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Every NHL Team's Most Likely Hall of Fame Player
August 16, 2016Every NHL Team's Most Likely Hall of Fame Player
The Hockey Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor for NHLers who have wrapped up their careers. It takes longevity, the greatest of reputations and most impressive statistics to lock up a spot in the elusive club of past players.
With that in mind, it's likely that some of the 30 teams getting ready for the coming year do not have a current player who will make it to the Hall of Fame. Every team has a most likely candidate, however, even if he's only just begun his journey but flashes the kind of potential needed for the nod or is a veteran who has had a respectable if not spectacular career.
All of them will be working on padding their stats this season and in the years to come. So before the action gets started, we'll take a team-by-team look at every NHL franchise's most likely Hall of Fame player.
All statistics via NHL.com unless otherwise noted.
Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf
On the resume
Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf ranks 32nd all time in the NHL with .661 assists per game, according to QuantHockey.com. He's also 85th in average points per game with .942. Both of those rankings are among players with at least 500 points.
He's got a Stanley Cup title from 2007 and is one of the best playmakers in the NHL. He's climbing up the all-time assists rank with 520 in 787 regular-season games and has years to pile up more. He's no slouch as a scorer, either, with 221 putting him 49th among all active players.
Top contenders
Longtime linemate Corey Perry is a certified sniper with a career average of .410 goals per game, per QuantHockey.com. He's also a Stanley Cup champion and has a Hart Trophy to his credit from 2011, when he also won the Maurice Richard Trophy with 50 goals.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Getzlaf is likely to be honored based on his impressive point totals and consistency over his career—as long as he can keep that pace up for a few more seasons into his mid-30s. Perry may also be deserving but perhaps is not as much of a sure thing.
Arizona Coyotes: Shane Doan
On the resume
Shane Doan's value to the Arizona Coyotes franchise is tough to quantify with stats alone, but the team's captain ranks second to Jarome Iginla in games played among active players (1,466) and is 22nd among all-time NHLers. He's four goals shy of 400, a mark only 91 players have reached.
Loyalty doesn't count, but it's likely the 39-year-old leader will finish his career with the same franchise that drafted him—even though it changed cities when the original Winnipeg Jets relocated to the desert.
Top contenders
Technically, Pavel Datsyuk and Chris Pronger are both members of the Coyotes from salary-cap-motivated paper transactions. Both of those guys are bound for the Hall but neither played a game for the Coyotes. Doan is the only active player with a hope at the moment, although there are plenty of talented young guys getting started.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Doan has a shot, although he's no lock. His numbers aren't flashy, and it's doubtful he'll win a Stanley Cup unless he leaves Arizona, but he's likely to be one of less than 100 players to hit the 1,000-point mark by the time he retires.
Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara
On the resume
Zdeno Chara is one of the most feared defenders in NHL history, and he also enjoyed a period of strong offensive contributions that made him a dual-threat D-man. He won the Norris Trophy in 2009 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2011 after leading the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup. He's been a Norris finalist nine times in the past 13 seasons and has 575 points in 1,275 regular-season NHL games.
The 39-year-old is slowing down but continues to be a dominant defender.
Top contenders
Patrice Bergeron is one of the best two-way centers to play the game and has three Selke Trophies and a King Clancy Memorial Trophy to show for it. Selkes, unfortunately, don't have the same appeal as scoring titles.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Chara is a unique physical specimen and a special player who won't likely be ignored by the voters. Only the second non-North American player to win the Norris, Chara has been an inspiration to European players.
Buffalo Sabres: Brian Gionta
On the resume
Buffalo Sabres captain Brian Gionta should crack the 1,000-game mark if he stays healthy this season. He once had 48 goals in a season and scored at least 20 in seven straight years between 2004 and 2011. He's on the downside of his career now, but the 37-year-old has 553 points in 924 games.
Top contenders
Jack Eichel is only a freshman, but he's one to watch in the future and has all the talent to become a Hall of Fame-caliber player.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Unfortunately, Gionta is a good player but not a great one, and there's little hope he'd actually be considered. Anyone else on the roster is a long way from gathering the kind of numbers worthy of entry, but there is hope for the distant future.
Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau
On the resume
It's a small sample size, but the Calgary Flames' Johnny Gaudreau was the NHL's sixth-best scorer last season with 78 points in 79 games—including 30 goals. That was his followup to a rookie year that saw him score 24 goals and 64 points in 80 games. He's definitely on the right track if he can keep producing at a top level and help turn the Flames' fortunes as a franchise around.
