want to boil his career down to just 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.
Thomas is worthy in my eyes because I prefer and remember more when someone is electric for a short time rather than someone playing 10-20 years at merely a good to very good level.
Vasi has absolutely already made his case and it’s far more convincing.