The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is full of memories and players who made this game great along the way. Filled with stars and builders, they are rewarded for their many achievements for the game of hockey. Over the years, the NHL has voted in some of the best players in history, giving them the recognition they deserve. However, there have been some players added who did not achieve so much, while deserving players sit on the sidelines, waiting for their opportunity.
The Hockey Hall of Fame showcases elite talent
Sitting in the outside looking in are six forwards who had excellent careers and are deserving of making the Hockey Hall of Fame. With success in the NHL, they also have success outside of the league, competing in the Olympics and World Championships to bring home medals for their efforts. The players deserving of a nomination to the Hall of Fame are listed below, along with stats and achievements.
Alexander Mogilny
Drafted in the fifth-round (89th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1989 NHL Draft, Alexander Mogilny was the first Russian to defect to the NHL in May 1989. An extremely risky move, he knew where he wanted to be and he made a successful career out of that move. He scored 473 goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points in 990 games during the regular season. In the playoffs, he scored 39 goals and 47 assists for 86 points in 124 games. He competed in four All-Star games (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996) during his career.
His achievements include winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2002-03, winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000, winning an Olympic gold medal, and becoming a Europian Champion. He is the second Russian player in the NHL to reach 1,000 career points.
Rod Brind'Amour
Rod Brind'Amour is one of the rare people to have success as a player and head coach in the NHL. Drafted by the St. Louis Blues ninth overall in the 1988 NHL Draft, he went on to have a successful career on the ice and behind the bench. As a player, he produced 452 goals and 732 assists for 1,184 points in 1,484 games. In the playoffs, he scored 51 goals and 60 assists for 111 points in 159 games. He would particiapte in the 1992 NHL All-Star game, won the Stanely Cup in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes, won the Frank J Selke Trophy in 2005/06 and 2006/07, won a World Championship gold medal, but has yet to be voted in and this has been the case since 2013.
Behind the bench, he took a Hurricanes team and have them the mindset to work as a team. That worked as Carolina has been one of the best regualr season teams since his arrival. His coaching record is 278-130-44 for a .664 points percentage in 452 games. His leadership behind the bench rewarded him with the 2020-21 Jack Adams Award for the league's best head coach.
Henrik Zetterberg
Known for the shift in game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2008, Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg flies under the radar when it comes to players with lengthy success and consistency that are not in the Hall of Fame. Drafted by the Red Wings in the seventh-round (210th overall) in the 1999 NHL Draft, he has offensive production that goes unnoticed. He has 337 goals and 623 assists for 960 points in 1,082 games while posting a +160 plus/ minus rating. He is one of the best players in Red Wings franchise history and ranks among the best in offensive stats. Sixth in games played, fifth in goals and assists, sixth in plus/ minus, and seventh in even-strength goals.
His achievements include winning the 2007-08 Conn Smythe Trophy for best playoff performer, winning the 2014-15 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, a Stanley Cup with the 2008 Red Wings, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Championship gold medal. Not bad for a sevewnth-rouond pick.
Patrik Elias
Longtime New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias is still waiting for a phone call into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Drafted by the Devils 51st overall in the 1994 NHL Draft, he has been the best player in franchise history. During his career, he has amassed 408 goals and 617 assists for 1,025 points in 1,250 games, along with a +172. In the playoffs, he scored 454 goals and 80 assists for 125 points in 162 games.
He would play in four All-Star games (2000, 2002, 2011, 2015) and win the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003 with New Jersey. He also has one Olympic bronze and two bronze World Championship medals to his credit.
Theoren Fleury
Diminutive forward Theoren Fleury is not let size fool anyone as he was explosive on the ice. He was an eighth-round pick of the Calgary Flames (166th overall) in the 1987 NHL Draft and had a stellar career. In his career, he scored 455 goals and 633 assists for 1,088 points in 1,084 games, held a +145 rating, and accumulated 1,840 penalty minutes.
Achievements of Fleury include a World Junior Championship gold medal, and an Olympic gold medal, seven All-Star games (1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), and a Stanely Cup with Calgary in 1989. He was also a playoff performer, scoring 34 goals and 45 assists for 79 points in 77 games.
Keith Tkachuk
One of the best United States born players in NHL history, Keith Tkachuk is one of the more underrated players not in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Winnipeg Jets drafted Tkachuk 19th overall in the 1990 NHL Draft. His success on the ice went beyond as he was a star with the community. One of the best power forwards in the game, Tkachuk is the father of Florida Panthers star Matthew and Ottawa Seantors captain Brady.
His stats include 538 goals and 527 assists for 1,065 points in 1,201 games. In the playoffs, he would produce 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points in 89 games. He has appeared in five All-Star games (1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009), won a silver medal at the Winter Games, and is one of four American born players with 500 goals.