Top contenders
Defenseman Mark Giordano has had impressive numbers when healthy over the past three seasons and is an undeniably great leader and captain, but he's a late bloomer with a narrowing window to produce the kind of numbers that would put him on the HOF radar. He'd need to win a Norris Trophy or two and keep producing at a very high level offensively into his 40s to secure a spot.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Not any time soon. Outside of Giordano, who is already 32, the team's best candidates are just getting their NHL careers going. In another decade, it should be a different story.
Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal
On the resume
With big brother Eric Staal gone, Jordan is the Carolina Hurricanes' best bet for the Hall of Fame, but it's by default. Jordan is a solid two-way player but is known more for his defense than anything else. He was a Selke Trophy finalist in 2010 and up in the top 10 in the balloting for the award for most of the early years of his career but hasn't had a sniff since 2013.
If the 27-year-old takes on a bigger role for another handful of seasons, he might be able to increase his odds—but they'd still be long. He's got 171 goals and 391 points in 689 regular-season games so far through 10 seasons.
Top contenders
Goaltender Cam Ward has a Stanley Cup victory to his credit but hasn't been among the top goalies on an annual basis and has not shot at a Hall of Fame nod. Defenseman Justin Faulk is a stellar offensive blueliner who has amassed 118 points in 222 games the past three seasons and 155 in 326 regular-season contests so far in his NHL career.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Not likely barring a stunning jump in Staal's offensive numbers. The Hurricanes have a lot of good young players, but it's more likely one of them becomes the Hall of Fame type before Staal is able to add enough to his own resume.
Chicago Blackhawks: Marian Hossa
On the resume
Marian Hossa is arguably one of the league's most annually underrated players. Not only is he a strong defensive presence on the wing, but he's still a reliable offensive contributor.
Over 18 NHL seasons, he has racked up 499 goals and 1,089 points in 1,236 regular-season games and another 52 goals and 149 points in 201 playoff contests. He's been an important part of three Stanley Cup wins with the Chicago Blackhawks and has been in five Cup Finals with the Hawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings in the past nine years.
Top contenders
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are both great candidates with three Stanley Cup wins, Kane's flashy offensive numbers and Toews' solid blend of offense and Selke-worthy defensive play. So is defenseman Duncan Keith, who logs massive minutes and is among the top 71 all-time in points per game at the position. He also has a couple of Olympic gold medals along with his three Stanley Cups.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Hossa is 37 and has five more seasons left on his contract. If he makes it that long without serious injury troubles and continues to produce in the 50-60 point range every year, he should be a lock as an early-ballot entree.
If his career were to end today, he'd still likely get in. Kane is on the right path but has many years to go, and health isn't guaranteed in this league.
Colorado Avalanche: Jarome Iginla
On the resume
Jarome Iginla is entering the last season of a three-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche but has already put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career with more than 600 goals. He's one of the league's best snipers of all time and may be able to climb into the top 15 among goal scorers and finish with more than 1,500 games under his belt after this season is over. And the 39-year-old may have one more contract coming.
Top contenders
There aren't a lot of contenders just yet on a relatively young Avalanche squad, but Nathan MacKinnon is just 20 and has shown flashes of being a great player. Captain Gabe Landeskog is a strong young leader who also has 100 goals and 246 points in 356 NHL games so far.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Iginla is a Hall of Fame lock with his impressive resume, which seems to be lacking only a Stanley Cup championship. He's a winner on the international stage, and it doesn't hurt that he's one of the league's genuine nice guys. If he retires after this season, it won't be long before he is inducted.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Brandon Saad
On the resume
Brandon Saad is a talented young player starting an upward arc to his career as one of the brightest stars on a very bad team. He was a great secondary scorer and part of two Stanley Cup champion teams in Chicago before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets but is now being used in a key role, which should help boost his numbers.
As of now, the 23-year-old has 83 goals and 179 points in 286 regular-season games.
Top contenders
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has one of the all-time best career save percentages at .917, but his win and shutout totals would have to become much improved over the latter half of his career for the Hall to come calling.
Cornerstone defenseman Seth Jones is just 21 and has been handed the reigns of the Blue Jackets defense. He had 20 points in 41 games with the Jackets after being traded by the Nashville Predators last season, and 40 points a year for the next decade could put him on the radar.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets don't boast much in the way of elite players. They do have some good young prospects and players early in their careers who may yet pan out.
