How the Patriots can win without Tom Brady in 2021 Super Bowl

The Patriots have enjoyed Tom Brady for 19 seasons and 5 Super Bowl championships. They’ve won their league 11 times in a row and have gained a reputation as being nearly invincible.

But, 2019 was a change of pace, for the first time the Patriots do longer seemed invincible and they barely came close to the Super Bowl title. 

Tom Brady made the move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneersand will surely hope to make the Super Bowl this season. 

But, where does that leave the Patriots, should you be checking out free pokiesand put your money on Tampa Bay, or on the Patriots again?

Here’s why it could be worth bucking the trend and putting your money on the Patriots again.

Everything To Prove

For the first time in a long time, the Patriots are not the favorites for a division win. The 2021 season sees them as co-favorites. The Buffalo Bills are in with equally as good a shot. 

That simply means the Patriots have everything to prove, that’s a great incentive for upping the game and confirming that they’re a great team, even without Brady.

As an added bonus the final three games of the season will be against the main foes in their division, that’s going to give them a great opportunity to either seal the deal or create a last-minute surprise. With the right attitude, this should be more than possible.

The New Brady

Brady is an icon and a legend. But, he’s also in his forties and nearing the end of his playing days. The Patriots knew they only had him for a limited number of years and his leaving could turn out to be perfect timing. 

Cam Newton is currently on a one-year signing with the Patriots. He hasn’t played since 2018 due to a shoulder injury but, keeping COVID-19 aside, he has the potential to lift the Patriot’s game.

He’s known as one of the best running quarterbacks in the game. It will change the way the Patriots play, they’ll need to adopt a ground-and-pound approach. But, that change in style and tactics could be just what the team needs. In short, it will place opponents, still accustomed to Brady’s style, on the wrong foot. The Patriots will have an advantage.

Of course, if Newton doesn’t live up to expectations it’s likely Jarrett Stidham will step up, he has the potential to be the new Tom Brady.

The Team

One element that is easily overlooked is the rest of the team. Brady is amazing but he can’t win any Super Bowl without a solid team. The Patriots offensive and defensive elements work well together. That isn’t going to change with Brady’s departure.

Of course, it’s taken a shaky off-season for them to find their new groove. However, it is extremely likely that we’re going to see a lot more action centered in the defensive line, propelling their game forward. It’s generally considered as the base of the team and will be essential to driving the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the top rookie of the year in the NHL.  This time we stayed with hockey, with the Hart Trophy, which is their version of the MVP.

So how many Hart Trophy winners have made the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Hart Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Frank Nighbor, Ottawa Senators, Center: 11 G, 6 A, 18 P, 3.3 PS 1924        

The first Hart Trophy goes to the Ottawa Senators with Frank Nighbor, who prior to the win had led the Sens to two Stanley Cup victories.  Nighbor would be a one-time winner of the prestigious Hart, but he won the Lady Byng Trophy the next two seasons, and was third in voting in 1925-26.  The following year, Nighbor hoisted the Cup again. The Center’s last NHL Game was in 1930 after finishing up with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he would have 237 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Billy Burch, Hamilton Tigers, Centre: 20 G, 6 A, 26 P, 5.9 PS 1925    

In what turned out to be the last year of existence for the Hamilton Tigers, Billy Burch won the only Hart Trophy in franchise existence following a 20 Goal year.  Burch and the rest of the Tigers were upset that year that they were not compensated for the expanded season (24 Games to 30), and they demanded $200 compensation or they would not participate in the playoffs.  They did not get it, and the Tigers were disqualified.  The team basically folded, but the players were sold to a New York group forming the Americans.  Burch was heavily marketed in NYC, as he was born in Yonkers (but was raised in Canada), and he won the Lady Byng in 1927.  Burch would later play for Boston and Chicago and scored 196 total Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroons, Centre: 34 G, 8 A, 42 P, 11.8 PS 1926      

Perhaps because the team in which he did this is now defunct (the Montreal Maroons) the rookie year of Nels Stewart is not nearly as celebrated as it should be.  Winning the Hart in his rookie year, Stewart became the first player to do so, and he also was atop the NHL leaderboard in Goals (34) and Points (26).  He capped off this spectacular regular season by leading the Maroons to the Stanley Cup that year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952.

Herb Gardiner, Montreal Canadiens, Defense: 6 G, 7 A, 13 P, 7.7 PS 1927   

The Montreal Canadiens first Hart Trophy winner also was the first Defenseman to win this award.  Gardiner was technically a rookie, as he was playing in the Western Canada Hockey League for many years with the Calgary Tigers, and at age 35, he is one of the oldest players to win the Hart.  Gardiner only played a few more years in the NHL before finishing his playing career in the American Hockey League.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 33 G, 18 A, 51 P, 15.9 PS 1928        

Morenz was in his fifth season in the NHL (all with the Habs), and he had already won the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and was the Hart runner-up in 1924-25.  This season, Morenz was also third in Lady Byng voting, and he was the NHL-leader in Goals (33), Assists (18), Points and (Point Shares (15.9).  Morenz’ 15.9 Point Shares was the most by any Hart winner until Bobby Orr in 1970.

Roy Worters, New York Americans, Goalie: 16-12-10 Record 1.15 GAA, 8.2 GPS 1929   

Roy Worters played his first three years in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he was one of many players that the soon to fold Pirates sold due to financial problems.  Worters, who was the runner-up for the Hart the year before, won the Hart in his first season as a New York American and would have a career-best 1.15 GAA.  Worters would later win a Vezina and was a two-time Second Team All-Star.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroons, Centre: 39 G, 16 A, 55 P, 10.1 PS 1930 (2)        

Following his rookie year and Hart win, Stewart remained a top NHL Center, but he was not posting the same type of numbers.  This was not the case in the 1929-30 season, where he had what was a career-high 39 Goals.  Stewart was fifth in Hart voting the year after.  Stewart was bever in Hart consideration again, but he did lead the NHL in Goals again in 1936-37, a season split between the Boston Bruins and New York Americans.  Stewart’s NHL career ended in 1940, and he had 515 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 28 G, 23 A, 51 P, 10.5 PS 1931 (2)   

In between his first and second Hart win, Morenz had a 40 Goal year (1929-30) and was seventh in Hart Voting.  Last season and this season, he led Montreal to a Stanley Cup Title, and he was named a First Team All-Star, the first time that this was awarded.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, 8.2 PS 1932 (3)     

Morenz became the first man to win the Hart for the third time, and this would be his last.  Named a First Team All-Star this year, Morenz was a Second Team All-Star the year after, and he later played for Chicago and the New York Rangers before returning to Montreal in 1936.  He only played 30 Games in his return as he broke his leg, only to die from complications from blood clots.  Morenz scored 476 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 8 G, 27 A, 35 P, 9.8 PS 1933    

A Stanley Cup Champion with the Bruins in 1929, Shore was third in Hart voting in both 1927-28 and 1928-29 and was second in 1930-31.  This season, Shore was a First Team All-Star for the third year in a row.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Aurele Joliat, Boston Bruins, Left Wing: 21 G, 15 A, 36 P, 6.5 PS 1934 

This was Joliat’s 12^thyear in the NHL, and he would play his entire 16 seasons with the Canadiens.  The Left Wing had previously won three Stanley Cups, and was a Second Team All-Star this season as he was two years before.  The season before that, he was a First Team All-Star for what would be the only time.  After his Hart win, Joliat was a Second Team All-Star and he was fifth in Hart voting.  Joliat played until 1938, and he finished his NHL career with 463 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 7 G, 26 A, 33 P, 7.7 PS 1935 (2)        

Shore was a First Team All-Star for the fourth time and he was a Second Team All-Star the season before.  This would mark the first time a Defenseman repeated as the Hart trophy winner.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 3 G, 16 A, 19 P, 6.8 PS 1936 (3)        

Shore became the first Defenseman to win three Harts, this was his first back-to-back win.  Shore was a First Team All-Star for the fifth time.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Babe Siebert, Montreal Canadiens, Left Wing/Defense: 8 G, 20 A, 28 P, 3.1 PS 1937 

This was the twelfth of fourteen NHL Seasons for the versatile Siebert, who was the first player to win the Hart playing two positions (Left Wing and Defense).  Siebert was a First Team All-Star as a Boston Bruin the year before, and this was his second of three straight such honors.  Siebert, who had previously won two Stanley Cups (one with the Montreal Maroons and the other with the Rangers), was the second runner-up for the Hart the season after.  Siebert had one more NHL season, and he totaled 294 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 3 G, 14 A, 17 P, 6.3 PS 1936 (4)        

Shore’s win made him the first player to win the Hart Trophy, and this was the third season where he led the NHL in Defensive Point Shares.  Shore, who was a First Team All-Star for the sixth time, captured that honor again the following year where he was fifth in Hart voting and helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup.  Finishing his NHL career with a brief stint with the New York Americans, Shore had 284 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Toe Blake, Montreal Canadiens, Left Wing: 24 G, 23 A, 47 P, 5.7 PS 1939   

The Montreal Canadiens became the first team to have five different Hart Trophy winners, with Toe Blake’s lone win in 1939. The Left Wing played his first year with the cross-town Maroons before joining the Canadiens in 1935-36.  In 1937-38, Blake was a Second Team All-Star, and he won the Hart the year after where he led the NHL in scoring (47) and earned the first of what would be three First Team All-Stars.  Blake would later earn another Second Team All-Star and won a Lady Byng the same year.  Blake’s NHL playing career ended in 1948, and he scored 529 Points and won three Stanley Cups as a player.  He would later become the Head Coach of the Habs where he led them to eight more Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Ebbie Goodfellow, Detroit Red Wings, Defense: 11 G, 18 A, 29 P, 6.1 PS 1940      

Goodfellow became the first Red Wing to win the Hart, and the career-Red Wing accomplished this in his eleventh of what would be 14 NHL seasons.  The blueliner was a First Team All-Star for the second (and last) time, and he would score 326 career Points and win two Stanley Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.

