Automatic Hall of Fame selections, the ones nobody can quibble with, are few and far between. The vast majority of candidates can be debated, pro and con, far into the night. Here, then, are the arguments for and against Andy Moog's induction. After voting for Moog's candidacy, we'll take you to the next Hall of Fame case:

Criteria: Goaltenders
No one could claim that statistics -- save percentage, goals-against average -- are for Hall of Fame goaltending losers. But more than anything it's victories, both regular-season and postseason, which ultimately define status as this position more than any other. Grant Fuhr, a surefire Hall inductee, posted a sub 3.00 goals-against-average in only four of his 21 regular seasons and finished with a hardly-inspiring .887 career save percentage. Yet Fuhr's reputation as a "money" goalie, someone to be counted on to produce the jaw-dropping save at the most harrowing moment, transformed him into an all-time great. He's one of only six men at the postion to win 400 regular-season games, and saved his brightest moments for the playoffs, going 92-50.

Like a quarterback winning a Super Bowl (Joe Montana, say) or the ace of a pitching staff (Randy Johnson, as a for instance), a goalie with at least one Stanley Cup ring takes on an aura he lacked before. Prime examples are Gerry Cheevers, with two Cup wins, and Billy Smith, with four. It is the final confirmation, the official stamp, of deity-like status.

Andy Moog Status: Retired, last active season 1997-98. Played 18 years, for Edmonton, Boston, Dallas and Montreal.
Pros Currently ninth in all-time wins at 372 (although Ed Belfour and Tom Barrasso are poised to pass him). Has three Stanley Cup rings in his display case. Owns a 68-57 all-time playoff win-loss record. Backstopped the 1989-90 Bruins to the Cup final, where Boston was trumped 4-1 by his former team, the Edmonton Oilers.	Cons Pales in flamboyance and athleticism when compared to his one-time Oiler teammate Grant Fuhr, a surefire Hall of Famer, and the unparalelled numbers of, say, a Patrick Roy. Was a starter for only one Cup victory while in Edmonton. Bypassed without much of a mention on first opportunity -- three seasons following retirement -- to be inducted into the Hall.
The Skinny There's really no difference between Moog and, say, Mike Vernon, to name another goaltender of his era. With Fuhr and Hasek -- to name but two -- upcoming for voting eligibility, it could be a bit of a wait for Moog.