Q: How Many Hall-of-Famers does it take to win the Stanley Cup?
The answer appears to be approximately 4.8 players.
Using the Great Expansion of 1967 as our dividing line, there have been 42 Cup champions. Of those 42 teams, only the last six champs have not boasted a current Hall-of-Famer in the lineup, and that only makes sense, as a player has to be retired for three seasons before they can be inducted into the Hall.
So let’s subtract those six teams, and just consider all the Cup winning teams from 1967-68 up until 2002-03.
All of those 36 Cup champions featured at least one future Hall-of-Famer in their lineup, 176 Hall-of Famers in all. These totals include, for instance, counting Bryan Trottier six different times, four for his tenure with the Islanders, and two Cups with the Penguins.
As time moves forward, this number will change.
For instance, defenceman Chris Chelios got into seven games with the Atlanta Thrashers last season, and it finally appears as if his NHL career is over, though recently there was talk of him going over to the KHL.
If he were to visit Russia, then that would only delay the inevitable, his enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
When that day finally dawns, the number of Hall-of-Famer who played for the 1985-86 Canadiens, the 2001-02 Red Wings, and the 007-08 Red Wings will increase by exactly one.
This master list not complete, nor will it ever be. Consider the case of Dick Duff.
The native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario played in the NHL from 1954 until 1972, winning six Stanley Cups, and compiling 572 points in 1030 regular-season games.
Thirty-four years after stepping off the ice for the final time, Duff was part of the 2006 Hockey Hall-of-Game class, one that was led by goaltender Patrick Roy.
There was considerable discussion that day whether or not Duff deserved to be there. That is an argument for another day; what his induction illustrates is that a good player from the past is never truly out-of-the HOF picture. There is hope for the Rogie Vachon’s and Kevin Lowe’s of the game.
Taking a glance at the list, there’s no doubt the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Nicklas Lidstrom, Dominik Hasek, Scott Niedermayer, and Joe Sakic will be first ballot Hall of Famers. They are listed, along with more marginal candidates, as possible Hall-of-Famers, though we all know the names listed above are pretty much guaranteed to be enshrined in the near future.
As for the other names in that category, consider this. Who knew that a young Steve Shutt, he of eight goals in his rookie season, would one day be in the Hall? It’s probably safe to assume that the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne, and Chris Pronger have already accomplished enough in their NHL careers to make the cut. The same can probably be said of Sidney Crosby, after only six seasons, if one projects the next decade of his career.
But what about players such as Evgeni Malkin, or Dan Boyle, or Chris Osgood?
How about veterans such as Doug Weight, or Bill Guerin, or Mark Recchi?
To avoid making subjective judgments, only players already in the Hall-of-Fame are factored into the equation.
One thing that can be said, since the NHL expanded over forty years ago, every Stanley Cup winning team had at least one Hall-of-Famer in their lineup.
Considering that there were only six teams in the league for twenty-five straight years, one would most likely find a Hall-of-Famer on every one of those championship teams.
Keep all this in mind when your team magically makes a deep run in the playoffs. Somewhere in that cobbled together roster, is there a future Hall-of-Famer lurking?
There’d better be.
(This list does not include coaches or general managers, only players).
2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks
Possible HOF’s – Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Brian Campbell, Marian Hossa
2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins
Possible HOF’s – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bill Guerin, Sergei Gonchar,
2007-08 Detroit Red Wings
Possible HOF’s – Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Pavel Datsyuk, Dominik Hasek, Chris Osgood, Henrik Zetterberg
2006-07 Anaheim Ducks
Possible HOF’s – Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf
2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes
Possible HOF’s – Rod Brind’Amour, Glen Wesley, Mark Recchi, Eric Staal, Doug Weight
2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning
Possible HOF’s – Dave Andreychuk, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle
2002-03 New Jersey Devils
Hall-of-Famer: Scott Stevens (1)
Possible HOF’s – Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Joe Nieuwendyk,
2001-02 Detroit Red Wings
Hall-of-Famers: Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Igor Larionov (4)
Possible HOF’s – Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Pavel Datsyuk, Dominik Hasek, Sergei Fedorov, Brendan Shanahan
2000-01 Colorado Avalanche
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Patrick Roy, Ray Bourque (2)
Possible HOF’s – Joe Sakic, Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg
1999-2000 New Jersey Devils
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Scott Stevens (1)
Possible HOF’s – Scott Niedermayer, Martin Brodeur, Alexander Mogilny
1998-99 Dallas Stars
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Brett Hull (1)
Possible HOF’s – Mike Modano, Ed Belfour, Joe Nieuwendyk
1997-98 Detroit Red Wings
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Steve Yzerman, Igor Larionov, Larry Murphy, Viacheslav Fetisov (4)
Possible HOF’s – Sergei Fedorov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Osgood, Brendan Shanahan
1996-97 Detroit Red Wings
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Steve Yzerman, Igor Larionov, Larry Murphy, Viacheslav Fetisov (4)
Possible HOF’s – Sergei Fedorov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Osgood, Mike Vernon, Brendan Shanahan
1995-96 Colorado Avalanche
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Patrick Roy (1)
Possible HOF’s – Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg
1994-95 New Jersey Devils
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Scott Stevens (1)
Possible HOF’s – Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Bill Guerin
1993-94 New York Rangers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Brian Leetch (3)