Dallas Stars: Jason Spezza
On the resume
Jason Spezza is a slick center who spent most of his impressive career with the Ottawa Senators, which might be one of the reasons his strong numbers are somewhat overshadowed by his lack of individual and team awards.
The Dallas Stars pivot has a career points-per-game average of .963, according to QuantHockey.com. That ranks him 75th all time, tied with Pavel Datsyuk. The 33-year-old has 301 goals and 812 points in 843 games so far.
Top contenders
Jamie Benn's point-per-game average is already among the top 150 ever to play the game, and he seems to improve that average every season. Another decade in the NHL should allow him time to cement his spot. The same can be said for his setup man in Tyler Seguin, who also has a Stanley Cup title to his credit.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Spezza might get a serious look if he can cross the 1,000-game and 1,000-point thresholds in the coming years. His numbers as of now aren't enough to get him there. Benn looks like he will make a serious case if he continues to challenge for the Art Ross Trophy for the duration of his eight-year extension.
Detroit Red Wings: Henrik Zetterberg
On the resume
Henrik Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy during the only championship run the Detroit Red Wings have enjoyed in his time there, and the captain has also never been a part of a non-playoff team in the Motor City. He has far surpassed the expectations of a seventh-round draft pick with 309 goals and 836 points in 918 regular-season games and another 57 goals and 120 points in 137 playoff games.
His international resume also includes gold medals in the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2006 World Championship.
Top contenders
Now that Pavel Datsyuk is playing in the KHL instead of the NHL, there's no one—especially since Datsyuk's contract is owned by the Arizona Coyotes now. Datsyuk will get in as well, but Zetterberg is the last legend standing in Motor City.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Zetterberg may qualify based on his exceptional reputation and numbers, but he has more time to secure a spot. There's no doubt he has been an impact player but will boost his chances if he can eclipse the 1,000-game mark and lock down 1,000 points. That could take more time than the 35-year-old has got left unless he makes it through the last five years on his current deal and stays relatively healthy.
Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid
On the resume
He hasn't even finished a full year in the NHL yet thanks to an injury in his rookie season, but Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid finished his freshman campaign with a 1.07 points-per-game average—third in the league behind Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn. He had 16 goals and 48 points in 45 games in his debut and looks like he could be the future face of the NHL.
Top contenders
Taylor Hall was a good choice here before the team dealt him to the New Jersey Devils in the offseason. That leaves few truly special players in Edmonton. Jordan Eberle is talented, but is he Hall of Fame-caliber? So far, it doesn't appear so.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
The next Oilers Hall of Fame addition is a long way off. There's no way to predict whether McDavid can live up to expectations or stay healthy enough to achieve his full potential in the league.
Florida Panthers: Jaromir Jagr
On the resume
The Florida Panthers' Jaromir Jagr is a living legend with 749 goals (third all time behind Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe), 1,119 assists (sixth most in the NHL) and 1,868 points in 1,629 regular-season games. He'll likely end his career second only to Gretzky in total points.
He's won five Art Ross Trophies, a Hart Trophy and three Ted Lindsay player-voted MVP awards in two stints in the NHL separated by a successful foray into the KHL. He has 201 points in 208 career playoff games and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and '92. He also won Olympic gold with the Czech Republic from the 1998 Winter Games and a pair of World Championship golds.
Top contenders
Keith Yandle ranks 66th in all-time points per game and should climb into the top 100 scorers by the end of next season. The offensively gifted defenseman is still just 29 and has enough time to work his way past a whole lot of inactives.
Roberto Luongo has played more games than any other active goalie and leads the way in wins and shutouts. His career save percentage is sixth among active netminders and ninth among those who played in the era of its recording.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
The second the 44-year-old Jagr finally retires, he'll be a unanimous choice for the Hall of Fame. The only question is how many years he will continue to play for the Panthers while taking it on a year-by-year basis.
Los Angeles Kings: Anze Kopitar
On the resume
New Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar is piling up the kind of numbers needed for a Hall of Fame nod. The 28-year-old has 243 goals and 684 points in 764 regular-season games and another 20 goals and 64 points in 75 playoff contests. He has a pair of Stanley Cup wins and has won the Selke and Lady Byng trophies. He's one of the best two-way players in the game, and despite the defense-first mentality in L.A., he still produces great offensive numbers.
