There was no Hall of Fame class in 2021, so this list includes players who played their final game in both 2018 and 2019. He ranks 16th in career scoring by a defenseman and 37th in defensive point shares. So players like Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin didn't make this list, although they may qualify in a few years if they keep producing at an elite level. Hossa has played in five NHL All-Star Games and ended a strange streak when he finally won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. Another reason Lindros may not be in the Hall of Fame yet is because he made more than a few enemies in Quebec when he refused to play for the Nordiques after they drafted him. Shero led the Flyers back to the Stanley Cup Final in 1976, but they fell to the Montreal Canadiens. The native of Pskov, Russia, had 10 seasons of 30 goals or more and twice was named winner of the Frank J. Selke Award as the NHL's best defensive forward. The Boston Bruins have had two of the greatest hockey players of . Andreychuk scored 640 goals (No. He is best known as a member of the Kings' "Triple Crown Line" along with Charlie Simmer and Marcel Dionne. Defensive Player. 561 Likes, TikTok video from Michael Bosque (@talkinbaseballhistory): "Top 5 players with the highest batting average NOT in the hall of fame #baseball #majorleaguebaseball #mlb #baseballtiktoks #sports #team #game #player #halloffame #hof #batting #battingaverage #mvp #mlbtiktok #worldseries". He lost the first two times he reached the championship series. 21 jersey in 2006. 5 among American-born players and a mark that guarantees serious consideration for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame is the highest individual honor a hockey player, coach or GM can achieve over the course of his career. All four members of this year's Hall of Fame class were affected by a labour disruption during their careers - Bure was playing for the Vancouver Canucks during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 . He reached the Stanley Cup final twice as a coach, coming up short in 1989 with Montreal before winning it all with the New Jersey Devils in 2003. The Chicago Bears may have the most NFL Hall of Famers with 30, but a couple more of their players are deserving. Vachon did backstop the Habs to the 1967 Stanley Cup Final but fell to the Maple Leafs in that series in six games. New York Post. 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame predictions: 6 players who should get the call. In a September 2011 interview with The Hockey News, former teammate Jim Peplinski appreciated McCrimmons mental acuity: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thehockeywriters_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',833,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thehockeywriters_com-leader-4-0'); Beast was a quiet individual who in my opinion had a very deep and thorough understanding of the game, one that in initial conversations with him sometimes would be hidden. > Total Hall of Fame players: 52. At his present scoring pace, he will eclipse the 1,000-point mark in less than two full healthy seasons. He played the same position in the same era as Mats Sundin and scored just 22 fewer points in 50 fewer games. It is a hall of fame and museum dedicated to the history of ice hockey. A year after the merge, Taylor led the NFL in receiving yards while earning All-Pro honors. No other NHLer with at least 1,200 games played and 400 points scored has such a high career plus-minus amount. He scored more points per game than anyone on the list and scored eleven fewer points thanDave Andreychukin four fewer seasons. He scored more points-per-game than anyone on the list and scored eleven fewer points thanDave Andreychukin four fewer seasons. He never made a Cup Final or won an individual trophy, though he was voted twice to the Second All-Star Team. Johnson led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards on multiple occasions. While he played in nine NHL All-Star Games, he never was named to a postseason All-Star Team. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sentiment aside, the popular former coach belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Feb 28, 2023 - Honor the achievements of some of the greatest stars in hockey at this shrine to Canada's national sport. However, both standard and advanced metrics show that he belongs in the HHOF. He won back-to-back Selke Trophies as the NHL's best defensive forward in 2006 and 2007. The annual meeting of the Selection Committee will be held on Monday, June 27 in Toronto to select and announce the 2022 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.. Jarome Iginla was a highly touted prospect when the Dallas Stars drafted him No. The Boston native broke in with the Buffalo Sabres and won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 1984-85. He was one of the best stay-at-home defensemen in the history of the NHL, ranked 11th all-time in career defensive point shares. Thomas, who led the NFL in tackles on two separate occasions, retired with 1,734 career tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 48 passes defensed, 16 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Markkanen earned that trust. A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews spent 16 of his 19 NFL seasons with the Browns, helping Cleveland win five AFC Central division titles during the 1980s. Hayes helped the Raiders win their second Super Bowl that season. Twice, Kariya was named the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player. Andre Lacroix is the all-time leading scorer in WHA history. Rogie Vachon has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame so far despite the fact that he was one of the best goalies in the NHL in the 1960s and 70s. In 2010, a subcategory was established for female players. Current Hall of Fame "lock": No McDavid may the top player that the NHL has to offer right now. He played in seven NHL All-Star Games and was named to five postseason All-Star Teams. The former Devils and Ducks defenseman won four Stanley Cups over the course of his NHL career and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2006-07 with the Anaheim Ducks. A four-time Pro Bowler, Anderson led the NFL in completion percentage three times. 