Predicting every NHL team’s future Hall of Famers

Buffalo Sabres – Alexander Mogilny

I’m going to beat the “Alexander Mogilny is a Hall of Famer” drum until it happens. On the ice, he was objectively one of the most productive players of the salary cap era if you look at points per game. He once scored 76 goals in 77 games. Mogilny was easily one of the best players in the NHL when he was on his game.

But I haven’t even gotten to the biggest reason why Mogilny should be a Hall of Famer. He was the first Soviet skater to defect from the USSR and play in the NHL. Mogilny had a huge impact off the ice and opened the doors for many Russians and Soviets to play in the world’s best hockey league.  It’s humiliating Mogilny isn’t in the Hall of Fame yet.

Honorable mentions: Tom Barrasso has an interesting case. Unfortunately, the Hall of Fame is cruel to goaltenders. I’d be all for him getting in if only so the floor for goaltenders gets lowered a bit so more can get in.

It’s a bit early to tell with Jack Eichel, but assuming the Buffalo Sabres don’t completely waste the best years of his career, he’s definitely on the right path. Even if they do, Eichel’s still building a pretty good case.

The Ryan Miller Hall of Fame debate is going to be fascinating. He’s unquestionably one of the greatest American goaltenders of all-time. Miller has a Vezina Trophy to his name too and he nearly led the United States to a gold medal in the 2010 Olympics.

Two questions are going to have to be answered. First, was his prime long enough? Secondly, will he finish high enough on the career wins list that it won’t matter? Ask Curtis Joseph about that last one.