Hockey followers like to argue, particularly in terms of their favourite gamers. Every year, the Hockey Corridor of Fame (HHOF) inducts a number of new members, sparking debates throughout the hockey world in regards to the deserves of sure gamers all through their careers.
This text goes to dive into the easiest NHL gamers who should not within the Hockey Corridor of Fame (solely amongst eligible gamers after all), with just a few bonus non-NHLers who the choice committee ought to completely embrace for his or her careers and contributions to the Ladies’s sport as nicely.
Whether or not you’re a “Corridor of Very Good” kind fan who needs to see tons of names added to the Corridor, otherwise you’re a “Small Corridor” purist who thinks solely the best possible ought to make it in annually (even when which means just one or two gamers are inducted some years), I believe there are just a few eligible gamers not presently within the corridor that everybody ought to be capable of agree on.
With all that out of the way in which, let’s dive in!
Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk is eligible to be inducted into the HHOF this yr for the primary time, and he needs to be an ideal take a look at for the way a lot sway the “Russian Issue” may have over the Corridor of Fame’s choice committee. We’ve seen this play a think about current NHL drafts and Datsyuk shall be an ideal take a look at right here just because his profession screams “Corridor of Famer” primarily based on benefit, that means the consequences of the Russian Issue are the one factor that might preserve him from being chosen.
Datsyuk is a four-time winner of the NHL’s Girl Byng Memorial Trophy given to the participant who finest demonstrates a mix of sportsmanship and talent, ending his profession with simply 228 penalty minutes in 963 video games performed. He additionally received the Frank J. Selke Trophy 3 times because the league’s finest defensive ahead.
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He received two Stanley Cups as an integral member of the Detroit Pink Wings, was named to an end-of-season All-Star crew 3 times, was top-10 within the league for factors in three seasons, and is a member of the Triple-Gold Membership as a winner of the NHL’s Stanley Cup, an Olympic Gold Medal, and an IIHF World Championship Medal.
Do you want another causes?
Datsyuk’s talent with the puck was unmatched in his day, making defenders and goalies look ridiculous much more usually than anybody else might. His dekes virtually begged to be made into YouTube compilations the place a brand new technology of followers and gamers have been wowed by his otherworldly deking capacity.
Alex Mogilny
Alex Mogilny might be probably the most certified participant to be neglected of the Corridor of Fame, being handed over in every of the primary 14 years of his eligibility. Whereas there’s no purpose to anticipate something to vary on that entrance, he’s completely worthy of being inducted, each for his on-ice play, and for the affect that his presence within the NHL made.
To make an extended story brief, Mogilny was the primary younger star from the Soviet Union to defect from the USSR and be part of the NHL in North America. His function in tearing down the Iron Curtain shouldn’t be forgotten regardless of the brand new one being constructed and is almost price being inducted merely for the way in which it opened up the trail to the NHL for a lot of gamers who would have by no means thought it potential.
Setting that apart, Mogilny continues to be a hall-of-famer primarily based on his taking part in profession, with the forty ninth highest factors per sport price in NHL historical past (1.042), the 57th most objectives in NHL historical past (473), to not point out his 76-goal season again in 1992-93, the fifth-most objectives ever scored in a single season. Mogilny can be a member of the triple gold membership, profitable Olympic Gold in 1988, World Championship Gold in 1989 and the Stanley Cup in 2000.
Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Kovalchuk is one other participant in peril of lacking out on his first yr of eligibility because of geopolitical battle. Nevertheless, he’s a transparent candidate in my eyes primarily based on benefit.
Kovalchuk scored 40 or extra objectives in six consecutive seasons from the 2003-04 season till 2009-10. He received the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy within the 2003-04 season and was top-10 within the NHL in objectives eight instances. Kovalchuk received Gold on the World Championships twice, on the World Junior Championship as soon as, and on the Olympics as soon as.
If you need uncooked numbers, he’s obtained these too. Kovalchuk scored 443 objectives within the NHL, and sits at thirty eighth all-time in objectives per sport (0.478), above Sidney Crosby, Teemu Selanne, Steve Yzerman, and extra NHL legends. He would have scored much more objectives within the NHL had he not spent as a lot time taking part in within the KHL the place he sits because the Twentieth-highest scorer in league historical past and stands as one in all simply six KHL gamers to complete their careers above a point-per-game.
Henrik Zetterberg
What are we doing right here? Whereas he might not have probably the most spectacular resumé in terms of awards and different accolades, Henrik Zetterberg is a no-doubt Corridor of Fame caliber participant each day of the week. The very best purpose I can consider that he hasn’t made the Corridor of Fame but is that the arbitrary standards used to guage “greatness” hasn’t but lined up in his favor, although I’m assured it should ultimately.
