12 Active Players Who Are No-Brainer Eventual Hockey Hall of Famers
By (Featured Columnist) on November 7, 2011
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Professional hockey players are the envy of many of us since they have the privilege of playing the game we all love for a living.
We all grew up dreaming of scoring the decisive goal in a game seven, skating in front of our hometown fans and playing among our childhood heroes. Such a small percent actually see these aspirations materialize into a real life occurrence, while the rest of us are left to our daydreams.
From this already elite class of individuals who can call themselves NHLers an even more prestigious group is conceived. Those who not only make it to the premiere hockey league, but also rise to the top—the best of the best. They become hockey Hall of Famers.
Although we may not be "lacing' em up" ourselves, we are still fortunate enough to be able to watch several active future hall of famers play the game we cherish.
Led by Martin Brodeur and Nicklas Lidstrom, here are 12 active players who will undoubtedly become enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
New Jersey Devils: Martin Brodeur
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If there is anything for a goalie to accomplish, Martin Brodeur has done it. So consider Martin Brodeur to be the best goalie to ever play the game.
He's the all-time leader in games played, wins, and shutouts, and holds numerous other records stretching from the regular season and postseason.
He also has plenty of hardware to his name, including, four Vezina Trophies, four William M. Jennings Trophies, three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals and the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.
Anaheim Ducks: Teemu Selanne
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Even past 40 years old, the Finnish Flash has shown no signs of slowing down.
Teemu Selanne has scored over 1,350 points in less than 1,300 games as both a playmaker and a finisher.
On his way to winning the 1992-93 Calder Memorial Trophy, he scored 76 goals and tallied 132 points which are both rookie records.
He's either had or tied for the most goals in a season three times, won a Stanley Cup in 2007 and was the NHL All-Star Game in 1998.
Detroit Red Wings: Nicklas Lidstrom
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Niklas Lidstrom is one of the most talented players anyone will ever see. He's one of the best defensemen to ever play the game, yet has the scoring output of a top six forward.
Lidstrom became the first European-born captain to raise Lord Stanley's Cup when he did it for the fourth time in 2008. In his career he's won seven James Norris Memorial Trophies, a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002 and has been a part of 12 NHL All-Star games.
Additionally, Lidstrom is sixth all-time in points and fifth in plus-minus among defensemen.
Philadelphia Flyers: Jaromir Jagr
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Jaromir Jagr just couldn't get enough of the NHL. He's come back for another go-round.
The Czech forward now has over 1,600 career points, which puts him in the top ten all-time.
Jagr has quite the hockey resume. He was a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1991-1992), was named to the NHL All-Rookie team in 1991 and an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1998.
Additionally, Jagr led the league in scoring five times (1995, 1998-2001) and was a Lester B. Pearson Award winner in 1999, 2000 and 2006, which is given to an NHL player who is voted as being most outstanding by fellow players.
San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton
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One the way to amassing more than 1,000 career points, Joe Thornton has proven he can get it done on both sides of the ice as a gritty, two-way player and an exceptional leader.
Joe Thornton was at his peak during the 2005-2006 when was awarded the Art Ross Trophy as he lead the league in points and the Hart Memorial as the league's MVP.
The only piece to the puzzle missing for Thornton is a Stanley Cup.
Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla
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Another tenured captain still in search of a Stanley Cup is Jarome Iginla. Iginla will do anything needed to secure a victory—including dropping the gloves.
He's played just about his entire career without a true playmaking center. In spite of that, he's won the Art Ross Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy twice. Currently, he is one of five active players with at least 1,000 points.
Philadelphia Flyers: Chris Pronger
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Chris Pronger is third among active defenseman in points, but has proven he can hurt the opposition in a variety of ways.
He's played the power play and the penalty kill throughout his career. Most of all, he has punished anyone that has tried to cross his blue line. His impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.
Pronger's list of achievements include a James Norris Trophy, a Hart Memorial Trophy and a Stanley Cup.
Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara
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Now that Zdeno Chara has a Stanley Cup, he may have a new career goal—getting into the hall of fame.
In some ways, Chara has revolutionized the game. Chara has shown big guys can keep up with the speed and the tempo of today's game.
Chances are, Tyler Myers and recently drafted Jamie Oleksiak grew up watching Chara play and was a means of inspiration.
Over his career, Chara is a plus-116, has totaled 407 points and 1,385 PIM.
Washington Capitals: Alexander Ovechkin
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Although he is younger than most of the other players on this list, Alexander Ovechkin has already accomplished as much, if not more, than the other names on this list.
In under 500 games, Ovechkin has over 300 goals and 300 assists . Ovechkin has reached the 100-point plateau in four of his six seasons.
He's won the Calder Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Trophy.
The only thing Ovie has left to accomplish is proving he and his team can get it done in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby
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Like Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby comes into this list younger than the other players on it because he has already accomplished so much.
In 412 games, Crosby has netted 215 goals and 357 assists for a total of 572 points.
Additionally, he has won a Stanley Cup, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Trophy.
The only thing that could keep 'Sid the Kid' from the hall of fame is his battle with concussion symptoms. For the betterment of the league, let's hope that doesn't happen.
New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk
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Ilya Kovalchuk is one of the most gifted offensive players in the game today.
He has nearly a point per game over his career. He won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the 2003-2004 season and is one of the most dangerous players in the game.
He's trying to bounce back from what was the worst season of his career last year and get back to his Hall of Fame-worthy pace of production.
Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson
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Daniel Alfredsson has been the captain and face of the Ottawa Senators franchise for more than a decade, now. He has almost averaged a point per game in his career and is third all-time leading scorer among Swedish born players.
He won the Calder Memorial for the 1995-1996 season and has hasn't looked back since then. Unfortunately, Alfredsson joins Iginla and Thornton as deserving captains who have yet to capture a Stanley Cup championship.
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