Top contenders
Reigning Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty might be the team's most talented player, and he has 318 points in 606 regular-season NHL games so far in his impressive career. He's played eight seasons but is still just 26 and has a lot of hockey ahead.
Goalie Jonathan Quick has been a big piece of the Stanley Cup success for the Kings, and his goals-against average and save percentage both rank in the top 20 all time among those who've played in the era where they are tracked.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
It's possible all three will one day be in the Hall. Kopitar could be first if he stays on the current track and plays well into his 30s. Doughty will continue his climb up the ranks, and Quick's status as the best American goaltender ever to suit up in the NHL could solidify his chances.
Minnesota Wild: Ryan Suter
On the resume
The Minnesota Wild's Ryan Suter ranks in the top 100 all time with 402 points in 832 regular-season games. The minute-munching defenseman has never won a Norris Trophy but is a regular in the voting and finished eighth this past season after a career-high 51 points. He's been in the top 10 for five straight seasons. He won silver with the U.S. in the 2010 Winter Olympics and helped his country claim gold at the 2004 World Juniors.
Top contenders
Zach Parise is the only other player of note on the current roster with 299 goals and 619 points in 761 regular-season games in the NHL. The sniper has a long way to go to join the Hall of Fame, however, and at 32, he's running short on time to make it happen.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Suter's reputation is good because of his well-rounded nature, and he should be able to climb past many of the inactive defensemen ahead of him on the all-time points list. If the 31-year-old can stay healthy, he'll have a real shot at the Hall by the time his career ends.
Montreal Canadiens: Shea Weber
On the resume
Shea Weber is a hard-hitting, heavy-shooting defenseman who is consistently among the best blueliners in the league. He has 166 goals (31st all time among defensemen) and 443 points in 763 regular-season games. His .581 points-per-game average is 49th best all time, according to QuantHockey.com.
He has never won a Stanley Cup but has two gold medals for Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. He also has won the Hardest Shot competition at the All-Star festivities two years in a row.
Top contenders
Goaltender Carey Price has proved his value to his team and country with two Olympic gold medals and one of the best seasons ever by a netminder two years ago when he won the Hart Trophy, the Vezina Trophy, the Jennings Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. Andrei Markov is worth mentioning as he approaches 1,000 games and 600 points as a defenseman.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Weber looks like a lock based on his offensive skills and rugged game. He may be slowing down but at 31 with a lot of years left on his contract, but he should have enough time to cross some milestones in games played, goals scored by a blueliner and overall points.
Nashville Predators: P.K. Subban
On the resume
P.K. Subban already has a Norris Trophy win and has amassed 278 points in 434 regular-season games. He's just 27, but the new member of the Nashville Predators has had three straight 50-point seasons and is on the upswing of his career. He was part of the 2014 Sochi Games gold-medal winning Canadian club and should grow as an international player in the future.
Top contenders
Goaltender Pekka Rinne is a long-time starter with eight seasons as the top backstop now on his resume. He's won 29 or more games in six of those and has a very respectable .917 career save percentage.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Subban is a special talent regardless of how people feel about his polarizing personality. Should he continue to produce in a top role for the Preds after a trade from the Montreal Canadiens, the confident young defenseman's point total by the time he hits 1,000 NHL games will be right up there with the top 20 or so all-time blueliners.
New Jersey Devils: Taylor Hall
On the resume
Taylor Hall is the newest member of the New Jersey Devils but already becomes their most talented forward and most likely to make it to the Hall of Fame someday. The path to get there is a long one for the 24-year-old, but he's already got 328 points in 381 games. Now that Hall is free of the Edmonton Oilers, his points-per-game average of .86 is likely to rise and help the first overall pick of the 2010 draft move along nicely.
Top contenders
Michael Cammalleri might be a long shot for the Hall, but he's carved out a nice career for himself with seven 20-goal seasons and two with 30 or more. The winger has 277 goals and 582 points in 779 regular-season games. He also has 32 points in 32 playoff games.
Is there a Hall of Fame Induction on the horizon?
Not for a while, but Hall has the skills and maybe now more than ever the motivation to make a claim on one of those elusive Hall of Fame spots.
New York Islanders: John Tavares
On the resume
John Tavares has been a one-man show for the New York Islanders during his career so far. Despite a lack of depth and talent around him, the captain has managed 207 goals and 471 points in 510 games in the regular season. He has 11 goals and 22 points in 24 playoff games so far.