Bill Cowley, Boston Bruins, Center: 17 G, 47 A, 64 P, 7.4 PS 1941      

Bill Cowley broke in with the St, Louis Eagles as a rookie, but that was the last year of existence for the Eagles, and Cowley was taken by the Boston Bruins in the Dispersal Draft.  Cowley’s skills improved as a Bruin and in 1938-39, he was a First Team All-Star, led the NHL in Assists, and led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win.  This year, Cowley was a again a First Team All-Star, and was first in Assists (47) and Points (64).  Cowley again took Boston to a Championship this year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Bill Cowley, Boston Bruins, Center: 27 G, 48 A, 72 P, 6.3 PS 1943 (2)

World War II took away a lot of the NHL talent, but Cowley was not one of them.  This season, Cowley won his third Assists title, was a First Team All-Star for the third time and he led the NHL in Power Play (9) and Game-Winning (6) Goals.  Cowley was a First Team All-Star the next two seasons, with him finishing second in Hart voting (1943-44).  Cowley was in the NHL until 1947, finishing up with the Bruins and he had 549 career Points in the same amount of Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Babe Pratt, Toronto Maple Leafs, Defense: 17 G, 41 A, 58 P 8.7 PS 1944     

Babe Pratt played his first seven years in the NHL with the New York Rangers, where the Defenseman won a Stanley Cup in 1940. Pratt was traded to the Maple Leafs during the 1942-43 season, and in the World War II depleted NHL, he had his best year ever winning the Hart and earning a First Team All-Star nod.  Pratt was a Second Team All-Star in 1945 and he helped anchor Toronto win the Stanley Cup.  He only played two more years in the NHL, the last as a Boston Bruin and he had 293 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 26 G, 45 A, 80 P 7.7 PS 1945      

This was the fifth season of Lach’s 14-year career, all of which was as a Montreal Canadian.  Lach’s Hart Trophy coincide with him leading the NHL in Assists and Points, and the year was sandwiched in between Second Team All-Star and Stanley Cup wins.  Lach would win two more Assists Titles, an Art Ross, two First Team All-Stars and another Stanley Cup before he retired in 1954.  He would score 623 Points over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Max Bentley, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 31 G, 30 A, 67 P 6.7 PS 1946    

It took until this year for a member of the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Hart, which certainly reflects the lack of success Chicago had up to this time.  Bentley was in his fourth NHL season, and he was coming off a Lady Byng win.  This season, Bentley led the NHL in scoring (61) and Power Play Goals (10), and he was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time.  Bentley was a Second Team the year after, and he would later win three Stanley Cups as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 31 G, 30 A, 67 P 6.7 PS 1947

We have another Hab who won the Hart, but for many, this is THE HAB.  Richard practically owned the Province of Quebec and he had already set the 50 Goal in 50 Games mark in 1944-45, as the game’s first 50 Goal Scorer.  He had also already led Montreal to two Stanley Cups, and he was the runner-up for the Hart in that 1944-45 campaign.  This season, Richard led the NHL in Goals again (43), and was a First Team All-Star.  While Richard never won another Hart, from the 1943-44 Season to the 1956-57 Season, he was either a First Team or Second Team All-Star.  He was second in Hart voting twice, was third three times, and he was a four-time Goal Scoring leader.  Richard also won six more Stanley Cups, giving him eight in total and he amassed 544 Goals over his career, which was spent entirely with the Canadiens. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Buddy O’Connor, New York Rangers, Center: 24 G, 36 A, 60 P 6.3 PS 1948

Buddy O’Connor played for Montreal in the six years before where he helped them win two Stanley Cups.  1947-48 was the first season for O’Connor in New York who was traded there in the summer, and he put forth the best year of his life.  He posted career highs in Goals (24), Assists (36) and Points (60), and O’Connor. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Sid Abel, Detroit Red Wings, Center: 28 G, 26 A, 54 P, 7.3 PS  1949   

Abel made his NHL debut in the 1938-39 and in 1941-42, he was named a Second Team All-Star.  The Center helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup the following season, and Abel missed the next two years due to World War II.  Abel returned in 1946, and in his Hart Trophy winning year, he was named a First Team All-Star while leading the NHL in Goals (28) and Power Play Goals (8).  Abel followed that with a second straight First Team All-Pro, a fourth place finish in Hart voting and helped Detroit win the Cup.  Abel won a third Cup in 1952, and played two final NHL seasons with Chicago, concluding a career with 472 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Chuck Rayner, New York Rangers, Goalie: 28-30-11, 12.3 PS  1950    

Chuck Rayner debuted for the New York Americans in 1940, and when the renamed Brooklyn Americans folded, Rayner left the NHL to serve Canada in World War II.  Rayner returned in 1945 as a New York Ranger, but like the Americans with whom he played before, the Rangers were not particularly good.  The Goalie had a three-year streak from 1948-49 to 1950-51, and his Hart win was in the center year of that run.  A knee injury ended his NHL run in 1953, and he while his record was a losing one (138-197-78), he kept many bad teams competitive.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Milt Schmidt, Boston Bruins, Center: 22 G, 39 A, 61 P, 7.0 PS  1951  

Playing his entire career with the Boston Bruins, Schmidt debuted in 1936, and would win the scoring title in 1939-40.  Before his Hart win, Schmidt was named a First Team All-Star twice (1940 & 1947) and won two Stanley Cups and had three top five Hart finishes.  In his Hart Trophy win, Schmidt was a First Team All-Star, which he followed by a Second Team All-Star with a fourth place Hart finish.  Schmidt played three more seasons in the NHL, and would have 575 career Points

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 47 G, 39 A, 86 P, 13.1 PS  1952     

This was the sixth NHL season for the legendary Gordie Howe, who had already won a Stanley Cup two years earlier. The Right Wing was a Second Team All-Star in both the 1948-49 and 1949-50 Seasons, the latter of which seeing him win his first Stanley Cup.  Howe was a First Team All-Star the year before, and this was his second one.  Howe was also on his second straight Art Ross Trophy win this year and would take Detroit to another Stanley Cup Title.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 49 G, 46 A, 95 P, 15.5 PS  1953 (2)

Following Howe’s first Hart Trophy win, the Right Wing won his third straight Art Ross, and in this year, Howe had a career high in Points with 95.  Howe was also on his third straight First Team All-Star and would win the scoring title the year after.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Ted Kennedy, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center: 10 G, 42 A, 52 P, 5.3 PS  1954

Playing his entire career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ted Kenendy was in his 13^thof what would be 14 NHL Seasons.  Prior to this year, Kennedy was a five-time Stanley Cup Champion, three-time Second Team All-Star, and he led the NHL in Assists in 1950-51.  Kennedy was a surprise winner for the Hart this year and with all due respect to Kennedy, this award was more the result of a “lifetime achievement award”, as statistically speaking there were better candidates.  Kennedy was also the first Hart winner in the era of post-season All-Star awards not to be named to either a First or Second Team.  He retired after the Hart win, but did briefly come back the year after only to retire again.  Kennedy left the sport with 560 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 47 G, 41 A, 88 P, 13.0 PS  1956       

The year before, Jean Beliveau established himself as a star, winning a First Team All-Star spot.  This season, the Center did it again, also capturing the Art Ross Trophy with 88 Points and leading the NHL in Goals (47).  In Beliveau’s first Hart Trophy win, he would win the first of what would be ten Stanley Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 44 G, 45 A, 89 P, 11.8 PS  1957 (3)

In between his second and third Hart Trophy, Howe led the Red Wings to two Stanley Cup Championships.  The man who was half-scorer and half/bruiser also had another First and Second Team All-Star in his resume, and this year he secured his fifth First Team All-Star.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 33 G, 44 A, 77 P, 8.8 PS  1958 (4)  

Howe made history in the NHL as the first player regardless of position to be a four-time Hart Trophy winner.  This also coincided with his sixth First Team All-Star Selection.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Andy Bathgate, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 40 G, 48 A, 88 P, 9.9 PS  1959    

Bathgate was in his seventh NHL campaign, which up until this time had all been with the New York Rangers.  Bathgate was a Second Team All-Star the year before and was also the runner-up for the Hart.  This season he was a First Team All-Star, and his 88 Points would be a career-high. Bathgate was again a First Team All-Star in 1962, and a Second Team All-Star in 1963, but he was traded the year after to Toronto where he won his first and only Stanley Cup.  Bathgate later played for Detroit and Pittsburgh, and a brief return in Vancouver of the WHA.  Overall, Bathgate scored 973 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 28 G, 45 A, 73 P, 7.4 PS  1960 (5)  

Who better than Gordie Howe to become the first Hart Trophy winner of the 1960s?  Howe was a Second Team All-Star in between his fourth and fifth Hart win, and he was the first player to be a five-time Hart Trophy winner.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 50 G, 45 A, 95 P, 11.6 PS  1961     

Bernie Geoffrion won the Calder Trophy in 1952, and he was a Second Team All-Star and Art Ross winner in 1954-55.  The Right Wing had to wait four more years before he was a post-season All-Star (Second Team in 1959-60), and this season he was finally a First Team All-Star, winning his second Art Ross and first and only Hart. Geoffrion also led the NHL in Goals (50), the second team he accomplished that feat.  A six-time Stanley Cup winner, Geoffrion played until 1968, with his last two years playing for the New York Rangers. Geoffrion scored 822 Points over 883 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Jacques Plante, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 42-12-14 Record, 2.37 GAA, 15.6 PS  1962       

Jacques Plante made history as the first Goalie in history to wear a facemask but this player was more than just a man who had a footnote in hockey history.  Plante was in his tenth season in Montreal where he won his sixth Vezina Trophy, and this was his third First Team All-Star win.  Already a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, Plante tied his career-high 42 Wins, and he won his sixth GAA Titles (2.37).  His 15.6 Goalie Point Shares, also tied his previous best. Plante played one more year with Montreal and two more with the Rangers for two years before he retired in 1965. Three years later, he came out of retirement with the St. Louis Blues where he won another Vezina.  He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971, where at age 42, he was a Second Team All-Star.  Plante finished off his career with stints with Boston and Edmonton in the WHA.  He had 437 career Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 38 G, 48 A, 86 P, 9.5 PS  1963 (6)  

In what would be the sixth and final Hart trophy win for Gordie Howe, the legend secured had a pair of Second Team All-Star Selections in between his fifth and sixth win.  Howe won the Art Ross for the final time in his career and he would later be named a First Team All Star four more times and a Second Team All-Star three more times.  Following his last Hart win, Howe had five more Hart Trophy top-five finishes.  He retired in 1971, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall the year after, but he would join his sons later in the World Hockey Association, where the HOFer was twice an WHA First Team All-Star.  Howe’s last year happened in 1980 when his Hartford Whalers were now in the NHL.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 28 G, 50 A, 78 P, 8.7 PS  1964 (2)    

In between Beliveau’s first and second Hart win, the Center would be named to four more First Team All-Stars, a Second Team All-Star and would help lead Montreal to four more Stanley Cups.  This season, Beliveau was a Second Team All-Star (Stan Mikita was the First Team Center), and even though he was getting older (32), he had a lot left to offer.  He played until 1971, winning five more Stanley Cups, earning two more Second Team All-Star selections, and won the Conn Smythe in 1965.  Beliveau played his entire career with Montreal and scored 1,219 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 39 G, 32 A, 71 P, 9.0 PS  1965         

The “Golden Jet” had better seasons before he won his first Hart Trophy, but this doesn’t take away from what was another good year by Bobby Hull.  Prior to this win, Hull led the NHL in Goals three times, won the Art Ross twice, and this was his fourth First Team All-Star Selection. Hill also won the Lady Byng this year for the first and only time in his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 54 G, 43 A, 97 P, 10.6 PS  1966 (2) 

Hull went to back-to-back in Hart Trophy wins, and he would again lead the NHL in Goals (54) and won his third and final Art Ross with a 97 Point year.  Hull was a First Team All-Star again, and he would be a ten-time First Team All-Star overall.  Hull also finished in the top five in Hart voting five other times.  In 1972, Hull stunned the hockey world when he signed with the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association, and he was a three-time First Team All-Star in that league.  He was still with the Jets when they merged with the NHL, and he finished off that year with a brief stint as a Hartford Whaler.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 35 G, 62 A, 97 P, 10.2 PS  1967          

