Predicting every NHL team’s future Hall of Famers

Detroit Red Wings – Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk’s NHL career was relatively short, as he didn’t even get to 1,000 regular-season games. But he made the most of every single one of the 953 regular-season games and 157 postseason games he played. Datsyuk had an impressive run of awards, winding up with three Selke Trophies, two Stanley Cups, and four Lady Byngs.

He also averaged nearly a point per game, which is really impressive in the dead puck era. Datsyuk’s counting stats aren’t overwhelming, but his prime is definitely good enough to carry him into the Hall of Fame.

Detroit Red Wings – Henrik Zetterberg

I’m leaning towards “yes” on Henrik Zetterberg. He’s one of the best Swedish forwards of all-time, he got the 2008 Conn Smythe, and he captained a Stanley Cup champion. Zetterberg was always second fiddle on the Red Wings, but there have been very, very few second fiddles better than him.

Honorable mentions: Sadly, Vladimir Konstantinov’s hockey career ended prematurely when he was in a car accident in 1997. But when he was on the ice, he was a very special player. Heck, I’ll come out and say it – just put the entire Russian Five in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Look, if the WWE can put the entire NWO in the Hall of Fame, the NHL can find a way to pull it off too.

Chris Osgood could get in once the floor for goalies is set at a more reasonable level. The only problem is he only received Vezina Trophy votes in two seasons. Osgood did get to 400 wins and won several Stanley Cups, though. If Luongo gets in, that could open the door for him. Mike Babcock is an overrated coach, but if you look at his resume, it’s impossible to deny he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame one day.