Possible HOF’s – Mike Richter, Kevin Lowe, Steve Larmer, Alex Kovalev,
1992-93 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Patrick Roy, Denis Savard (2)
1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Bryan Trottier, Larry Murphy, Joe Mullen (5)
Possible HOF’s – Jaromir Jagr, Tom Barrasso, Rich Tocchet
1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Bryan Trottier, Larry Murphy, Joe Mullen, Paul Coffey (6)
Possible HOF’s – Jaromir Jagr, Tom Barrasso, Rich Tocchet, Mark Recchi
1989-90 Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr (4)
Possible HOF’er – Kevin Lowe
1988-89 Calgary Flames
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Lanny MacDonald, Al MacInnis, Joe Mullen (3)
Possible HOF’s – Mike Vernon, Gary Roberts, Theoren Fleury, Joe Nieuwendyk, Doug Gilmour
1987-88 Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr (5)
Possible HOF’er – Kevin Lowe
1986-87 Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr (5)
Possible HOF’er – Kevin Lowe
1985- 86 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey (3)
Possible HOF’er – Chris Chelios
1984-85 Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey (6)
Possible HOF’er – Kevin Lowe
1983-84 Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey (6)
Possible HOF’er – Kevin Lowe
1982-83 New York Islanders
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies (5)
1981-82 New York Islanders
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies (5)
1980-81 New York Islanders
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies (5)
1979-80 New York Islanders
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies (5)
1978-79 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, Yvan Cournoyer, Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, Jacques Lemaire, Rod Langway (10)
1977-78 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, Yvan Cournoyer, Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, Jacques Lemaire (9)
1976-77 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, Yvan Cournoyer, Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, Jacques Lemaire (9)
1975-76 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, Yvan Cournoyer, Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, Jacques Lemaire (9)
1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bernie Parent, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber (3)
1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bernie Parent, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber (3)
1972-73 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Henri Richard, Jacques Laperriere, Ken Dryden, Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Lemaire, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Frank Mahovlich, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Steve Shutt (11)
1971-72 Boston Bruins
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk, Gerry Cheevers (4)
1970-71 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Laperriere, Guy Lapointe, Jacques Lemaire, Frank Mahovlich, Serge Savard, Ken Dryden (9)
Possible HOF’er – Rogie Vachon
1969-70 Boston Bruins
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk, Gerry Cheevers (4)
1968-69 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Laperriere, Guy Lapointe, Jacques Lemaire, Dick Duff, Serge Savard, Gump Worsley, Tony Esposito (10)
Possible HOF’er – Rogie Vachon
1967-68 Montreal Canadiens
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Laperriere, Dick Duff, Serge Savard, Jacques Lemaire, Gump Worsley (8)
Possible HOF’er – Rogie Vachon
The 1972-73 edition of the Montreal Canadiens leads the way with 11 Hall-of-Famers, even though that team is often overlooked in favour of the Habs’ dynasties from the late 1950’s, or the Scotty Bowman-coached teams from the late 1970’s.
Montreal is loaded with Hall-of-Famers, as will be the Detroit Red Wings, when the Hall gets around to inducting players as they become eligible. The 2001-02 Wings could end up having ten players in the Hall.
The 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins already have six players with Hall-of-Fame credentials, will certainly add a seventh in Jaromir Jagr, and Mark Recchi is making a solid case for his inclusion every time he takes to the ice.
Maybe not all that surprisingly, the New Jersey Devils boast the least amount of Hall worthy players. Defenceman Scott Stevens is the only one in at the moment, but without a doubt, they are preparing a place in the Hall for goaltender Martin Brodeur, and defenceman Scott Niedermayer. But is that it for the Devils, who effectively rode a team-first concept to three Cups?
The 1992-93 Canadiens only had two Hall-of-Famers, and the second, forward Denis Savard, got into the Hall mostly for his stellar play with the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1980’s.
That scenario is similar to the 1968-69 Canadiens, who had a plethora of legitimate Hall-of-Famers, though goaltender Tony Esposito was not one of them.
Make no mistake about it, Tony O is a legitimate Hall-of-Famer, but that’s for his great career in Chicago, not his rookie season in Montreal. Nonetheless, that year would be the only time the younger Espo would win the Cup, as he was on the roster for the Stanley Cup Final, so he’s counted as part of the total, even though it’s misleading.
For comparison’s sake, we’ve included the last NHL team to win the Stanley Cup before the 1967 expansion changed the landscape of the game.
That would be the Toronto Maple Leafs, who boasted a whopping twelve Hall-of-Famers.
Which brings up the chief criticism of the Hall, the impression that it’s relatively easy to gain access through their pearly gates.
Some point out the inclusion of Bob Pulford as a prime example of the old boy’s network at work. This might explain why so many Maple Leafs and Canadiens are in the Hall.
Even if one disregards Pulford, that team still had a glittering array of stars…even if most of them were greybeards by then.
1966-67 Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Hall-of-Famers: George Armstrong, Andy Bathgate, Johnny Bower, Dave Keon, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich, Bob Pulford, Al Arbour, Terry Sawchuk, Marcel Pronovost, Allan Stanley (12)
- Mick Kern
(if we missed a player, please advise us)
Tags: 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs, Hall of Fame Stanley Cups, Hockey Hall-of-game, potential Hall-of-Famers