Stan Mikita helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961 and this was his ninth year of what would be a 22-year run in hockey. Mikita had already been a First Team All-Star four times, and an Art Ross winner twice, and he repeated both of those honors while adding the Lady Byng.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 40 G, 47 A, 87 P, 10.0 PS  1968 (2)     

Like he did the year before, Mikita won the Hart, Art Ross and Lady Byng, marking the first time that a player did that back-to-back.  This was the last season that Mikita was named a First Team All-Star, but he would be a Second Team All-Star in 1970.  Mikita played until 1980 in a career spent entirely with Chicago accumulating 1,467 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, Center: 49 G, 77 A, 126 P, 15.1 PS  1969      

Phil Esposito’s 1968-69 season gave fits to the Chicago Blackhawks.  Why? Because they traded away the first man to score 100 Points in the NHL two years before.  Esposito did not just become the first player to get three digits, he shattered it with 126 Points!  He set a then record in Assists (77), and he also led the NHL in Plus/Minus (55).  Esposito was a Second Team All-Star the year before, was a First Team All-Star this season, and he added the Art Ross to that trophy case.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 33 G, 87 A, 120 P, 19.5 PS  1970

There have been Defenseman who won the Hart before Bobby Orr, but none of them revolutionized the position.  We will go one step further.  Orr rewrote the game of hockey.  In his fourth pro year, Orr won his third Norris Trophy, and he was the first Defenseman to score 100 Points, and the first to win the Art Ross.  He would lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win, while also being named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP.  As spectacular as this year was, the best was yet to come.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 37 G, 102 A, 139 P, 22.8 PS  1971 (2)   

Bobby Orr and the Bruins did not repeat as Stanley Cup champions, nor did he win the Art Ross, despite having 139 Points, a career-high, and the all-time record for a Defenseman.  What he did do was become the first player to have over 100 Assists (102), and he remains one of two players to do so (the other is Wayne Gretzky). Orr also became the first player to have at least 100 in Plus/Minus, and his +124 is the best all-time.  He would also set another record with 22.8 Point Shares, again making him the first player to have 20 in that category and it is also a number that has yet to be matched.  The more we look at this year, the more our jaws drop to the floor.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 37 G, 80 A, 117 P, 20.1 PS  1972 (3)     

Orr pulled the “three-peat” with the Hart, and of course, he won the Norris Trophy. This was also the third year for Orr where he led the NHL in Assists, and he would do so again in 1973-74 and 1974-75. Orr led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup, where he also grabbed his second Conn Smythe.  Over the next three seasons, Orr won his sixth, seventh and eighth Norris Trophy, and he was third for the Hart in all of those years.  He would win his second Art Ross trophy in 1974-75, and to date he was the first, last and only blueliner to win that honor.  A knee injury derailed his career, and he only scored 55 Points over his final three years in hockey, the latter two being in a Blackhawks uniform.  He was fast-tracked into the Hall, and there will never be another Defenseman like him again.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 37 G, 67 A, 104 P, 10.3 PS  1973        

For the first time, an expansion team had a player win the Hart when Bobby Clarke took it for the first of three times.  The Center, who had won the Bill Masterton Award the year before, was the Second Team All-Star behind Phil Esposito, but bested the Bruin as much of Philadelphia’s success this season was led by Clarke, but the best was coming for Philadelphia and the “Broad Street Bullies”

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, Center: 68 G, 77 A, 145 P, 17.0 PS  1974 (2)  

This was Esposito’s second Hart Trophy and had it not been for his teammate, Bobby Orr, he would have easily won at least another. In between his two Hart wins, Esposito won two Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies and he set what seemed at the time to be an unreachable mark of 76 Goals in a season.  That year was arguably better than this year, where Esposito won his fifth Art Ross Trophy, was a First Team All-Star for the sixth time, and was also the winner of the Lester B. Pearson.  Esposito was also the NHL’s Goal leader for the sixth consecutive season, and this was also the fifth straight year a Bruin won the Hart.  The charismatic Center was a Second Team All-Star the year after, and he was then traded to the New York Rangers where he played until he retired in 1981.  Esposito accumulated 717 Goals and 1,590 Points over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 27 G, 89 A, 116 P, 11.2 PS  1975 (2)   

In between Clarke’s first and second Hart win, Clarke was a Second Team All-Star, but more importantly his Philadelphia Flyers made history as the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. Clarke would take them to a second Cup this year, while earning First Team All-Star accolades for the first time. The man with the most famous missing front teeth led the NHL in Assists for the first time with 89.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 30 G, 89 A, 119 P, 11.7 PS  1976 (3)   

The Flyers did not win a third Stanley Cup, but Clarke repeated many of his regular season honors from the season before. The Center was a First Team All-Star, again led the NHL in Assists with 89, and he had a career-high in points with 119. Also, for the first time, he was first in the league in Plus/Minus with +83.  Clarke was the runner-up for the Hart the year after, and he played the entirety of his career with Philadelphia, retiring in 1984 with 1,210 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 56 G, 80 A, 136 P, 15.7 PS  1977  

The Montreal Canadiens were in year two of their four-year dynasty in winning Stanley Cups, and it was Gut Lafleur who was their offensive leader.  Lafleur, who also won his second straight Lester B. Pearson Award, captured his second Art Ross and third First Team All-Star Selection.  This would be the only season where he won the Conn Smythe as well as leading the league in Assists (80).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 60 G, 72 A, 132 P, 15.8 PS  1978 (2)      

Lafleur was named a First Team All-Star for the fourth of what would be six straight selections, and would also mark his third and final Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Award.  The Right Wing played with Montreal until he was forced to retire in the 1984-85 Season.  After being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, he came out of retirement for three seasons, one with the New York Rangers and two with Quebec.  He would retire for good in 1991, leaving the NHL with 1,353 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Center: 47 G, 87 A, 134 P, 13.6 PS  1979      

Bryan Trottier became the first player in Islanders history to win the Hart Trophy, and you could say it was the siren of what was to come for the franchise.  Winning the Calder three years before, Trottier was a First Team All-Star for the second straight year, though this would be the last time he would be one. Nevertheless, Trottier would help lead the Islanders to the four Stanley Cups (1980-83) and was a Second Team All-Star twice.  Trottier would later aid the Pittsburgh Penguins win their first two Stanley Cups. He would have 1,425 career Points in the NHL.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 51 G, 86 A, 137 P, 12.6 PS  1980        

Buckle up.  This is going to take a while as we begin to look at the most prolific Hart Trophy winner ever, Wayne Gretzky.  Along with three other WHA teams, the Edmonton Oilers joined the NHL, and with them was Wayne Gretzky, who had only played one year of professional hockey but was already “The Great One”.  In his first NHL year, Gretzky led the NHL in Assists (86) and was a Second Team All-Star behind Marcel Dionne, who beat him for the Art Ross (they tied in Points, but Dionne had more Goals).  Gretzky also won the Lady Byng this year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 51 G, 86 A, 137 P, 14.3 PS  1981 (2)   

Gretzky might have had stiff competition in Marcel Dionne for the Hart in 1980, but this year he erased all doubt.  The Center built on his numbers from the previous year, and he became the second player to accumulate over 100 Assists, with 109, a new record.  He missed out on the Art Ross last year, but not this season, winning his first, and along with it, his first First Team All-Star Selection.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 92 G, 120 A, 212 P, 19.7 PS  1982 (3)

92 Goals.  When Phil Esposito lit the lamp 76 times, that record seemed unbreakable, but this year, Gretzky had 92 Goals and hit the 50 Goal mark after only 39 Games! Not only the Gretzky set new records in Goal scoring, he broke his own Assists mark (120), and broke the 200 Point plain with his personal best 212.  Gretzky also for the first time was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+80).  This was Gretzky’s second Art Ross and First Team All-Star, but for the first time he won the Lester B. Pearson Award, meaning his peers could no longer deny his talent.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 71 G, 125 A, 196 P, 18.0 PS  1983 (4)

Gretzky was again an offensive juggernaut, and for the third year in a row, he broke the single-season Assists mark.  He repeated the awards he won last year, with an Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson and First Team All-Star, but this year he led the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup appearance.  They lost to the New York Islanders, but we knew was set to come.  Notably, Gretzky became the first player to win the Hart four years in a row.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 87 G, 118 A, 205 P, 19.6 PS  1984 (5)

Imagine having a season where you score 87 Goals, 118 Assists and 205 Points, and none of those are personal highs.  Gretzky was just that good.  This was Gretzky’s fifth straight Hart (becoming the first to do have five straight), and he also won his fourth Art Ross and First Team All-Star, and he captured his third Lester B. Pearson Award.  The coup de gras for Gretzky was leading Edmonton to their first Stanley Cup win.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 73 G, 135 A, 208 P, 19.6 PS  1985 (6)

Gretzky matched his idol’s (Gordie Howe) mark in Hart wins, but unlike Howe, Gretzky did it in six consecutive years.  This would be the fourth straight year the Gretzky led the NHL in Goals, and he also set a career-high in Plus/Minus with +100.  In regards to his trophy case, Gretzky repeated as the Art Ross winner, Lester B. Pearson winner and First Team All-Star, but this time he added a new award, the Conn Smythe Trophy, as the Oilers won their second Stanley Cup.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 52 G, 163 A, 215 P, 17.0 PS  1986 (7)

Seven straight years.  Seven Hart Trophies.  A new record for obtaining Hockey’s greatest individual honor.  As what was typical for Gretzky, he set another record this season with the most Assists and Points in a season, and does it look like this record has any chance of being broken. Gretzky once again was a First Team All-Star and won the Art Ross again.  Sadly, for the Oilers, they were upset along the way in the playoff by the Calgary Flames.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 62 G, 121 A, 183 P, 17.6 PS  1987 (8)

Gretzky did it again with an unprecedented eighth Hart Trophy, and he did so while collecting yet another First Team All-Star and Art Ross while leading the NHL in Goals for the fifth and final time.  Gretzky took the Oilers to their third Stanley Cup win, and he would also win the Lester B. Pearson for the fifth and final time.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 70 G, 98 A, 168 P, 16.2 PS  1988   

How do you break an eight-year streak of Hart Trophies by a legend?  By inserting a legend.  Mario Lemieux brought the Pittsburgh Penguins their first Hart Trophy winner, and playing at Center, he did the unthinkable by unseating Gretzky as the First Team All-Star.  Lemieux led the NHL in Goals for the first time, and this year he also notched his first Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Award.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, Center: 54 G, 114 A, 168 P, 14.1 PS  1989 (9)        

Gretzky did not win the Hart the year before, which turned out to be the last one in an oilers uniform.  He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, and this was his first year playing in California, where in his ninth (and final) Hart, he also became the first player to win the Hart for two different teams.  This season, Gretzky was a Second Team All-Star (behind Mario Lemieux).  Gretzky went on to win three more Art Ross Trophies, one more First Team All-Star, four more Second Team All-Stars and four Lady Byngs.  After a brief stint with St. Louis in 1996 and three final years with the Rangers, Gretzky retired as the all-time leader in Goals (894), Assists (1,963) and Points (2,857).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 45 G, 84 A, 129 P, 11.3 PS  1990  

The Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, which meant that Mark Messier would become the Oilers’ leader. Messier did what Gretzky couldn’t without the other…win the Stanley Cup.  Messier’s 129 Points were a career-high, and he was named a First Team All-Star this year.  What Messier this season should be celebrated a lot more than it is.

Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues, Right Wing: 86 G, 45 A, 131 P, 15.4 PS  1991   

Brett Hull led the NHL in Goals for three seasons in a row, and in all three of them, he had at least 70.  This was Hull’s highwater mark, and he would also secure the Lester B. Pearson Award.  A three-time First Team All-Star, Hull later won a Stanley Cup as a Dallas Star in 1999 and a Detroit Red Wing in 2002.  Retiring in 2006, Hull had 527 career Goals.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Mark Messier, New York Rangers, Center: 35 G, 72 A, 107 P, 9.9 PS  1992 (2)      

Messier followed his former teammate, Wayne Gretzky, as a Hart Trophy winner for two different teams.  Messier was now the leader of the Rangers, and he was also the winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award and a First Team All-Star.  Messier’s leadership would take the Rangers to a 1994 Stanley Cup, and he was so good at that role, that the National Hockey League would create a “Mark Messier Leadership Award”.   When he retired, Messier scored 1,887 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 69 G, 91 A, 160 P, 16.2 PS  1993 (2)        

Before we get to what Lemieux accomplished this season, Lemieux probably should have won the Hart in Gretzky’s last Hart win. The French Canadian was the First Team All-Star, and he was one Point shy of 200 with 85 Goals.  Nevertheless, Lemieux went on to win the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup, and injuries prevented him from full seasons, which kept the Hart from his grabs.  This year, he only played 60 Games, but he won the Art Ross with 160 Points and led the NHL in Plus/Minus (+55).  Lemieux would also win the Lester B. Pearson, was a First Team All-Star and he was the Bill Masterton Award winner.  Why did he only play 60 Games?  Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet came back to finish the season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings, Center: 56 G, 64 A, 120 P, 13.8 PS  1994      

Making history as the first non-Canadian and first European to win the Hart, Sergei Fedorov was in his fourth NHL season and this was best statistical season by far.  Fedorov was a First Team All-Star, Lester B. Pearson and Frank J. Selke winner this year, and he would later win three Stanley Cups for Detroit.  The Russian later won another Selke Trophy and he would later play for Anaheim, Columbus and Washington.  Fedorov scored 1,179 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Eric Lindros, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 29 G, 41 A, 70 P, 8.8 PS  1995    

The Philadelphia Flyers gave an awful lot to get Eric Lindros, and while it might not have been worth it, it was still a Hart winner.  Lindros was a First Team All-Star this year as well as Lester B. Pearson Award winner in this strike-shortened year.  Lindros also won his only Art Ross this year, and he was a 1.14 PPG player over his 13 NHL Seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 69 G, 91 A, 160 P, 16.2 PS  1996 (3)        

Before we get to what Lemieux accomplished this season, Lemieux probably should have won the Hart in Gretzky’s last Hart win. The French Canadian was the First Team All-Star, and he was one Point shy of 200 with 85 Goals.  Nevertheless, Lemieux went on to win the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup, and injuries prevented him from full seasons, which kept the Hart from his grabs.  This year, he only played 60 Games, but he won the Art Ross with 160 Points and led the NHL in Plus/Minus (+55).  Lemieux would also win the Lester B. Pearson, was a First Team All-Star and he was the Bill Masterton Award winner.  Why did he only play 60 Games?  Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet came back to finish the season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie 37-20-10 Record P, 17.2 GPS  1997          

Dominik Hasek was already considered one of the best Goalies in Hockey, but this year he was elevated to the best player in the world. This season, Hasek won his third Vezina Trophy and earned his third First Team All-Star, and he was also named the Lester B. Pearson Award winner. Hasek was also first in Save Percentage for the fourth year in the row.  He also made history as the first Czech player to win the Hart.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie 33-23-13 Record P, 18.6 GPS  1998 (2)     

In terms of accolades, Hasek repeated his efforts of 1997 with a Hart, Lester B. Pearson, a Vezina and a First Team All-Star, and he again led the NHL in Save Percentage.  Hasek would later win two more Vezina Trophies.  In 1999, Hasek took Buffalo on his back and carried them to a Stanley Cup Final.  The Czech Goalie grew frustrated and asked for a trade, which he got when he was sent to Detroit.  He would win two Stanley Cups with Detroit and then played in Europe, retiring in 2011.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues, Defense 14 G, 48 A, 62 P, 14.8 PS  2000

Pronger debuted in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers in 1994, and two years later he was a St. Louis Blue and, on his way, to becoming a star.  A Second Team All-Star in 1997-98, and two years later he won the Hart and Norris and was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time.  Pronger was a Second Team All-Star again in 2003-04, and he joined the Edmonton Oilers as a Free Agent, but he was unhappy there and looked for a trade.  He was dealt to Anaheim and helped them win a Stanley Cup and was a Second Team All-Star in 2007.  Pronger played until 2012, with his last three years coming as a Flyer.  He would accumulate 698 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, Center 54 G, 64 A, 118 P, 15.9 PS  2001

Sakic was the first Nordiques/Avalanche player to win the Hart, which he did in his 13^thseason.  Sakic had a career-high 54 Goals, was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+45) and he was also the winner of the Lady Byng and the Lester B. Pearson Award.  This year, Sakic and the Avs won the Stanley Cup, which was their second, having won it in 1996.  The Center was also named a First Team All-Star, and would be again in two of the next three years.  Sakic played his entire career with Quebec/Colorado, retiring in 2009 with 1,641 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche, Center 29 G, 77 A, 106 P, 13.6 PS  2003

A Calder winner in 1995, Forsberg had already won two Stanley Cups and was already twice a First Team All-Star.  This year, Forsberg was a First Team All-Star for the third and final time, and he was the league-leader in Assists (77), Points (106) and Plus/Minus (+52).  He would later play for Philadelphia, Nashville and Colorado before retiring in 2011 with 885 Points in 708 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, Right Wing 38 G, 56 A, 94 P, 13.2 PS  2004

It was a breakout campaign for St. Louis who was in his sixth season, and fourth in Tampa Bay after playing for Calgary in seasons one and two.  St. Louis became the first Lightning player to win the Hart, and he also won the Art Ross, was a First Team All-Star and was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+35).  St. Louis led Tampa to the Stanley Cup that year. After this year, St. Louis was a Second Team All-Star four times, won another Art Ross and would also win three Lady Byng Trophies.  He played until 2015, after a year and a half with the Rangers.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

The following are the players who have won the Hart Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Tom Anderson, Brooklyn Americans, Defense: 12 G, 29 A, 41 P, 6.0 PS 1942       

The New York Americans were rebranded the Brooklyn Americans for the 1941-42 Season, and the team was on life support. This would be the final year of existence for the Americans, and they produced an unlikely Hart Trophy winner in Defenseman, Tom Anderson.  If Anderson’s numbers seem high for a blueliner, he was also playing at Left Wing. Anderson first made the NHL in 1934 with the Red Wings, but he was with the Americans since 1935.  Following the folding of the Americans, Anderson returned to Canada (Calgary) to play semi-pro.  Anderson is not only the first player to win the Hart who is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame (we feel safe to say that he won’t ever) but was the first to win the Hart who never played in the NHL in the year after he won it.

Eligible since 1946.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Al Rollins, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie: 12-43-7 Record 3.21 GAA, 4.3 PS 1954   

Rollins was a Stanley Cup Champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs and he joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 1952.  The Goalie joined a bad team, and in this season, he led the NHL in Losses (47) but was the only reason that Chicago was even worse.

Eligible since 1956.  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 30-24-10 Record 2.11 GAA, 17.4 PS 1954

This was easily Jose Theodore’s best year in hockey, as not only did the Goalie win the Hart and the Vezina, it was the only time over his career where he finished in the top ten for those awards.  Interesting enough, despite winning both the Vezina and Hart, he was a Second Team All-Star at Goalie behind Patrick Roy.  Theodore played until 2013, and he was also a member of Colorado, Washington, Minnesota and Florida.

Eligible since 2016.  Ranked #184 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Hart Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Center: 29 G, 83 A, 113 P, 13.5 PS, 2010

Along with his twin brother, Daniel, Henrik Sedin played his entire 17-year career with the Vancouver Canucks, with his best season coming right in the middle of it.  Sedin led the NHL in Assists (83) and won his first Art Ross Trophy while earning First Team All-Star honors.  Sedin was a First Team All-Star the year later, and he finished with 1,070 Points.

Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the Hart Trophy who are still active.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, Right Wing 44 G, 83 A, 127 P, 14.6 PS  1998

This was Jagr’s ninth season in the NHL, and they were all spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Winning his third Art Ross Trophy, Jagr had career highs in Assists (83) and Points (127), and he was also the Lester B. Pearson winner, an honor he won twice more.  The two-time Stanley Cup champion would later play for Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida and Calgary.  Still playing in Europe, Jagr scored 1,921 Points in the NHL.

48 Years Old,Playing in Europe.

Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins & San Jose Sharks, Centre: 29 G, 96 A, 125 P, 13.3 PS 2006

In his seventh NHL Season, the Boston Bruins felt that Joe Thornton was not the leader they needed, and Thornton believed that the Bruins brass were not committed to winning.  23 Games into the 2005-06 season, Thronton was traded to San Jose, and he finished the season winning the Art Ross and leading the NHL in Assists.  Named a First Team All-Star this year, Thornton had two Second Team All-Star years after this one.

41 Years Old,Playing for the San Jose Sharks.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 36 G, 84 A, 120 P, 13.3 PS, 2007

“Sid the Kid” did not win the Calder, as that went to his longtime rival, Alex Ovechkin.  Crosby would however beat him to a Hart win, which he collected in his sophomore season. Crosby would also win his first Art Ross, was named a First Team All-Star, and his peers named him their MVP, when he won the Lester B. Pearson Award.  There was a lot more to come for Crosby.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 65 G, 47 A, 112 P, 17.2 PS 2008

Ovechkin won his first Hart Trophy in his third season, which was also the first by a Washington Capital.  A First Team All-Star in all of his seasons to date, Ovechkin also won the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Art Ross Trophy, and the Rocket Richard Award for his 65 Goals.  

