The Ice Hockey Hall of Fame is a small select club where only the very best of the best are invited. Established in 1943 and housed in Toronto, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame will ensure that a player’s legacy will be protected for eternity.
Whereas some players will wait several years before they are inducted, there are several players who are sure fire locks to be inducted as soon as their playing careers end.
With the current NHL awash with talent, there are several stars who can look forward to being invited into hockey’s most exclusive club. Here is our list of those who if they retired today, would be guaranteed their place in hockey immortality.
Alex Ovechkin
One of the NHL’s greatest imports, Alex Ovechkin has long been regarded as a legend of the sport. Now 38, Ovechkin still yearns for more glory on the ice and will be one of the oldest players on the rink when the new season kicks off.
Ever since entering the NHL as a rookie ‘The Great 8’ has become a major force in front of goal. Trailing only the great Wayne Gretzky when it comes to the NHL’s list of all time scorers, Ovechkin trails the ‘Great One’ by 42 goals and there are hopes he could surpass Gretzky’s total this season.
A Stanley Cup winner and the winner of nine Rocket Richard trophies, the Russian has surpassed the 50 goal mark in nine different seasons. A legend of the game, Ovechkin will always be remembered as one of the sharpest shooters that the game has ever seen.
Sidney Crosby
When it comes to determining who the greatest modern NHL player is, many fans from all over the world will point towards Sidney Crosby.
The greatest player to have ever played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby has won it all. A three time Stanley Cup winner, Crosby is only one of 30 men who is apart of the prestigious Triple Gold Club having won Olympic Gold, World Championship Gold and the Stanley Cup.
With his place in the Hall of Fame already assured, not only will Crosby be forever revered in Pittsburgh, but his talents will be forever immortalised when he is inducted into hockey’s most special of clubs.
Connor McDavid
Despite being one of the youngest men on this list and still entering his prime as a player, Connor McDavid looks on course to become one of the NHL’s all time greats.
On track to become an Edmonton great, according to most betting sites in Canada, Edmonton will start the new NHL season as one of the favorites for Stanley Cup glory and a large reason behind that is because of the presence of McDavid.
Having led the Oilers to the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, it was heartbreaking for both him and Oilers fans that they would go onto lose to the Florida Panthers in Game 7.
The most recent winner of the Conn Smythe trophy, McDavid will hope to cement his legacy even further by guiding the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup title since 1990.
Evgeni Malkin
Despite Sidney Crosby being the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the career he has without the efforts of Evgeni Malkin.
At times overshadowed by his teammate, Malkin has forged a career that will rank him amongst the greatest hockey players who have ever played the game.
A winner of both the Conn Smythe Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy, the three Stanley Cups that the Penguins have been able to win since Malkin joined the team wouldn’t have been possible without his all-star abilities.
Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is one of the best hockey players to have ever hailed from America.
A three time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, Kane has already cemented his legacy as a Blackhawks great.
A three time all-star, Kane’s glittering career has seen him win the Conn Smythe Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy.
Kane has also proved it on the international stage, helping guide America to a Winter Olympics silver medal back in 2010, he was also named the MVP of the World Championships back in 2018.
Now with the Detroit Red Wings and with his playing days due to end in the next few years, Kane will hope to help the Red Wings to a first Stanley Cup since 2008.
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