Zetterberg was one of many league’s finest two-way forwards for a lot of his profession, whilst a power again harm slowed him down in the direction of the top. Gaudy offensive numbers certain assist with one’s Corridor of Fame case, however Zetterberg’s repute for professionalism, his unstoppable work ethic, and dedication to be a constructive issue for the Detroit Pink Wings it doesn’t matter what harm he was taking part in by needs to be greater than sufficient to earn him a spot. At age 36, Zetterberg scored 68 factors in 82 video games on a very dangerous Pink Wings crew. The crew completed with a mixed +/- complete of -187 whereas Zetterberg himself maintained a +15 ranking.
Don’t overlook, Zetterberg scored 960 factors within the NHL and earned votes for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 10 of his 15 seasons. He’s additionally a member of the triple gold membership, with the Pink Wings’ 2008 Stanley Cup victory sealing his membership. That is no charity case for a pleasant man who performed by a troublesome harm, this is among the league’s greats who set the bar for work ethic throughout the league and had a outstanding profession of his personal.
Patrick Marleau
Patrick Marleau is an attention-grabbing case in HHOF discussions, with the dialog turning to the worth of longevity versus dominance. Marleau was a wonderful NHL participant for many of his 23-year NHL profession, scoring 40+ factors 18 instances. Nevertheless, he solely eclipsed 60 factors on seven events.
Marleau is the NHL’s all-time chief in video games performed, surpassing the legendary Gordie Howe shortly earlier than retiring, however does that robotically make him a robust sufficient participant to crack the Corridor of Fame or is it merely a testomony to developments in coaching and diet in addition to his ache tolerance or dedication?
On the finish of the day, he’s twenty fourth all-time in objectives, and everybody who has scored greater than that’s both already within the Corridor or is a shoe-in as soon as they retire (Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin). The final word query is that if his stats are spectacular sufficient or if they’re by some means price much less as a result of he took extra video games than anybody else within the historical past of the league to succeed in them?
I’m within the former camp in the mean time and I believe it’s foolish to by some means de-value his ultimate numbers as a result of he performed so many video games. Loads of different gamers would like to have performed extra video games if they may have stored up, however no person might sustain fairly like Marleau did. Certain, I see the argument that he was very not often among the many best gamers within the league at any given time, however I believe the magnitude of his career-long achievements will ultimately be not possible to disregard and he’ll make it in ultimately.
Sergei Gonchar
Sergei Gonchar rounds out our listing of Russian gamers who could be in severe consideration for the Corridor of Fame if not for Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine. Gonchar’s profession is a bit beneath appreciated now, which is becoming provided that was the story of his taking part in profession as nicely. Life might be powerful as an ideal two-way defender taking part in similtaneously Nicklas Lidstrom, who snatched up seven Norris Trophies because the league’s finest defender in addition to 9 seasons as a top-six vote-getter. Gonchar was within the top-nine for Norris votes seven instances, touchdown himself within the top-five on the finish of 4 separate seasons.
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He was definitely among the finest defensemen within the sport from roughly 1999-2008, and he received the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. Gonchar performed a ton of significant video games as nicely, with 141 NHL playoff video games to his title. He scored 90 factors within the playoffs, which ties him for the Twentieth most by a defenseman in NHL historical past, and his 811 common season factors are the 18th most by a defender in NHL historical past as nicely.
On benefit, it’s powerful to argue he wasn’t among the finest defender’s of his period, even among the finest of all time, although I perceive why the HHOF would overlook his case for now given how Russia has politicized their hockey success over time.
Shea Weber
Shea Weber’s shall be one other attention-grabbing case, as he completed his profession with simply 589 factors in 1,038 video games performed and by no means received a Norris Trophy because the league’s finest defensive participant. Nevertheless, Weber was the Norris runner-up in back-to-back years, dropping to Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson.
Weber was by no means a dominant offensive participant, however his bodily sport was elite and he was a feared defensive presence for a few years within the NHL. He earned Norris votes in 10 consecutive seasons by his prime, touchdown within the top-five 5 instances and even incomes Hart Trophy votes (for the league’s most respected participant) in 5 seasons.