30 in 2007. After the lockout, Shanahan helped make changes to the game to help get the game out of the "dead puck era." Shero finished his NHL coaching career with a 390-225-119 record. Few players in NHL history have possessed the all-around skills of Russian winger Sergei Fedorov. Joseph was a fan favorite and a winner wherever he went. He was part of the 1993 Kings team that reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history and served as captain of the Kings for four seasons. Important note: For this exercise, we only considered players who have been retired for at least five years, the waiting time required before one can appear on a BBWAA ballot . He has also hosted several NHL awards shows and remains a well-known, loved and respected voice of the sport. NFL Player. A player who was truly ahead of his time, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Taylor was one of the first receivers to fully use his physicality to his advantage. 6:28 pm ET. Jagr has topped 90 points in a season 10 times and gone over 100 points five times. He was later reinstated by the NHL and served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons. Turgeon has the same or better career scoring data than inducted players of his era and deserves to be among them. Markus Nslund - 395 goals, 869 points, 0.97 points peer game, Hart Trophy runner-up and Lester Pearson Award winner (2003), three-time First Team All-Star.. Kent Nilsson - 262 goals, 686 . Although he never won a Stanley Cup, "Cujo" specialized in helping underdog teams make longer-than-expected playoff runs. In 1992-93, Recchi scored 123 points, the most scored in a single season by a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. He has won eight Gemini Awards for his work on HNIC, including being named Canada's Best Sports Broadcaster five times. Although the WHA was not the first league since that time to attempt to challenge the NHL's . Gradishar earned five more Pro Bowl selections (as well as another All-Pro nod) during his final six seasons with the Broncos. Iginla is the most overrated player in NHL history. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thehockeywriters_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',831,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thehockeywriters_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Table 3. This allowed me to give attention to a few less-heralded players too. He has been selected to 11 NHL All-Star Games and four postseason All-Star teams. Marshall, who was still a starter at age 42, helped the Vikings win three NFC titles along with the NFL championship in 1969. Overall, Datsyuk already has 240 goals and 718 points in 732 career games. In 1965, Taylor spurned the NFL (he was drafted by theEagleswith the 203rd pick in theNFL draft) to play for the AFL'sKansas City Chiefs. Eight times, Jagr was named to a postseason All-Star team including seven first-team selections. His career numbers are good: 372 goals and 865 points in 760 career games. No European-born player has more points than Jagr. I took great pride and pleasure and a lot of appreciation in talking to Brad about parts of the game that he saw in a way that I certainly didnt and many others didnt. Turgeon was the Habs captain and leading scorer, so it was easy to enjoy watching him play. With more data available now versus when they retired, players like Turgeon and Fleury will have a better chance to receive the call to the Hall. Few goalies have been as good as Brodeur has for as long as Brodeur has. Also, he scored 403 points in 1,222 games and racked up 1,416 penalty minutes. The most undeserving members of the Hockey Hall of Fame are certainly not important to the history of the game. Arguably, his finest season was 2006-07 when he led the NHL for being on the ice for the most power-play goals (37) and total goals for (151). Oates played and lost in the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 1998 with the Washington Capitals and 2003 with the Anaheim Ducks. He was the first American goalie to surpass 300 career wins. But Lindros' career was quickly derailed by a series of injuries, and he was never the same. Sergei Gonchar was a high-quality, all-around blueliner who has the hardware, career scoring, and defensive prowess that should see him inducted sooner than later. Neal Broten is one of the few players in hockey history who won the NCAA title, an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup. There were two first-year men in this year's squad in Jarome Iginla and Marian Hossa. All Rights Reserved. Roberts played in three NHL All-Star Games and won the Masterton Trophy for dedication to hockey in 1996. Brind'Amour served as captain of the Hurricanes and was instrumental in the team's 2006 Stanley Cup championship. This allowed me to give attention to a few less-heralded players too. A member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Jacoby