Active NHL Players Headed for the Hall of Fame

Reading this got me thinking about the active NHL players skating toward a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Here's Hockeydirt's list of the player's destined for a place beside Howe, Gretzky & Orr in the Hall.  This is followed by a list of those who could earn a spot if they finish their careers with a flourish along the lines of hitting the 500-goal mark or leading their team to a Cup victory. 

Headed for the Hall

• Peter Bondra
• Rod Brind'Amour
• Martin Brodeur
• Chris Chelios
• Dominik Hasek
• Jaromir Jagr
• Nicklas Lidstrom
• Scott Niedermayer
• Mark Recchi
• Jeremy Roenick
• Joe Sakic
• Teemu Selanne
• Brendan Shanahan
• Mats Sundin

On the Bubble

• Tony Amonte
• Ed Belfour
• Sergei Federov
• Peter Forsberg
• Trevor Linden
• Eric Lindros
• Scott Mellanby
• Mike Modano
• Alexander Mogilny
• Gary Roberts
• Keith Tkachuk
• Pierre Turgeon
• Doug Weight
• Sergei Zubov

Ok - let the games begin - tell HockeyDirt who we've missed, overrated & underrated.

Comments

[The Forechecker]

I would think Fedorov is a lock - he's easily the most accomplished Russian player in NHL history, with an MVP (Hart & Pearson), two Selke's, and three Cups.

[MT]

I suspect you are correct - and for a time Fedorov was regarded as the best all round player in the game. If he hits the 500 goal plateau, (he's sitting at 461) I think he's in.

[outburst]

I disagree with the selection of Bondra, Recchi and Roenick.
All great players, but the Hall should be a place for not just great players but the best.
Bondra and Roenick have had good careers as far as personal stats go. They're on par with Doug Gilmour and Glenn Anderson, neither of whom are in. Recchi has always been a supporting cast player, although I would be tempted to pick him of the three.

[MT]

I agree Bondra is a questionable selection. He does have 500 goals, including two 50+ seasons, but he's done little in the post-season - I may have been a little hasty in putting him on the list - he likely needs something like a great playoff run to solidy his chances.
I do think Recchi is a lock. He's a point a game player in over 1,300 games and he is still playing well. He's hit the 500 goal mark and could threaten 600 if he continues to get playing time with Crosby. 2 Cups, both in which he played a significant role - I am sure he's in.
If Roenick isn't careful he might play and talk his way out of consideration for the Hall. 11 goals in 70 games as a Coyote isn't helping his reputation. He's presumably planning to play this year so he gets 500 goals - he is only 5 away from the mark. In his prime Roenick was a very special talent, and very fun to watch - I think he will make the cut.

[Ottawa Wingnut]

Is Forsberg on the bubble because of time lost to injury? In my opinion, in his prime he was the best all around forward in the league (altho' I couldn't stand him). I don't know his career stats but I presume they're down compared to, say, Bondra, but in terms of tough, clutch players, he's off the chart.

[MT]

Forsberg has 248G, 643A (891 pts) in 697 games.
Bondra 503G, 389A (892 pts) in 1081 games.
Yes - the challenge for Forsberg will be getting in having played so few games due to injury. When he plays he produces - as evidenced by his high points-per-game average. Peter the Great also has 166 points in only 144 playoff games - evidence of his ability to perform in the clutch.
Anyone would prefer to have Forsberg over Bonda, but election to the HofF has a lot to do with stats - intangibles are a factor, but numbers matter. Forsberg is only 33, and he likely has a ton more hockey in him, if he can get healthy. If he plays again, and racks up more points - and especially is he helps a team make a long playoff run - that should be enough to solidy his HofF status. As an Ottawa fan, I'd love to see him here, but that does not look to be in the cards.

[Wade]

Belfour, Modano, Forsberg and Fedorov are sure-shots. They stepped up at the right time in their careers to help their teams capture the cup.

Roenick and Bondra are on the bubble.

[Greg Ballentine]

I spend quite a bit of time thinking about this question. I think 15 currently active NHL players are Hall of Famers as of their current accomplishments

From your list they are:
Ed Belfour (you list him as bubble)
Rob Blake (unlisted)
Martin Brodeur (in)
Chris Chelios (in)
Peter Forsberg (bubble)
Dominik Hasek (in)
Jaromir Jagr (in)
Nicklas Lidstrom (in)
Mike Modano (bubble)
Scott Niedermayer (in)
Chris Pronger (unlisted)
Joe Sakic (in)
Teemu Selanne (in)
Bredan Shanahan (in)

Players you list as in that I disagree with.
Peter Bondra - never the best in the NHL and not high enough career totals
Rod Brind'Amour - better case then Bondra with higher career totals and 2 Selkes but still not good enough
Mark Recchi - very close. If only he had been the best player on his team for any significant amount of time
Jeremy Roenick - also would need better career totals
Mats Sundin (in)

[Greg Ballentine]

I messed up the editing and got Sundin in the wrong place. He is a hall of famer

[MT]

Blake is an interesting case - I completely overlooked him. He's got a Norris, and 200+ goals is impressive for a defenceman. He is a minus player for his career, but that can be attributed to having played so many years for mediocre Kings teams.
Bondra has the magic 500 goals, not enough to get him into the HofF, but it will be close.
I thought of Pronger - he's got a lot of hockey left in him, and he's on the path for sure - although he won't get many votes from Edmonton...