Tavares ranks right around the top 100 all time in average points per game (.92). The 25-year-old has twice been a Hart Trophy finalist and was a runner-up in the 2014-15 scoring race.
Top contenders
Former Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd has a lot of Hall of Fame qualities. He's a good leader and hard-working player who has won two Stanley Cups. His 466 points in 769 games aren't enough to get real consideration, however.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Barring injury, there's little doubt Tavares will go down as one of the greatest Islanders players ever and secure a spot in the Hall of Fame. He's got a great start on the kind of numbers needed.
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
On the resume
Henrik Lundqvist is the King of New York. The Rangers goaltender has one Vezina Trophy win but has been in the top 10 in the voting every year of his career. His 374 wins are tied for 14th most in NHL history. His career save percentage is a solid .921, and he hasn't been below .920 in seven straight seasons.
Top contenders
Rick Nash is approaching 1,000 games and the 400-goal mark. Heading into the 2016-17 season, he has 393 goals and 733 points in 922 regular-season games.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Lundqvist will get into the Hall of Fame fairly quickly after his NHL career comes to a close and is the team's most likely choice to get in as one of the top netminders of the modern era. The 32-year-old Nash has to stay healthy and productive into his late 30s if he wants to cross the 600-goal plateau—which is what it might take to be considered.
Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson
On the resume
Defenseman Erik Karlsson is only 26 and has played fewer than 500 NHL games but has 100 goals and 385 points in 479 regular-season contests with the Ottawa Senators. He's got a lot of great hockey ahead of him but already has two Norris Trophies (2012 and 2015) and was a finalist last season.
He grew up idolizing Nicklas Lidstrom but already has a higher points-per-game average, according to QuantHockey.com, and is well on his way to setting the points record for a Swedish defenseman if he can play as long as Lidstrom did.
Top contenders
Bobby Ryan had some great seasons with the Anaheim Ducks with four straight 30-goal campaigns to start his career. However, he hasn't been able to sustain that production with the Senators.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Perhaps most impressive about Karlsson's output is how he's done it without a strong supporting cast around him. Unless his career were to end suddenly, it's hard to imagine him not being in the Hall of Fame when it wraps up.
Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux
On the resume
Claude Giroux doesn't have the personal accolades to his credit just yet, but the 28-year-old is one of the league's best centers and has 517 points in 574 games so far. He's a hugely important part of his team. The captain was a Hart Trophy finalist in 2014 and has been in the top five twice. He's great in the faceoff circle and takes important starts in his own zone as well. He's the total package.
Top contenders
There is nobody else on the radar for the Flyers. Defenseman Mark Streit has had a nice career but is not Hall worthy. Shayne Gostisbehere had a memorable shortened rookie season but has a long road ahead in his young NHL career.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Giroux may be one of those players who doesn't get enough credit during his playing days, but once people take a close look at his value and overall numbers, he won't be ignored for long by voters.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby
On the resume
A pair of Stanley Cups, two Art Ross Trophies, a Mark Messier Leadership Award, a Maurice Richard Trophy, three Ted Lindsay Awards, two Hart Trophies and a Conn Smythe are likely enough to land Sidney Crosby a spot in the Hall of Fame—even if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain never stepped on the ice again.
He's been one of the league's best players for a decade, and his numbers—938 points in 707 regular-season games—would be even more impressive if not for concussion troubles.
Top contenders
The Pittsburgh Penguins have another lock in center Evgeni Malkin, who has 760 points in 644 regular-season games. Kris Letang is one of the best defensemen in today's game, and the 29-year-old may be able to climb into the top 30 scorers at the position by the time he's done.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Crosby is a given. If they could induct him now, they would.
San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton
On the resume
Former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton is already 28th all time in scoring with 1,341 points. His 964 assists are 14th best, and the 37-year-old proved last season with a point-per-game campaign that he's got plenty left in the tank. Thornton won the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2005-06 in a year he was traded midseason, and he has six seasons with at least 20 goals and 60 assists.
Top contenders
Longtime Shark Patrick Marleau has played more than 1,400 games, racked up nearly 500 goals and is one of 83 NHLers who has more than 1,000 points.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Thornton and Marleau will likely both be in the Hall down the road, but Thornton will be a fist-ballot inductee.
St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko
On the resume
The St. Louis Blues are more than the collective sum of their parts and don't rely on star power for their success.