helped protect Super Bowl MVPs Doug Williams and Mark Rypien in Super Bowls XXII and XXVI. 7 in 1998. He finished his career with 385-273-92 record and a GAA of 2.98. Standard and Advanced Scoring Metrics in Gonchars EraPlayer NameSeasonsGamesPointsPts RankPPGDPSAl MacInnis*1981-041416127430.90090.73Phil Housley*1982-031495123240.82473.87Nicklas Lidstrom*1991-121564114260.730113.63Brian Leetch*1987-061205102880.85360.41Chris Chelios*1983-101651948100.574108.69Scott Stevens*1982-041635908120.555115.64Sergei Gonchar1994-151301811160.62367.50Sergei Zubov*1992-091068771200.72274.08Mathieu Schneider1987-101289743220.57669.38Scott Niedermayer*1991-101263740240.58682.14Chris Pronger*1993-121167698260.59883.66DPS = Defensive Point Shares, which is the contribution by a players defense to team standings points. They simply are on the lesser side of legendary when compared to the best NHL players of all time. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Holt played an integral role on theRams' 1999 championship team. A six-time Pro Bowler from 2006-10 and in 2012, Wayne led the NFL in receiving yards in 2007. In order to not raise the alarm, Mogilny, who was the Soviet Team captain, had to work with the Buffalo Sabres and the US State Department in a clandestine manner to secure his political asylum. 1 Overall Pick in the NFL Draft, Taylor Lewan Has List Of 3 NFL Teams He Will Not Play For, Realistic Landing Spots for Jalen Ramsey After Rams Trade Him, GDT 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game Day Thread. He should be inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame soon after he becomes eligible. The Scarborough, Ontario native was a true power forward who scored 440 goals and 952 points in 1,144 games. Shanahan finished No. He also served as captain of the Canadiens in 1995-96. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LOS ANGELES ANGELS ^FULL CASE-6 JUMBO BOX LIVE BREAK* 2023 SERIES ONE JUMBO at the best online prices at eBay! Scouting Reports A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Craig became the first player in league history to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season (1985). The Mimico, Ontario native won three Stanley Cups during his NHL career. Keith Tkachuk has reached a lot of milestones that usually ensure a player's induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Through three-quarters of his first Jazz season, the 7-foot forward is averaging more than 25 points per game (25.3) while flirting with a 50-40-90 season; he's . His career may be over as a result of repeated concussions. Twitter Facebook Youtube. ProSportsDaily.com is not affiliated with the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, FIFA, NCAA, or any of the newspapers linked to. Hasek announced his official retirement this fall after no team signed him to a new deal. He is also an outstanding defensive player and has been a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. Defenseman Rob Blake accomplished a lot during his NHL career with the Kings, Avalanche and Sharks. Since Thornton is only 33, he has the chance to add to those already impressive numbers. The Melrose, Massachusetts native played in five NHL All-Star Games and was named to a pair of postseason All-Star teams. He was not without hardware either. Chelios didn't just last a long timehe was one of the best in the game for a long time, too. 1 receiver when the Colts made it back to the Super Bowl in 2009. He has been selected to play in six NHL All-Star Games and was named captain of one of the squads in 2009. Best NHL Players Not in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Copyright 2023 NS Sports Media Pros Ltd (N.S., Canada licenced) company website. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Craig became the first player to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl during the 49ers' win over the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVI. The 2020 hockey Hall of Fame class was announced on Wednesday. Standard and Advanced Scoring Metrics in Turgeons EraPlayer NameSeasonsGamesPointsPts RankPPGPSGC/AMike Modano*1989-201114991374240.917144.88541.63Brendan Shanahan*1987-200915241354260.888147.96558.54Mats Sundin*1990-200913461349281.002144.41547.92Dave Andreychuk*1982-200616391338290.816124.43505.91Mike Gartner*1979-199814321335310.932121.80477.54Pierre Turgeon1987-200712941327341.026134.34499.64Jarome Iginla*1996-201715541300340.837157.86586.63Jeremy Roenick1988-200913631216450.892125.77475.09Vincent Damphousse1986-200413781205480.874105.45440.45Rod BrindAmour1989-201014841184510.798105.71456.27Sergei Fedorov*1990-200912481179520.945125.59472.91Daniel Alfredsson*1995-201412461157540.929133.64478.09Marian Hossa*1997-201713091134570.866144.17504.82PPG = Points Per Game; PS = Point Shares, a measure of how many team standings points contributed by a player; GC/A = Adjusted Goals Created, which is era- and team-adjusted career goals scored. Many deserving players have been passed over because they played for a small market team; other players were overshadowed by more celebrated teammates. Chris Chelios lasted an incredible 26 seasons in the National Hockey League and presently stands No. Jeremy Roenick is regarded as one of the all-time best players in the National Hockey League with over 500 goals and 1200 points, but he is not a member of the Hall of Fame. Jones didn't have a chance against Tasker, who beat Jones on an inside move before blocking Mike Saxon's punt. He is the 4th highest scoring American of all time and the highest-scoring player not in the HHOF. