Predicting every NHL team’s future Hall of Famers

St. Louis Blues – Doug Armstrong

Even before the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019, Doug Armstrong had a pretty impressive resume. He was an assistant GM for the Dallas Stars when they won the Stanley Cup and served in the front office of two gold medal-winning Team Canada squads (2010 and 2014). Additionally, he has won two World Championships in a front-office role. I think the Stanley Cup pushes him into the Hall of Fame.

St. Louis Blues – Ken Hitchcock

You could argue Hitchock should be listed under the Dallas Stars, but when I think of Hitchcock, I think of the Blues, not the Stars. He has a long and impressive resume. The Stanley Cup he won with the Stars in 1999 cemented his legacy. It’s not a matter of if he’ll make the Hall of Fame. Rather, it’s a matter of when.

Honorable mentions: Keith Tkachuk is another quintessential “Hall of Very Good” guy. Sure, he has over 500 goals, but he did it during a time when it was easier to get there. I have a gut feeling he’ll get in eventually, but it could take a while.

Ryan O’Reilly’s building a fascinating case. If he wins another Selke Trophy, that could give him the boost he needs to be a Hall of Famer. Vladimir Tarasenko has quietly been a pretty darn good goal scorer. Losing basically a full season this year certainly won’t help, though.

Jay Bouwmeester is a Triple Gold club member, which is going to help his cause. Alex Pietrangelo needs a Norris Trophy to be a serious contender, but he’s quietly building a pretty strong case. If he wins a World Championship gold medal, he’ll join the Triple Gold Club.