On condition that it’s the Hockey Corridor of Fame and never the NHL Corridor of Fame, it’s additionally price mentioning that he was an necessary member of Canada’s groups that received Olympic Gold in 2010 and 2014, in addition to their World Cup profitable crew in 2016. Weber additionally received Gold with Canada at each the World Championships (2007) and the World Junior Championship (2005) as nicely. The massive query is that if his repute and defensive presence shall be sufficient for him to crack the Corridor or will his lack of {hardware} and counting stats stop him?
Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a Corridor of Famer. He’s 14th all time in wins (11 of the fellows with extra wins are within the Corridor already), received the Vezina Trophy because the league’s finest goaltender in 2009-10 on a mediocre Buffalo Sabres crew, and had the kind of air to him in his prime the place you puzzled how anybody would ever rating on him as soon as he obtained going.
Miller spent most of his prime as one of many NHL’s finest goalies on a foul Sabres crew that solely made the playoffs 4 instances in his 11-year stint in Buffalo. He completed his time with the Sabres with a save proportion (SV%) of .916% throughout 540 video games performed which is outstanding given the crew’s lack of total success.
His best accomplishment was his efficiency within the 2009-10 season the place he received 41 video games, had a .939 SV% and saved 36.2 objectives above common in keeping with Hockey Reference. Miller additionally positioned fourth in Hart Trophy voting on the finish of that season, cementing it as among the finest seasons of goaltending within the NHL for the reason that lockout. It was simply previous this season’s midway level that Miller led Staff USA to a Silver medal on the 2010 Olympics the place he regarded almost unbeatable for many of the event earlier than dropping to Canada in time beyond regulation of the Gold Medal sport.
On the finish of his profession, Miller had 4 seasons within the NHL’s top-10 for save proportion, seven years within the top-10 for saves, 5 for video games performed, 4 for wins, and 5 for shutouts. He was definitely one of many easiest goaltenders of the post-lockout NHL and I believe he deserves a spot within the Corridor of Fame.
Curtis Joseph
Curtis Joseph (CuJo) is kind of just like the Patrick Marleau of goaltenders in terms of his Corridor of Fame candidacy. He’s seventh all time in wins with 454, and there’s just one different goalie to succeed in 400+ NHL wins who isn’t within the Corridor, Chris Osgood with 401. Joseph was top-five in Vezina voting 5 instances, even touchdown at fourth in Hart Trophy voting within the 1998-99 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He’s obtained a little bit of an uphill battle given the truth that he was by no means the only finest goalie within the league and doesn’t have a lot in his trophy case, however there’s little doubt that CuJo is among the NHL’s best goalies over the course of his profession. Very similar to Marleau, this comes right down to the way you worth accrued stats once they’re gathered over a really lengthy profession, and I are likely to suppose that the goalie with the seventh most wins within the historical past of the NHL deserves a spot within the Corridor of Fame.
Chris Osgood
Chris Osgood was an ideal NHL goalie for many of his profession, although I’m unsure the peaks are excessive sufficient for him to drive his approach into the Corridor of Fame. He solely obtained Vezina votes 4 instances, highlighted by him being the runner-up within the 1995-96 season. Osgood does have a fairly good trophy case to look again on, with three Stanley Cup victories, all coming with the Detroit Pink Wings, and two William M. Jennings Trophies for being a goalie on the crew that allowed the fewest objectives within the NHL.
Osgood had a few of his finest moments within the playoffs which ought to assist his case. He was glorious in Detroit’s 1998 playoff run, profitable 16 video games with a .918 SV% to win the Cup, and he was borderline unbeatable of their 2008 Cup run the place he had a .930 SV% and a objectives in opposition to common (GAA) of 1.55. He then adopted that up with a .926 SV% and a 2.01 GAA within the 2009 playoffs the place the Pink Wings in the end misplaced to the Penguins.
Are these legendary playoff runs sufficient to get Osgood into the Corridor of Fame? Possibly, however I don’t suppose he’s going to go in forward of Joseph or Miller at this level.
Pekka Rinne
That is Pekka Rinne’s first yr of eligibility for the Hockey Corridor of Fame and whereas I don’t suppose he’s a lock for induction this yr, he’s undoubtedly somebody I see making the minimize ultimately. 4 appearances as a top-three finalist for the Vezina Trophy, a Vezina win in his age 35 season (2017-18), and 4 seasons incomes Hart Trophy votes all say lots.
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Rinne presently stands at twenty first all time in NHL wins (369) and nineteenth in shutouts (60) with a profession save proportion of .917%, which is great. He was the most effective participant on a ton of mediocre Nashville Predators groups from the late 2000s to the 2010s and was instrumental of their run to the Stanley Cup Closing in 2016-17 in opposition to the Penguins the place they misplaced regardless of his .930 SV% and 1.96 GAA.