[Ocharby]

There is no way JR should be on these lists...it would would totally validate his big mouth....

Linden would have had my vote until his BS with the NHLPA.

I support MT's pick to drop Bondra (Euro), Recci (Lemieu coat-tales)

As a Canadian, I would say Modano is the best US player of his generation outside of Chelly...

I would ban Euros from the Hockey Hall of Fame PERIOD.

[David]

Mike Modano and Ed Belfour will most likely make the Hall of Fame. I'd say Mike Modano is a shoe-in. I'm not so sure about Bondra or Shanahan.

[Craig]

Why on earth would you ban Europeans? Jesus wake up and see the great hockey players that come from "across the pond". I don't think JR should make the HOF.

[Kevin]

There's no way Eric Lindros will get into the hall of fame without a ticket.

[Peter W]

Have to flip flop Bondra and Forsberg. I loved watching Bondra play in his heyday, but Foppa was at one time the best player in the world. I would put Curtis Joseph on the bubble list but I think the last three years of his career has hurt him. Someone mentioned Rob Blake and I think he'll eventually get in. Ditto for Chris Pronger...provided he doesn't kill someone with a shot to the head first!

[mhurley]

In

Peter Bondra
Rod Brind'Amour
Martin Brodeur
Chris Chelios
Dominik Hasek
Jaromir Jagr
Nicklas Lidstrom
Scott Niedermayer
Mark Recchi
Jeremy Roenick
Joe Sakic
Teemu Selanne
Brendan Shanahan
Mats Sundin

Yes to all but Bondra, Recchi and Roenick.

Missing Leetch and Richter

On the Bubble

Tony Amonte - no
Ed Belfour - no
Sergei Federov - maybe
Peter Forsberg -yes
Trevor Linden - maybe
Eric Lindros - never
Scott Mellanby - no
Mike Modano - no
Alexander Mogilny -no
Gary Roberts -no
Keith Tkachuk - yes
Pierre Turgeon - no
Doug Weight - yes
Sergei Zubov

[Richard]

Yes to Doug Weight? Ick. Seriously? Well, OK. Can't wait to see what kind of doors THAT opens up to other above-average-yet-not-distinguished players.

The only person I disagree with on the Headed list is Bondra, a product of being the focal point of a lot of bad teams. On the Bubble, I can't say anybody definitely should be in, though I would like Forsberg's postseason and international accomplishments weighed and him enshrined.

[Bondra16]

Peter scored 50 goals twice in the most goal challenged period in hockey history. 503 goals in a time when few others did it.

[kent]

Too early to put any of them in... but what does everyone think of the chanes of any members of the ottawa trio of Heatley, Spezza and alfie making it to the hall someday?

alfie is much like his country mate forsberg, missed too many games due to injuries... he's currently just shy of 800 points, 80 playoff points, 20 points in the olympics and 40 points in the world championships, I think for him to get in he would have to log another 4-5 seasons like the ones he's had the last couple years

Heatley has back to back 50 goal, 100 point seasons, still way to early to say he belongs in the hall but it looks promising

Spezza is going to have to start staying healthy for an entire season, but after 250 games he's averaging over a point a game and he's also averaged over a point a game in the playoffs

[Hawky]

Anyone who says "Euros" should not be in the Hall are not Hockey fans. Give me a break. As much as I love Canadian Hockey players.....But, what about, Selanne, Mogilny (During contract years) Fedorov, and now Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom...(Not a Wings fan, but man can they draft!!) The NHL is watered down now, imagine taking out the Euros? Oh wait, they can play in the league, just can't get into the Hall of Fame? Whatever, dude.

[John]

Kent has the only valid comment on here! You have to look at it by year. All you clowns have Pierre Turgeon not getting in... Well guess what, he is the top player in year 2010 that is eligible. And here is a player that has played on bad teams and has scored many points.

I especially love the clown who says no to Turgeon and yes to Doug Weight! LOL

Cheers

[jagr68]

Any idea of Doug Weight going to the hall of fame is proof of insanity. He has had an almost pointless career. But I do agree with Jagr going to the hall of fame, along with Sackic. But Roenick is an "iffy" player, he just doesn't have hall of fame written on him like the others on the list.

FORSBERG ROCKS!!!!! nO-oNE CaN ChANgE mY MiND!!!!

Recchi was consistently the top point getter on Montreal, and many of the Philadelphia years. He was not the top guy during his Pittsburgh years - but heck...no one else in the league would have been when that team had Lemieux, Jagr and more recently Crosby. Rechhi is a lock - the guy is still awesome at 40.