However, Vladimir Tarasenko is the kind of player who looks destined for a Hall of Fame career. The slick 24-year-old Russian has 106 goals and 209 points in 259 games so far. He's had goal totals of 37 and 40 in his first two full seasons and is improving constantly.
Top contenders
Alex Pietrangelo is just 26, and his point-per-game average ranks among the top 70 defenders in NHL history. He's entering his seventh season and should be able to play for another decade if healthy. He's already nearly halfway to 1,000 games and on pace for more than 550, which would rank him in the top 50—that's if he plays only to the age of 30.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
It won't be soon with their top candidates still very young with many years ahead, but it would be shocking to see someone like Tarasenko fall short of the Hall of Fame if he continues his torrid scoring pace. Pietrangelo might beat him to the nomination, but Tarasenko is more of a lock.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos
On the resume
Steven Stamkos is the Tampa Bay Lightning captain and one of the best snipers of the post-lockout era in the NHL. Check that—Stamkos is one of the league's top snipers in history. His .548 goals-per-game average ranks second only to Alex Ovechkin among active players and has him in 14th all time, according to QuantHockey.com.
Top contenders
Through two seasons, Nikita Kucherov looks like a stud who could be a perennial All-Star. Victor Hedman is a cornerstone defenseman with strong offensive numbers so far as well.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Stamkos is only 26 and could double his goal total and finish as one of the top scorers of all time before his career is over.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews
On the resume
It makes a serious statement about the state of a franchise when the most likely to make the Hall of Fame is a freshman like 2016 first overall draft pick Auston Matthews, who has yet to play even a preseason NHL contest.
That's the point the Toronto Maple Leafs are at in their rebuild, however, with a 53-year-old head coach in Mike Babcock who will hit the Hall before any of his current players.
Top contenders
Outside of the talented young players just getting started with the sky being the limit, no current roster player has established the foundation for a Hall of Fame career.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
If Matthews lives up to the billing, maybe in about 20 years.
Vancouver Canucks: Henrik and Daniel Sedin
On the resume
Between them, they have more than 1,900 points and 2,300 games, and if you just split those totals right in half, you wouldn't be far off in assigning the right totals to the right twin.
Daniel and Henrik Sedin have each won an Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer. Daniel won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2011, and Henrik won the Hart Trophy in 2010. They've both won Olympic gold and World Championship gold with Team Sweden, and the only thing they're missing is a Stanley Cup.
Top contenders
The only other player with a legitimate shot based on current numbers is goaltender Ryan Miller, a Vezina Trophy winner who ranks 32nd in games played, 21st in all-time wins and 19th in save percentage. He won a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Games and was named the tournament's MVP.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
All three of these guys are likely to be inducted based on their great careers. None have a Stanley Cup, but they have had a major impact on the sport.
Washington Capitals: Alexander Ovechkin
On the resume
Like rival Sidney Crosby, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is a sure bet for the Hall of Fame regardless of what he does from this day forward.
Ovechkin has won the Maurice Richard Trophy six times, has also claimed the Art Ross Trophy once and owns three Hart Trophies. He's also got three Ted Lindsay Awards. The 30-year-old is already the league's 33rd-most prolific goal scorer and has a .626 per-game goalscoring average that ranks only behind Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux among those who have played at least 500 games.
Top contenders
Nicklas Backstrom has the second-highest average assists per game among active players behind Sidney Crosby and is one of the NHL's best playmakers. If he can keep his points-per-game average up and crosses the 1,000-game threshold, he could find his way into the Hall.
Is there a Hall of Fame induction on the horizon?
Definitely. Ovechkin is a lock, and Backstrom may be right behind him.
Winnipeg Jets: Dustin Byfuglien
On the resume
Dustin Byfuglien is an extremely unique defenseman who doubles as a forward. He's got a .224 goals-per-game average over his career, which ranks him 13th on the all-time list. That will fluctuate, but as an average of his production with a handful or more years remaining in his career, it bodes well for him hitting the 300 mark and finishing in the top five or 10.
Top contenders
Mark Scheifele is a great young player who had a breakout season last year—his second full season in the NHL. He looks like a potential star with Hall of Fame potential, but there are many hurdles to clear first.
Is There a Hall of Fame Induction on the horizon?
If Byfuglien hits 300 goals—an average of around 20 goals per season for another five years—the big man will rank right up there with the top blue-line snipers in NHL history. That should get him real consideration.