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 56 G, 54 A, 110 P, 14.5 PS 2009 (2)

The Russian Center repeated most of his honors in his back-to-back Hart win.  Ovechkin repeated as the Rocket Richard winner, and was a First Team All-Star for his fourth consecutive season.  He would also win the Lester B. Pearson Award.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing: 50 G, 48 A, 98 P, 13.3 PS 2011

Perry won the Stanley Cup in his second season, and this, his sixth season in hockey was by far his best.  Perry won the Hart, was a First Team All-Star, the Rocket Richard winner, and the first ever Duck to win the MVP.  The Right Wing was a First Team All-Star again in 2014, and he played with the Ducks until 2019 where he joined the Dallas Stars afterward.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Dallas Stars.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 50 G, 59 A, 109 P, 13.4 PS 2012

The first three seasons for Evgeni Malkin was nothing short of stunning.  Malkin won the Calder in 2006-07, was a First Team All-Star in all three years, and was the Art Ross Winner in 2008-09, while winning the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe. Malkin’s two years after was riddled with injuries, but he made up for it in 2011-12 with a second Art Ross, and his first Hart.  Malkin was a First Team All-Star for the fourth time, and he also won the Ted Lindsay Award.  He would go on to win two more Cups with Pittsburgh.

34 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 32 G, 24 A, 56 P, 8.0 PS 2013 (3)

When Ovechkin won his second Hart Trophy in 2009, he was already established as the top goal scorer in hockey.  In his third Hart win for years later, nothing had changed.  Ovechkin led the NHL in Goals for the third time, and would over the next three years.  In 2018, he achieved the ultimate goal and led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 36 G, 84 A, 120 P, 13.3 PS, 2014 (2)

It was a seven-year gap between Crosby’s first and second Hart Trophy, but he accomplished a lot in that span.  Crosby won a Stanley Cup in 2009, and added another First Team All-Star (2013), a Second Team All-Star (2010), a Mark Messier Leadership Award (2010), a Rocket Richard Trophy (2009), and his second Lester B. Pearson (2013), which was now named the Ted Lindsay Award.  This season he collected another Art Ross, a Ted Lindsay, and a First Team All-Star Selection.  Crosby later won two more Stanley Cups with the Pens in 2016 and 2017.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Corey Price, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 44-16-5 Record, 1.96 GAA, 16.2 PS, 2015

This was the eighth NHL season for Price, who as of this writing has only played for the Montreal Canadiens.  Price led the NHL in Wins (44), Save Percentage (.933) and Goals Against Average (1.96), and he not only won the Hart, he also captured the Vezina, William M. Jennings, Ted Lindsay Award, and he was also a First Team All-Star. This is the only year that Price was a post-season All-Star.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 46 G, 60 A, 106 P, 15.0 PS, 2016

This was Kane’s ninth season in the NHL and the Chicago Blackhawk had already accomplished so much before his Hart win.  Kane won the Calder, and was already a two-time First Team All-Star, and a three-time Stanley Cup winner.  This season, Kane was a First Team All-Star for a third time, and also won his first Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award.  Kane has been a First Team All-Star for a fourth time and earned a Second Team All-Star.  He is already a member of the 1,000 Point club.

31 Years Old,Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 30 G, 70 A, 100 P, 12.8 PS, 2017

McDavid was in his second season, where he not only won the Hart, but was the winner of the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay.  This season also brought in the first of three First Team All-Stars and while he was not the Hart winner in 2017-18, he won the Ted Lindsay and Art Ross that year.

24 Years Old,Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils, Left Wing: 39 G, 54 A, 93 P, 12.2 PS, 2018

It could be argued that Hall’s Hart Trophy was a bit of a surprise as he while he was a very good player in his first seven seasons, a Hart was not pegged for him by many pundits.  This season he was also a First Team All-Star, and he brought the Devils their first Hart Trophy.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Arizona Coyotes.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, Right Wing: 41 G, 87 A, 128 P, 14.6 PS, 2019

Kucherov was in his sixth NHL season (all with Tampa) and he would win not only the Hart but his first Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award.  Kucherov was a First Team All-Star for the Second straight time and the year after he was a Second Team All-Star and led the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2020.

27 Years Old,Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 43 G, 67 A, 110 P, 12.8 PS, 2020

Draisaitl’s Hart Trophy win marked the first time that a German player won the most coveted individual award in Hockey.  Draisaitl was in his sixth season in hockey (all with Edmonton) and this year he also won the Ted Lindsay, Art Ross, and was a First Team All-Star.

25 Years Old,Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

For the most part, the Hart Trophy is a way to punch your ticket into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

So, what is up next?

We stay with the NHL and look at the trophy that means just as much as the Hart, and for some players, even more.  The Ted Lindsay Award, which is the MVP as voted by the players.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in the NFL.  This time we went back to hockey, with the Calder Trophy, given annually to the NHL Rookie of the Year.

So how many Calder Trophy winners have made the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Calder Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Carl Voss, New York Rangers & Detroit Red Wings, Center: 8 G, 16 A, 24 P, 2.8 PS 1933       

You could argue that we are starting this one with an asterisk, as Voss was not inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player, but as a builder for his work as an Administrator in various minor leagues of hockey.  Having said that, don’t sleep on his career as the American born-Canadian raised player was a great athlete, who prior to his NHL career won the Grey Cup in 1924 with Queen’s College and in the minors was a leading scorer (IHL in 1932).  Voss had played for the Toronto Maple Leafs for 14 Games in the late 20s, but he finally became a regular on the roster of the New York Rangers for in 1932.  Ten Games into the season, he was sold to the Detroit Red Wings, where he proved his worth in the NHL, and was the first ever rookie of the year.  Voss later played for the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Eagles, New York Americans, Montreal Maroons and Chicago Blackhawks, where in his final NHL game, he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal to seal the deal for the 1938 Title.  Forced to retire afterward due to a knee injury, Voss would begin his career as an administrator.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sweeney Schriner, New York Americans, Left Wing: 18 G, 22 A, 40 P, 4.5 PS 1935        

Sweeney Schriner goes down in history as the only Calder Trophy winner in the history of the New York Americans.  The Left Wing would lead the NHL in scoring the next two seasons, where he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star respectively. Later in his career, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he won two Stanley Cups and was again a First Team All-Star.  Schriner played until 1946, retiring with 407 Points in 484 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Syl Apps, Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre: 16 G, 29 A, 45 P, 6.1 PS 1937         

Apps played all of his career with the Leafs and in his rookie year, he led the NHL in Assists.  He did that again as a sophomore, where he was a Second Team All-Star, an accolade he repeated twice more.  Apps was also a First Team All-Star twice, a Lady Byng winner, and he was second in Hart Trophy voting three times.  The Centre helped to lead Toronto to the Stanley Cup three times and he scored 432 Points in 423 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Frank Brimsek, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 33-9-1 Record, 1.56 GAA, 11.3 GPS 1939

Frank Brimsek became the second American Goalie to win the Calder, but he shattered the overall success of his predecessor. The Minnesotan was the first player to win the Calder and the Vezina in the same year, and also the first to win the Calder and Stanley Cup in the same season.  He led all Goalies in Wins (33), GAA (1.56), Shutouts (10), and Point Shares (11.3), and he was named a First Team All-Star.  Brimsek would later win a second Vezina, was a First Team All-Star one more time, a Second Team, All-Star six times and won another Cup in 1941.  Brimsek would also play for the Blackhawks, and he retired with 252 Wins and a career 2.70 GAA.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Edgar Laprade, New York Rangers, Center: 15 G, 19 A, 34 P, 2.9 PS 1946   

Laprade played the entirety of his NHL career with the New York Rangers, which would span ten seasons.  A clean player, Laprade would win the Lady Byng in 1949/50, and he was seventh in Hart Trophy voting that year.  He scored 280 Points, which may not seem like a lot but he was also a skilled defensive forward.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Terry Sawchuk, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 44-12-13 Record, 1.97 GAA, 17.0 PS 1951  

The 1950/51 season began one of the most phenomenal half-decades that a Goalie ever had in the NHL.  Terry Sawchuk would not only win the Calder in his rookie year, he would also lead the NHL in Wins (44), Goalie Point Shares (17.0), and was a First Team All-Star.  Over the next four seasons, the Red Wings Goalie won three Stanley Cups, three Vezinas, two First Team All-Star Selections, two GAA Titles, and four more league-lead in Wins.  Following that incredible run, Sawchuk was still a very good Goalie, winning a Vezina in 1964/65, another Stanley Cup in 1967 with Toronto and two Second Team All-Star nods.  Over his career, Sawchuk also played for Boston, Los Angeles and New York, and he retired with 350 career Wins.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 30 G, 24 A, 54 P, 7.4 PS  1952       

Geoffrion led the NHL in Power Play Goals as a rookie (10), and he went on to have a long and prosperous career with the Canadiens. The French-Canadian went on to win six Stanley Cups, two Goal Scoring Titles, two Art Ross Trophies and the Hart Trophy in 1961.  Geoffrion scored 822 Points over a 883-Game career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gump Worsley, New York Rangers, Goalie: 44-12-13 Record, 1.97 GAA, 17.0 PS 1953   

Worsley did the best he could on a poor Rangers team, but the hockey world recognized that the “Gump” was a talented Goalie. Worsley played until the mid-70s, and he would win four Stanley Cups with Montreal where he was also a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.  Worlsey played into his mid-40s, where he the charismatic Goalie played for the Minnesota North Stars for his last four years.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Glenn Hall, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 30-24-16 Record, 2.10 GAA, 14.5 PS 1956         

How do you replace a legend like Terry Sawchuk? With a legend like Glenn Hall.  As a rookie, Hall was a Second Team All-Star, and he led the NHL in Shutouts (12).  Hall was a First Team All-Star in his second season, but despite this he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks after the season.  Hall played for Chicago for a decade where he won two Vezinas, was a First Team All-Star five times, and backstopped the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup win in 1961.  Hall joined the expansion St. Louis Blues in 1967 and immediately made them relevant, bringing them to three Stanley Cup appearances, and while they lost them all, Hall was the Conn Smythe winner in 1968.  He also won a third Vezina playing in St. Louis.  The Goalie played until 1971, and retired with a record of 279-229-107.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Frank Mahovolich, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 20 G, 16 A, 36 P, 4.9 PS 1958        

Nicknamed the “Big M”, Mahovolich had a decent rookie year, but would morph into one of the leaders of a powerful Toronto squad that won four Stanley Cups in the 1960s.  In this period, Mahovolich was a two-time First Team All-Star and four-time Second Team All-Star, and had two top-five finishes for the Hart. Following Toronto’s last Cup win in 1967, Mahovolich was traded to Detroit during the 1967/68 season, and he added a pair of Second Team All-Stars in Motown.  He later played for Montreal, where he won the Stanley Cup twice more with another First Team All-Star etched on his resume.  Mahovolich had 1,103 Points in the NHL, and he also had four pro seasons in the WHA where he scored 232 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Bill Hay, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 18 G, 37 A, 55 P, 4.9 PS: 1960         

Hay did well as a rookie, and played a significant role on the Chicago team that won the Stanley Cup the year after.  Hay eclipsed his 55 Point Rookie year three times and led the NHL in Assists per Game in 1961/62.  Hay played his entire NHL career with the Blackhawks, collecting 386 career Points.  We will count this as while Hay did not have a Hall of Fame career as a player, he was inducted as a builder for his work as the past President and CEO of the Calgary Flames and as the Hockey Hall of Fame Chairman.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 as a Builder.