Honorable Mentions:
My honourable mentions will go to gamers who I believe are worthy of creating the Hockey Corridor of Fame sometime, however wouldn’t be my first decisions. If Russian gamers are blacklisted for the foreseeable future, because it appears they is likely to be, then a number of of those gamers might get a glance within the subsequent yr or two.
Keith Tkachuk
Keith Tkachuk is a primary candidate for induction quickly if the aforementioned Russian gamers should not beneath severe consideration. He scored 538 objectives (thirty fifth all-time) together with a powerful 2,219 penalty minutes (forty first all-time). The prime of his profession was through the NHL’s lifeless puck period, that means he’d doubtless have much more spectacular statistics if he had performed in a distinct period. The most important signal that he needs to be inducted is that every one 34 gamers who scored extra objectives than him (apart from Ovechkin, Crosby, and Steven Stamkos) have already been inducted in addition to lots of the others who eclipsed 500 objectives.
Rod Brind’Amour
Rod Brind’Amour is a wierd case, because the requires him to be inducted obtained considerably louder when he re-entered the general public sphere as a head coach with the Carolina Hurricanes. Brind’Amour was an ideal participant, scoring 1,184 factors within the NHL and profitable the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes again in 2006.
He additionally received two Selke Trophies in the direction of the top of his profession. Brind’Amour was by no means an elite defensive-forward, and his Selke wins have been primarily because of this tendency we now have as hockey followers to place rose-colored glasses on and persuade ourselves that nice gamers go from elite offensive sorts early of their careers to nice two-way gamers as they age. It occurred with Steve Yzerman and is going on proper now with Sidney Crosby. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve the wins, however he solely obtained Selke votes 5 instances within the earlier 15 seasons, cracking the top-10 as soon as.
I believe he’ll ultimately make it into the Corridor, deservedly so, however I believe he’s being remembered as a bit extra of a dominant all-around participant than he actually was given the eye and respect he’s earned since returning to the limelight because the likable head coach he has proven himself to be.
Patrik Elias
Patrik Elias is one other participant who’s a little bit of a borderline Corridor of Famer, with the primary handful of years he performed within the NHL going down within the lifeless puck period. He nonetheless managed to place up actually spectacular numbers with the New Jersey Devils, scoring 1025 factors in simply over 1200 profession video games.
He received two Stanley Cups with the Devils, however by no means received any NHL {hardware} of his personal which definitely doesn’t assist his case. Hockey Reference’s period adjusted factors metric places Elias’ profession level complete at 1144 (69th in NHL historical past), which might assist if you happen to might get anybody on the HHOF choice committee to hearken to or care about superior analytics.
Bonus: Ladies Who Ought to Be Inducted
The HHOF choice committee designated two spots on their ballots for Ladies again in 2010 in order that they didn’t must compete for spots with the Males. They inducted two ladies that yr, and have by no means chosen multiple a yr ever since. It is a ridiculous development that should finish so I’ll assist them out and provides them the 2 gamers they completely ought to induct into the Corridor of Fame this coming yr.
Jennifer Botterill
Jennifer Botterill not being within the Corridor of Fame is an enormous oversight at this level, contemplating her affect on ladies’s hockey on the NCAA and worldwide ranges.
Botterill is the one participant to win the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award twice (given to the highest participant in NCAA Division 1 ladies’s ice hockey), and he or she had a fully phenomenal collegiate profession scoring 319 factors in simply 113 video games. Within the 2002-03 season, Botterill scored 47 objectives and 112 factors in solely 32 video games, setting many NCAA data alongside the way in which together with probably the most factors ever recorded in a single sport at 10.
She additionally received three Olympic Gold medals with Staff Canada to go together with 5 IIHF World Championship Golds. There isn’t a argument for why she shouldn’t be inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame and the choice committee ought to proper this unsuitable as quickly as potential.
Meghan Duggan
Meghan Duggan’s case is one other the place it merely is mindless why she hasn’t already been inducted. She had an exceptional taking part in profession, profitable seven consecutive Gold medals on the World Championships, an Olympic Gold medal, and the Patty Kazmaier Award. She additionally captained the Boston Blades to a Clarkson Cup championship within the CWHL and performed within the NWHL earlier than retiring.
Duggan was additionally a champion for equality when it got here to the working and coaching situations for USA Hockey’s ladies’s program, a combat that may depart ripples by ladies’s hockey in the USA for years to come back. She has since taken a place as the director of participant improvement for the New Jersey Devils within the NHL.
