Predicting every NHL team’s future Hall of Famers

New Jersey Devils – Patrik Elias

On paper, Patrik Elias’ stats aren’t overwhelming. Sure, he got over 1,000 points, 400 goals, and 1,000 games played and he won two Stanley Cups, but he has no individual awards and only got named to one first-team All-Star team.

However, it’s undeniable Elias suffered because his prime didn’t come in the advanced stats era. If it did, he might well be in the same conversation as Bergeron (albeit with no Selke Trophies because wings don’t win those). Advanced stats started being tracked in 2007-08, when Elias was 31. His possession numbers were off the charts. I can’t imagine how good he was before he turned 30. Elias will have to wait a little while to get in, but anyone who thinks Daniel Alfredsson should get in before Elias is silly.

Honorable mentions: The P.K. Subban discussion is going to be a great one. He’s objectively one of the best defensemen of the salary cap era. Subban has a Norris Trophy on his resume, as well as two additional top-three finishes. He’s one of the most productive defensemen of the salary cap era as well.

His influence off the ice is only going to help his cause. But Subban’s starting to trend in the wrong direction. Say what you want about Subban, but he’s got a pretty solid HOF case already. If elected, he’ll be the first black NHL defenseman in the Hall of Fame.