Dave Keon, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 20 G, 25 A, 45 P, 4.2 PS: 1961     

After Keon’s Calder winning season, he became a core part of the Maple Leafs squad that won four Stanley Cups, so much so that he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1967 as the playoff MVP.  Keon would be a two-time Second Team All-Star, and he won the Lady Byng in consecutive seasons in 1962 and 1963.  Keon bolted for the WHA in 1975, playing for Minnesota, Indiana and New England, rejoining the NHL, when the Whalers were one of the four teams that merged with the senior hockey circuit.  Keon retired in 1982 with 986 NHL Points and 291 WHA Points..

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Jacques Laperriere, Montreal Canadiens, Defenseman:  2 G, 28 A, 30 P, 6.7 PS: 1964

Laperriere had a great rookie campaign as he not only won the Calder but was named a Second Team All-Star.  Playing all 12 years of his NHL career with the Habs, the Defenseman was a First Team All-Star the two years after his rookie season, and was the Norris Trophy winner in 1965/66.  Laperriere helped Montreal win five Stanley Cups, and was a one-time leader in Plus/Minus.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defenseman:  13 G, 28 A, 30 P, 6.7 PS: 1964

Orr was a Second Team All-Star in his rookie season and was third in Norris Trophy voting.  It was a good year, but it did not accurately foreshadow what Orr would accomplish.  Over the next eight seasons, Orr was an annual First Team All-Star and Norris Trophy winner.  He won three straight Hart Trophies (1970-72), two Stanley Cups, and was the first Defenseman to lead the NHL in scoring; which he did twice!  Orr transformed what Defenseman could do, and some will argue that he is not just the greatest blueliner of all-time, but the best hockey player ever!  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Tony Esposito, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie:  38-17-8 Record, 2.17 GAA, 14.7 GPS: 1970

Esposito played 13 Games the previous year with the Montreal Canadiens and the Blackhawks claimed him in the Intraleague Draft (basically, waivers).  Esposito had a monster rookie year where he led the NHL in Wins (38), Save Percentage (.932) and Shutouts (15) and he was a First Team All-Star and a Vezina Trophy win. Esposito played his entire career with Chicago and he went on to win two more Vezina, two First Team All-Stars and two Second Team All-Stars.  The Goalie would have 302 career Wins.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres, Centre:  38 G, 34 A, 72 P, 6.5 GPS: 1971

Perreault was the first Buffalo Sabre to win the Calder, and two years later he won the Lady Byng.  The French-Canadian played his entire career with Buffalo where he was a two-time Second Team All-Star and exceed the 100 Point mark twice. Perreault scored 1,326 Points over 1,191 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie:  39-8-15 Record, 2.24 GAA, 15.0 GPS: 1972

Dryden did this backwards, as he was already a legend BEFORE he completed his rookie year.  Late in the 1970/71 season, he replaced the injured Rogie Vachon, and he was astounding.  Dryden backstopped the Habs to a Stanley Cup win where he won the Conn Smythe, thus becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe before the Calder.  In that Calder Trophy winning season, he was a Second Team All-Star, the runner-up for the Hart and the league-leader in Wins (39). Dryden played until 1979 where he led the NHL three more times in Wins, five First Team All-Stars, five Vezinas, and five more Stanley Cups.  Dryden was the top Goalie of the 1970s and he had a career record 258-57-74 with a 2.24 GAA.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Denis Potvin, New York Islanders, Defenseman:  17 G, 37 A, 54 P, 8.7 PS: 1974

Easily the best Defenseman in Islanders history, Potvin was the first player in Long Island to win the Calder and he was the first building block that would become the Islanders dynasty in the early 1980s. Potvin played all 15 years of his career with New York, was a First Team All-Star five times, two Second Team All-Stars and won three Norris Trophies.  He scored 1,052 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Centre:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1976

Above was the first piece of the Islanders dynasty, Denis Potvin.  Here is the second one, Bryan Trottier.  The Centre set a then record for rookies with 95 Points, and he would become one of the top scorers in the NHL.  Trottier would win the Hart and Art Ross in 1978/79, and the year after he won the Conn Smythe in New York’s first of four straight Stanley Cups.  A two-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Star, Trottier played the late stages of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won two Stanley Cups as an elder statesman.  Trottier scored 524 Goals and 1,425 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mike Bossy, New York Islanders, Right Wing:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1976

This of this for a second.  With the Calder win of Bossy, there were three Islander Calder winners in a five-year period, all of whom would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Is it any wonder that this trio led the Islanders a four-Cup dynasty?  Bossy was the first Calder winner to net over 50 Goals, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Bossy went on to win two Goal-scoring titles, five First Team All-Stars, three Lady Byngs and a Conn Smyth.  Injuries forced him out at the age of 30, but he still retired with 573 Goals and 1,126 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins, Defenseman:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1980

Bourque was a First Team All-Star as a rookie, and he earned that honor 12 more times in his career.  Also, a three-time Second Team All-Star, Bourque won the Norris Trophy five times, and he NEVER had a year where he did not finish at least seventh in voting.  Bourque was Boston hockey for nearly two decades, but he never won the Stanley Cup as a Bruin.  In what would be his penultimate NHL season, Bourque was traded to Colorado to chase the Holy Grail of Hockey.  The season after that trade, Bourque and the Avalanche won the Cup, and as happy as Denver was, Boston fans were just as happy for their beloved former star.  In a 21-year career, the Montreal native scored 1,579 Points, the most ever by a Defenseman.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Peter Stastny, Quebec Nordiques, Centre:  39 G, 70 A, 109 P, 8.6 PS: 1981

This was a groundbreaking Calder Trophy win. Peter Stastny was the first Quebec Nordique/Colorado Avalanche to win, the first from a former WHA team to win, the first to score over 100 Points, but most importantly, he was the first European to win the Calder.  Stastny was a superstar for the Czechoslovakian National Team and he defected to Canada to play for the Nordiques.  Stastny had six more 100 Point years (all with Quebec) and had 1,239 over his 15 NHL seasons.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Dale Hawerchuk, Winnipeg Jets, Centre:  45 G, 58 A, 103 P, 8.6 PS: 1981

From one former WHA team to another we go from Quebec City to Winnipeg, with Dale Hawerchuk, the first superstar for the team in their NHL era.  Hawerchuk had 103 Points as a rookie, and hit the three-digit Point mark five more times, all as a Jet.  Hawerchuk was a Second Team All-Star in 1984/85 and he was second behind Wayne Gretzky for the Hart.  Also playing for Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia, Hawerchuk scored 1,409 Points in 1,188 Games.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre:  43 G, 57 A, 100 P, 7.5 PS: 1985

Mario Lemieux is a player who saved an NHL franchise twice.  The first was in his Calder season where he instantly lived up to the hype, and became at one time the best player in the league.  Remember, this was no small task, as it was Wayne Gretzky who he had to dethrone.  Lemieux captured the Hart Trophy three times, the Art Ross six times, and was a First Team All-Star five times.  Lemieux took the Pens to two Stanley Cup wins, he overcame cancer, and then he saves the team again.  With the Penguins in financial despair, he worked out the remaining money owed to him and worked out a deal to buy the team.  He played again, becoming the first owner/player in the modern era, and as an owner he won three more Cups.  Lemieux scored 1,723 Points in 915 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings, Left Wing:  45 G, 39 A, 84 P, 6.8 PS: 1985

Robitaille was a Second Team All-Star as a rookie, and he would be a First Team All-Star five of the next six seasons.  The Left Wing exceeded the 100 Point plateau four times and while he played most of his career with Los Angeles, he won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.  Robitaille also played for the Penguins and the Rangers, and he scored 1,394 career Points, 1,154 of which as a King.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Joe Niewendyk, Calgary Flames, Centre:  51 G, 41 A, 92 P, 8.7 PS: 1988

It is possible to claim that Nieuwendyk’s Calder winning season was his best regular season in hockey.  He scored 51 Goals, his career-best and he tied that mark as a sophomore.  Nieuwendyk also was first in Power Play Goals as a rookie.  If it is in fact the case that Nieuwendyk never matched his skill level in his first two years like other Calder winners, the Centre did however remain at a high tier for years and he amassed a long career where he scored 1,126 Points.  Niewendyk helped take Calgary to a Stanley Cup win in 1989 and later in a renaissance performance in 1999, he won the cup again as a Dallas Star where he won the Conn Smythe.  He also played for New Jersey, Toronto and Florida.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Brian Leetch, New York Rangers, Defense:  23 G, 48 A, 71 P, 9.0 PS: 1989

One of the best American Defenseman in hockey history, Leetch was also the best blueliner in the team history of the New York Rangers.  With New York, Leetch was a two-time Norris Trophy winner, was a two-time First Team All-Star and a three-time Second Team All-Star.  These were great things to put in a trophy case, but it was the Conn Smythe Trophy he won when he anchored that Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup. Leetch would play until 2006 and scored 1,028 Points, 981 of which were as a Ranger.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Sergei Makarov, Calgary Flames, Right Wing:  24 G, 62 A, 86 P, 6.8 PS: 1990

It was not that Sergei Makarov did not deserve the Calder.  Statistically speaking, he did.  The backlash was that he as 31 Years Old, and a top flight player from the Soviet Red Army, so his experience level was through the roof.  Makarov is the only player to win the Calder Trophy, who did so AFTER his peak.  He played in the NHL until 1997 with 384 career Points.  Makarov entered the Hockey Hall but it was mostly for his work in the former Soviet Union.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie:  43-19-7 Record, 2.47 GAA, 14.0 GPS: 1991

Belfour’s rookie season would not just see him win the Calder, as he was also the Vezina Trophy winner, William M. Jennings winner, and a First Team All-Star.  Belfour led all the Goalies in Wins (43), Saves (1,713), Save Percentage (.910) and Goals Against Average (2.47).  Belfour went on to win another Vezina, three more Jennings, a First Team All-Star, a Second Team All-Star and a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars.  The Goalie also played for San Jose, Toronto and Florida.  Belfour had a career record of 484-320-126.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Pavel Bure, Vancouver Canucks, Right Wing:  34 G, 26 A, 60 P, 5.7 PS: 1992

After a good rookie year, Bure but up back-to-back 60 Goal years, the second one being good enough to lead the NHL, and land him a First Team All-Star nod.  Bure later played for Florida, where he had two more league-leading seasons in Goals, both of which were Second Team All-Star worthy.  Bure finished his NHL career in 2003, and he had 779 Points in only 702 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Teemu Selanne, Winnipeg Jets, Right Wing:  76 G, 56 A, 132 P, 13.4 PS: 1993

A case can be made that Teemu Selanne’s debut season was the best ever by a non-Gaolie.  Selanne set a rookie record with 76 Goals, and he was a First Team All-Star.  Selanne never matched that total, but he had a long and fruitful career, where he led the NHL twice more in Goals, was a First Team All-Star a second time, was a two-time Second Team All-Star, and a Stanley Cup Champion with the Ducks. Selanne also played for San Jose and Colorado, and would score 1,457 Points over his 21-year career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, Goalie:  27-11-8 Record, 8.9 GPS: 1994

The career of Martin Brodeur is nothing short of outstanding.  Following his Calder win, he captured three Stanley Cups, four Vezina Trophies, five William M. Jennings Trophies, and was a three-time First Team and Second Team All-Star.  Brodeur led the NHL in Wins nine times, and was the league-leader in GAA once.  When Brodeur retired, he had the “W” 691 times, more than anyone Goalie. And he is also the all-time leader in Saves (28,928), Shutouts (125) and Minutes Played (74,439).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Peter Forsberg, Quebec Nordiques, Centre:  15 G, 35 A, 50 P, 5.0 GPS: 1995

Eric Lindros refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques when they drafted him and after sitting out a year, Quebec traded him to Philadelphia for a glut of picks, players and the rights to a Swedish Center named Peter Forsberg.  We can argue that Forsberg was the best player in the transaction.  Forsberg went on to help Colorado (Quebec relocated) win two Stanley Cups and individually he won the Hart and Art Ross Trophy in 2002/03. He was also a three-time First Team All-Star and he retired with 885 Points in only 708 Games.  Forsberg also played for Philadelphia and Nashville.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

The following are the players who have won the Calder Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Russ Blinco, Montreal Maroons, Center: 14 G, 9 A, 23 P, 4.1 PS 1934

Unless the Montreal Maroons are suddenly resurrected, Russ Blinco will be the only member of this long defunct franchise to win the Calder.  Blinco would help the Maroons win the Stanley Cup the following year, where he was also the runner-up for the Lady Byng.  He played for Montreal three more years, and had one more season with the Chicago Blackhawks before he retired.  Blinco had 125 Points over his six-year career.