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thehockeywriters_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',832,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thehockeywriters_com-leader-2-0'); Table 4. Five times, Taylor topped 90 points in a season and twice he scored more than 100 points. Tkachuk is just 70th in career points, 73rd in points-per-game, and 79th in point shares. Its a little harder to judge defensemen on HHOF worthiness because of how the position has changed over time and the lack of historical tools available to measure the core responsibilities. Twice, Bondra either led the league or was tied for the NHL lead in goals scored including the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season when he scored 34 goals in 47 games. The Hockey Hall of Fame. Among those players are former offensive lineman Bob Kuechenberg, receivers Mark Duper andMark Claytonand running back Ricky Williams. The native of Vancouver finished with 989 points in 989 career NHL games and was one of the best passing centers of his era. 25 all time in points. Feeling that Vanbiesbrouck deserves induction more than CuJo is a lot easier when you compare their GSAA numbers. Few can deny that Hockey Night in Canada broadcasters Don . $40.37. Mogilny was among the most injured players of his time, rarely playing more than 70 games per season. He also has 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 109 playoff games. 2 on Team Canada in scoring. 10 10. Corey Perry, Right Wing (Quad 1) Nope. He was a bad leader, an overrated scorer, and a goon. Brian Propp may have had the most NHL playoff success without ever winning a Cup. He finished his career with 355 wins and a 2.99 GAA. After his playing career ended, Taylor spent a decade as GM of the Kings and currently works for the Blues organization. With the exception of Fedorov, no player in this range won a Cup, made an All-Star Team, and won an individual performance trophy. Bondra played in five All-Star Games and helped lead the Capitals to their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997-98. 1yr ago. Keith Tkachuk That same year, he won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer, the Hart Trophy as league MVP and had the league's top plus/minus rating. 1 receiver when Pittsburgh defeated theCardinalsthree years later in Super Bowl XLIII. He finished his NHL career with 438 goals and 909 points in 1,224 games. If Lindros had stayed healthy, there is little doubt he was bound for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, is at the top of that list. With Saturday's induction, there are now 362 former players, coaches and . Grich played 10 of his 17 seasons in the Majors with the Angels, and he is almost universally viewed as one of the most deserving of enshrinement among players not in the Hall of Fame. Modano only made one NHL All-Star Team, Andreychuk and Mike Gartner made zero. He also helped lead three teams to the Stanley Cup Final. Fedorov was part of the Red Wings' "Russian Five," a group of five players who played as a unit and helped make the Wings one of the league's dominant teams in the 1990s. The Edmonton native has been named to four postseason All-Star teams and played in six All-Star Games. Niedermayer was selected to appear in six NHL All-Star Games and was named to four postseason All-Star Teams. With theCowboyspunting from their own 16-yard line, Tasker was lined up against linebacker Robert Jones, a rookie who filled in for an injured starter. Twice Lacroix led the WHA in scoring, and he was named to the league's postseason All Star Team three times. RT @NYRStatsInfo: Kane is one of 31 players in NHL history who have tallied 1,200+ points and have averaged 1.00+ points per game. He later won back-to-back Lady Byng Trophies for gentlemanly play in 2010 and 2011. While he has yet to receive the call to Canton,Matthews was inducted into the Browns' Ring of Honorin 2019. Unfortunately for the St. Paul, Minnesota native, he never played for a Stanley Cup winner, coming closest with the Capitals, who reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1998 before falling in four straight games to the Red Wings. November 14, 2022. Taylor's transition to the NFL was seamless after the two leagues merged in 1970. He played in 1,294 games for the Sabres, Islanders, Canadiens, Blues, Stars and Avalanche and scored 515 goals and 1,327 points. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Tasker's brilliance was on display during the opening minutes of Super Bowl XXVII. He also led the NFL in passing yards in consecutive seasons. Paul Kariya was one of the most exciting players to watch during the 1990's. Despite his small stature, Kariya was able to make an immediate impact at the highest level with the Anaheim Ducks. Shop by category. Hasek won a pair of Stanley Cups and helped the Senators and Sabres reach the Stanley Cup Final. In 1981, Anderson won both league MVP and Comeback Player of the Year while leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl. There are several straight forward selections, like Pierre Turgeon (center), and some that go against the grain. At 42, Fedorov was still active in the KHL last year. Turgeon had nine seasons of 30 or more goals including a career-high 58 goals and 132 points with the Islanders in 1992-93. Nov 11, 2022. Hollett won two Stanley Cups with the Bruins in 1939 and 1941. An incredibly consistent player throughout his career, Riley picked off at least four passes nine different times, tallying a career-high nine interceptions in 1976. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 5th round of the 1988 NHL Draft, he stirred up controversy by defecting to the US during the 1989 World Junior Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. The Hockey Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum dedicated to the history of ice hockey.It was established in 1943 and is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Originally, there were two categories for induction, players and builders, and in 1961, a third category for on-ice officials was introduced. A Pro Bowler each season from 1983-86, Jacoby's blocking helped John Riggins rush for a then Super Bowl record in Washington's win over Miami in Super Bowl XVII. Despite falling just short of the 1,000-point plateau, Kariya still deserves entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Gary Roberts overcame injuries that nearly ended his NHL career at 30 and went on to have a productive second act as a hockey player. Steve Larmer is a member of the 1,000-game club and the 1,000-point club, and appeared in 884 straight games for the Chicago Blackhawks before a contract dispute put an end to the third-longest consecutive-games streak in NHL history. He finished his career with 132 goals and 313 points in 565 NHL games. With the exception of Fedorov, no player in this range won a Cup, made an All-Star Team, and won an individual performance trophy. Today, Weight is an assistant coach with the New York Islanders. For many years, his "Coach's Corner" segment actually got higher ratings than the game itself. Three of Ward's four consecutive Pro Bowl selections came with different quarterbacks: Kordell Stewart (2001), Tommy Maddox (2002-03) and a rookie namedBen Roethlisberger(2004). Despite his team's lack of success, Nobis earned the recognition of his peers, earning five Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro nod during his first seven seasons. He was a Second Team All-Star twice (1993 and 1996), won the Cup in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils, and was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy in 2003. Iginla has won a pair of Rocket Richard Trophies as the league's top goal scorer and the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer. Howe retired from the NHL in 1971 at age 43 after 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, with 786 goals and 1,023 assists for a total of 1,809 points in 1,687 games. However, he ranks 5th all-time in career left-wing points-per-game behind Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Michel Goulet, Paul Kariya, and future HHOFer Alex Ovechkin. A five-time All-Star who finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting three times between 2000 and 2004, Helton's status as a non-Hall of Famer is beginning to look like a . He played in six NHL All-Star Games and was named to postseason All-Star teams on four occasions. The 2021 Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) Class induction announcement caused a stir because of who was and was not included. Teams:Browns (1978-93); Falcons (1994-96). His career GAA is a solid 2.79. Feel free to comment on players you don't feel belong and anybody you feel I left out, but again, remember the standard: If their career ended today, have they already qualified as being among the best of all time? Los Angeles Kings' great Dave Taylor spent 17 seasons in the NHL after starring at Clarkson University. A valued member of Minnesota's "Purple People Eaters" defensive line, Marshall holds numerous NFL records, including the most seasons played by a defensive player (20, along with Junior Seau and Darrell Green), most consecutive games by a defensive player (282), most consecutive starts by a defensive player (270), and most career fumble recoveries (30). He is the third-ever American-born NHL player to reach the 500-goal mark and finished with 513 goals and 1,206 points in 1,363 games. Everyone ranked above Mike Modano has already been inducted, so Turgeon is thehighest-scoring eligible player currently notin the HHOF. Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) The fact that he never won a Stanley Cup may be delaying his induction. By Sean McIndoe. At the time of his retirement, Hollett was the all-time scoring leader among defensemen. He is also the league's all-time leader in power-play goals with 274. His greatest Islanders moment came on April 18, 1987, when he scored at 8:42 of quadruple overtime to beat Capitals, 4-3, in Game 7 of Patrick Division semifinals. A key member of the Bengals' 1981 AFC championship team, Riley returned a league-high three interceptions for touchdowns during his final two seasons. 4 all time in career wins with 454 and is No. Several of the players in this article retired when statistical modeling was in its infancy. That's more than HOFers Terry Sawchuk (445 . The Flames retired Vernon's No. A Cup championship eluded Vanbiesbrouck, who was left unprotected by the New York Rangers in the 1993 Expansion Draft, the summer before the Rangers won their first Cup in 54 years in 1994. His 46-yard touchdown sealed Kansas City's 23-7 win over theVikings, the last game ever played between the rival leagues. Blake served as captain of both the Kings and Sharks and won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 1997-98. Nor was he an elite scorer like Brian Leetch but he was better in his own zone. Ill be surprised if half of these players arent inducted into the Hall within the next three to five years, but theyre all certainly deserving. In 2007, he became the first European-born player to captain a team to the Stanley Cup Final. He finished his NHL career with 448 goals and 988 points in 1,005 games.