Eligible since 1942.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Karakas, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie: 21-19-8 Record, 1.85 GAA, 9.5 GPS 1936  

Karakas made history as the first American born and raised to win the Calder, and he was also the first Goalie to win the award. For that matter, he was also the first American born and raised Goalie in the NHL.  Karakas would play until 1946, with all but five of his games played in a Chicago uniform.  He won a Stanley Cup in 1938.

Eligible since 1949.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cully Dahlstrom, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 10 G, 9 A, 19 P, 1.3 PS 1938        

Dahlstrom made it back-to-back for American born Calder winners, and the Centre would play his entire eight-year career with the Blackhawks.  The Calder would be the only individual honor that Dahlstrom would win on the professional level, but his name was etched on the Stanley Cup when Chicago won it all in 1938.  Dahlstrom scored 206 Points in 345 career Games.

Eligible since 1948.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kilby MacDonald, New York Rangers, Centre: 15 G, 13 A, 28 P, 3.8 PS 1938        

The sky might have seemed to be the limit for Kilby MacDonald, as he not only won the Calder Trophy, he also hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head in his rookie season.  That would not be the case for MacDonald, who never matched his rookie year, and was sent down to the minors shortly after before joining the Canadian Army. He made it back to the Rangers in 1943, playing two more years before going back to the minors.  MacDonald only had 79 career Points.

Eligible since 1948.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Quilty, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 18 G, 16 A, 34 P, 3.9 PS 1941    

Quilty’s rookie year was by far his best, as he never came close to these numbers again.  World War II would see Quilty leave the NHL for the Canadian Army, and he missed several years, returning for three Games in 1946-47.  He played only one more year in the NHL, splitting time between Montreal and Boston, but he was not playing at an NHL worthy level. A compound fracture of his leg resulted in his retirement, and Quilty would only have 70 career Points.

Eligible since 1951.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Grant Warwick, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 16 G, 17 A, 33 P, 3.0 PS 1942     

Like the previous two Calder winners, Grant Warwick likely won’t get into the Hockey Hall of Fame, however unlike those two individuals, Warwick did not peak as a rookie.  The Saskatchewan native would not miss time due to World War II, and he exceeded his rookie Point total six times.  Warwick would also play for Boston and Montreal in his career, and in 1955, he was the player/coach on the Canadian Team that won the World Hockey Championship.  The Right Wing scored 289 career Points.

Eligible since 1953.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gaye Stewart, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 24 G, 23 A, 47 P, 4.0 PS 1943      

After Gaye Stewart won the Calder (and the Stanley Cup), he went into the Canadian Military to serve in World War II.  The Left Winger came back for the 1945/46 Season and promptly built on his rookie year as if he never left, leading the NHL in Goals (37) was a First Team All-Star, and was the runner-up for the Hart. Stewart’s production dipped the following year, but he helped Toronto win another Stanley Cup.  After a poor start in 1947/48 he was traded to Chicago and rebounded with a Second Team-All-Star nod, which was the last one he had.  He would later play for Detroit, New York and Montreal, and had 344 Points in his nine-year career.

Eligible since 1956.  Ranked #145 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gus Bodnar, Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre: 22 G, 40 A, 62 P, 4.5 PS 1944    

Bodnar likely got an early opportunity to earn an NHL spot due to the World War II depletion of talent.  That might be why he never eclipsed his rookie totals, but he had a long 12-year career and won two Stanley Cup Rings (1945 & 1947) with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Bodnar also played for Chicago and Boston, and he would accumulate 397 Points.

Eligible since 1958.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Frank McCool, Toronto Maple Leafs, Goalie: 24-22-4, 3.22 GAA, 10.1 GPS 1945   

There may never be another player who won the Calder Trophy who had a career as brief as Frank McCool.  Playing at Goalie, McCool was the third straight Maple Leaf to win the Calder, and this year he backstopped Toronto to a Stanley Cup win. He played only 22 Games the following year, only to retire abruptly due to severe ulcers.  We can’t imagine another Calder winner with only 72 Games Played in his career.

Eligible since 1949.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Howie Meeker, Toronto Maple Leafs, Right Wing: 27 G, 18 A, 45 P, 5.3 GPS: 1947        

Meeker was the fourth Maple Leaf in five years to win the Calder, and his 45 Point year turned out to be the best of his career. Meeker would win the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and twice again in 1948 and 1951.  Meeker would go onto greater fame as a broadcaster in Hockey night in Canada as an analyst for over twenty-five years.  He would score 185 Points over 346 Games.

Eligible since 1958.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jim McFadden, Detroit Red Wings, Centre: 24 G, 24 A, 48 P, 5.7 GPS: 1948        

McFadden became the first Detroit Red Wing to win the Calder, and like so many before him, the Centre set personal bests in scoring (48) as a rookie.  McFadden won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1950, and he would also play for the Blackhawks.  His NHL career ended in 1954, and he would score 226 Points over seven seasons.

Eligible since 1957.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pentti Lund, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 14 G, 16 A, 30 P, 2.6 PS: 1949         

Here is something you wouldn’t think was true. The first Scandinavian born player to win a major individual award took place before 1950.  Granted, that player was Finnish-born Pentti Lund, who immigrated to Canada as a six-year-old, so it doesn’t count for the most part, but he was the first nevertheless.  Lund never won another accolade in the NHL, and he lasted a total of five seasons, three with New York and two with Boston.  He would score 77 Points in his career.

Eligible since 1956.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jack Gelineau, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 22-30-15, 3.28 GAA, 7.3 GPS: 1950  

Gelineau played four games for the Bruins in 1948/49 and took over as the top netminder for the Boston Bruins the following year, where despite the losing record, he had a good rookie year keeping the Bruins competitive.  Gelineau had an even better sophomore year, but when he sought a raise from Bruins ownership he was rebuffed.  Rather than stay in Boston, he returned to his native province of Quebec, where he played a few years in the provincial league for a few seasons, save for two games in 1954 with Chicago.

Eligible since 1956.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Camille Henry, New York Rangers, Centre: 24 G, 15 A, 39 P, 5.4 PS: 1954  

20 of Henry’s 24 Goals were on the power play, and it was enough to lead the NHL.  Henry struggled the next two seasons, and was demoted to the minors.  He returned to again lead the NHL in Power Play Goals twice, and in 1957/58 he was a Second Team All-Star and Lady Bing winner. Henry played most of his career with New York, finishing his professional run with Chicago and St. Louis. He would have 478 Points.

Eligible since 1973.  Ranked #201 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ed Litzenberger, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 23 G, 28 A, 51 P, 5.8 PS: 1955   

It was a unique rookie year for Litzenberger, who began the year as a Montreal Canadian, but was donated early in the season to the Chicago Blackhawks in an effort to help save the team from folding. Litzenberger played 29 Games that year in Montreal, scoring 11 Points, but he went on to have 40 Points in 44 Games to conclude the season in Chicago.  Litzenberger went on to have three 60-plus years with the Blackhawks, and would win four Stanley Cups; one with Chicago and three with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He retired with 416 career Points.

Eligible since 1967.  Ranked #190 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ralph Backstrom, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 18 G, 22 A, 40 P, 3.8 PS: 1959    

In Backstrom’s Calder Trophy winning year with the Montreal Canadiens, he was a member of the Stanley Cup Championship Team. Providing good two-way hockey for years, Backstrom won five more Cup with the Habs.  He would later play for Los Angeles and Chicago, before moving to the WHA with stints with Chicago, Denver, Ottawa and New England. Backstrom had 639 NHL Points and 253 WHA Points. 

Eligible since 1980.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Rousseau, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 21 G, 24 A, 45 P, 4.5 PS: 1962        

In his rookie year, Bobby Rousseau had four Short-Handed Goals, which was enough to lead the NHL.  Rousseau did not do that again, but he found a niche in the powerful Montreal Canadiens team that won four Stanley Cups in the 1960s. During his stint in Montreal, Rousseau was a Second Team All-Star and league-leader in Assists in 1965/66. When the decade ended, Rousseau was a Minnesota North Star for one season and a New York Ranger for four before retiring in 1975.  Bobby Rousseau Rousseau scored 703 Points over a 942-Game career.

Eligible since 1978.  Ranked #158 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kent Douglas, Toronto Maple Leafs, Defenseman: 7 G, 15 A, 22 P, 6.6 PS: 1963   

It took 30 years for the Calder Trophy to be awarded to a Defenseman, and again it went to a Toronto Maple Leaf.  A relatively late arrival to the NHL (he was 26), Douglas led the NHL in Defensive Point Shares as a rookie (5.1), but it would be the only time he would do so.  Douglas won the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and technically did two more times, but he was not on those post-season rosters, which reflects that his best season was as a rookie.  He would also play for Oakland, Detroit and the New York Raiders of the WHA.  

Eligible since 1976.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 40-22-7 Record, 2.42 GAA, 14.4 PS: 1965     

Roger Crozier did not just win the Calder, as he was a First Team All-Star, and the NHL leader in Wins (40), Shutouts (6) and Goalie Point Shares (14.4).  The Red Wings Goalie would take the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Finals the next season against the heavily favored Montreal Canadiens.  Montreal won, but Crozier was spectacular and he became the first Conn Smythe winner on a losing team.  Crozier’s career went downhill after, but he played until 1977 with stints in Buffalo and Washington.  He had a career record of 206-194-72.

Eligible since 1980.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Brit Selby, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 14 G, 13 A, 27 P, 2.0 PS: 1966

While there were many Calder winners who had much shorter careers than Brit Selby, it is hard to argue that he was the worst player to win the award.  With only 2.0 Point Shares in his Calder year (nearly half of his career 4.3), Selby was sent back to the minors and was not a member of the Leafs 1967 Stanley Cup win. The next year, he was a member of the expansion Philadelphia Flyers, and he would later play again for Toronto, St. Louis and the WHA’s Quebec Nordiques, New England Whalers and Toronto Toros.  He would have 117 career NHL Points and 74 Points in the WHA.

Eligible since 1978.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Derek Sanderson, Boston Bruins, Centre: 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, 4.8 PS: 1968     

After his good Calder year, Sanderson would have a long career (mostly with the Boston Bruins), and while he was a good player, the tough guy’s good looks and fame were much higher than his on-ice skill. He would help Boston win two Stanley Cups.  His hard-partying lifestyle held his career back, but he did score 452 Points in a career that also saw Sanderson play for the New York Rangers, St. Louis, Vancouver and Pittsburgh.  

Eligible since 1981.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Danny Grant, Minnesota North Stars, Left Wing: 34 G, 31 A, 65 P, 5.6 PS: 1969   

Grant played 22 Games the year before with Montreal, where he was a member of the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup Championship Team. He did not exceed rookie limits, thus was able for the Calder in 1969, though he was now a Minnesota North Star, as the Hans had traded him.  With this Calder win, Grant was the first Calder winner from an Expansion Team. Grant would go on to play in three All-Star Games, scoring 536 Points in a career that also extended to Detroit and Los Angeles.  

Eligible since 1982.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Vickers, New York Rangers, Left Wing: 30 G, 23 A, 53 P, 5.9 PS: 1973        

Vickers played his entire NHL career with the New York Rangers, and had at least 30 Goals in his first four seasons.  Two seasons after his Calder Trophy win, Vickers was a Second Team All-Star, and would score 586 career Points over a ten-year career.  

Eligible since 1985.  Ranked #247 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Vail, Atlanta Flames, Left Wing: 39 G, 21 A, 60 P, 6.1 PS: 1975   

In between the Calder wins of Hall of Famers, Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier was Eric Vail, the first of two Calder winners when the Flames were located in Atlanta.  Vail had a decent career with three 60-plus Point years in his career that generated 476 Points.    

Eligible since 1985.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willi Plett, Atlanta Flames, Right Wing: 33 G, 23 A, 66 P, 4.8 PS: 1977       

Plett became the second Atlanta Flame, and also the second Flame to earn the Calder in between future Islanders Hall of Famers (Trottier and Mike Bossy).  While Plett went on to score a respectable 437 Points in the NHL, he would be known more for his pugilistic skills, amassing 2,570 Penalty Minutes.    

Eligible since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Smith, Minnesota North Stars, Centre: 30 G, 44 A, 74 P, 5.0 PS: 1979       

A four-time All-Star, Smith had a good career, peaking with a 114-Point year in 1981-82.  The Centre had nine 70-plus years and would have a Stanley Cup win with the Montreal Canadiens in 1996.  Smith had 1,036 career Points in 1,077 Games.    

Eligible since 1985.  Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Larmer, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 43 G, 47 A, 90 P, 8.4 PS: 1983   

Larmer was with Chicago for all but his last two seasons, and the Right Wing would tie or exceed his 90 Point rookie year total tice more and from 1982/83 to 1992/93 he would also have at least 70 Points. Larmer accumulated 1,012 Points.

Eligible since 1998.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie: 26-12-3 Record, 7.5 PS: 1984   

Barrasso had a phenomenal rookie campaign where he not only won the Calder, he was a Vezina winner and First Team All-Star. The American Goalie was a Second Team All-Star and a William M. Jennings winner in his second season, and he was only 20!   Barrasso had a long career afterward, though he was never again won a Vezina. Barrasso would win two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, and he was also a Second Team All-Star there.  The Goalie also played for Ottawa, Carolina, Toronto and St. Louis and he had a career record of 369-277-86.   

Eligible since 2006.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gary Suter, Calgary Flames, Defense: 18 G, 50 A, 68 P, 8.0 PS: 1986  

Gary Suter was the first of two Calgary Flames to win the Calder in the 1980s (the other being Joe Nieuwendyk) and he was the first American blueliner to win the trophy.  Suter helped Calgary win the Stanley Cup in 1989, and the year before he was a Second Team All-Star.  Suter also played with Chicago and San Jose, and he would have 844 Points over his 17 NHL seasons.

Eligible since 2005.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing: 26 G, 35 A, 61 P, 5.3 PS: 1996  

Daniel Alfredsson was the first Calder winner for the Ottawa Senators, and is safe to say that he was the best player in the team’s resurrection.  Alfredsson was a Second Team All-Star in 2005/06, and he would also win the King Clancy and Mark Messier Leadership Award.  With the exception of his final season in Detroit, Alfredsson was a career Senator and he scored 1,157 Points in his career.

Eligible since 2017.  Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryan Berard, New York Islanders, Defense: 8 G, 40 A, 48 P, 7.6 PS: 1997   

Berard played ten years in the NHL, which was incredible considering he almost lost an eye early in his career.  That injury occurred early in his career, and impeded what could have been a great career.  Still, the Defenseman had 323 career Points and won the Bill Masterton Award in 2004.

Eligible since 2011.   Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins, Left Wing: 22 G, 25 A, 47 P, 5.5 PS: 1998         

From Moscow, Samsonov never ascended to superstar status, but this was a really good player for a long time.  The Left Wing played for Boston, Edmonton, Montreal. Chicago, Carolina and Florida and scored a respectable 571 career Points.

Eligible since 2014.  Ranked #282 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche, Centre: 20 G, 24 A, 44 P, 5.0 PS: 1999    

Two years after he won the Calder, Drury helped the Avalanche win their second NBA Title.  Drury was a good two-way player, and he also played for Buffalo and the New York Rangers over a 615-Point career.

Eligible since 2014.  Ranked #296 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Scott Gomez, New Jersey Devils, Centre: 19 G, 51 A, 70 P, 7.3 PS: 2000     

Gomez would win the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and again in 2003, both of which with the New Jersey Devils.  The Alaskan would also play for the Rangers, Montreal, San Jose, Florida, St. Louis and Ottawa with 655 career Points.

Eligible since 2019.  Ranked #249 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Evegeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks, Goalie: 32-21-7 Record, 11.7 PS: 2001

Nabokov became the first San Jose Shark and the first Russian Goalie to win the Calder.  Nabokov was a First Team All-Star in 2008, and would have a career record of 353-227-86 in a career mostly with San Jose.

Eligible since 2018.  Ranked #122 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dany Heatley, Atlanta Thrashers, Right Wing: 26 G, 41 A, 67 P, 6.8 PS: 2002      

Heatley will go down in history as the only Atlanta Thrasher to win the Calder.  He was the driver in an accident that killed his teammate, and needing a change of scenery, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators where he a one-time First Team and Second Team All-Star.  Heatley also played for San Jose, Minnesota and Anaheim and had 791 Points.

Eligible since 2018.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Barrett Jackman, St. Louis Blues, Defense: 3 G, 16 A, 19 P, 5.4 PS: 2003    

The Calder Trophy would be the only award that Jackman would win, or even receive a vote for, but this was stay-at-home defenseman who knew his role and did it well.  The Defenseman played 13 years with the Blues, and one final one with Nashville.

Eligible since 2019.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 29-18-9 Record, 2.05 GAA, 12.6 PS: 2004      

This was the best season of Raycroft’s career, and he only ever had one good year again, which was when he was with Toronto. Raycroft also played for Colorado, Vancouver and Dallas, and had a record of 113-114-27 upon retirement.

Eligible since 2015.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Calder Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets, 33-20-7 Record, 2.29 GAA, 11.2 GPS, 2009

In his rookie season, Mason was a Second Team All-Star, was the runner-up for the Vezina and was fourth in Hart voting. Mason never replicated that year, but did have a ten-year run where he also played for Philadelphia and Winnipeg. He retired with a career record of 205-183-64.

Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the Calder Trophy who are still active.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Centre: 52 G, 54 A, 106 P, 12.7 PS 2006

The Russian is easily the best European star of his generation and he was a First Team All-Star as a rookie.  Since that time, he has been a First Team All-Star five times and won the Hart three times.  The future Hall of Famer took the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018.

34 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre: 52 G, 54 A, 106 P, 12.7 PS 2007

Malkin was the second Russian Centre to win the Calder in a row, and how fitting is that Malkin played for Pittsburgh, a rival of Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.  Since his Calder win, Malkin has won three Stanley Cups, a Hart and two Art Ross Trophies.  He is already a member of the 1,000 Point club.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 21 G, 51 A, 72 P, 7.2 PS, 2008

Since his Calder win, Kane won the Hart Trophy and led Chicago to three Stanley Cups.  Kane is already a member of the 1,000 Point Club, has three First Team All-Stars, and an Art Ross Trophy on his mantle.

32 Years Old,Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres, Defense: 11 G, 37 A, 48 P, 9.8 PS, 2010

After that good rookie year, Myers has yet to replicate that success and his 48 Points and 9.8 Point Shares remain career-highs.

30 Years Old,Playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes, Left Wing: 31 G, 32 A, 63 P, 8.1 PS, 2011

Jeff Skinner has matched his rookie output of 63 Points twice but has yet to exceed it.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche, Left Wing: 22 G, 30 A, 52 P, 6.8 PS, 2012

Gabriel Landeskog has had a good career thus far that has been spent entirely with the Avalanche.  He has had six 50-plus Point years, but nothing higher than 75 Points.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers, Center: 14 G, 17 A, 31 P, 3.3 PS, 2013

Jonathan Huberdeau is the first Panther to win the Calder and he was an All-Star in 2020.

27 Years Old,Playing for the Florida Panthers.

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, Center: 24 G, 39 A, 63 P, 7.7 PS, 2014

Since his Calder season, MacKinnon went on a current three-year 90-Point streak.  He was an All-Star in 2002, and was the runner-up for the Hart in 2018.

25 Years Old,Playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers, Defense: 12 G, 27 A, 39 P, 8.5 PS, 2015

Aaron Ekblad became the second Florida Panther in three seasons to win the Calder.  He has participated in two All-Star Games since.

24 Years Old,Playing for the Florida Panthers.

Artemi Panerin, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 30 G, 47 A, 77 P, 9.8 PS, 2016

Following his rookie year, Panerin was a Second Team All-Star and is coming off of a 95 Point season in his first year in New York.

29 Years Old,Playing for the New York Rangers.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center: 40 G, 29 A, 69 P, 9.7 PS, 2017

In Matthews’ rookie year, his 32 Even-Strength Goals led the NHL. He would do so again with 35 in 2019-20.

22 Years Old,Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matthew Barzal, New York Islanders, Center: 22 G, 63 A, 85 P, 8.2 PS, 2018

Barzal’s Calder Trophy winning season is to date his best in his young NHL career.

23 Years Old,Playing for the New York Islanders.

Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, Center: 28 G, 38 A, 66 P, 7.8 PS, 2019

Pettersson has been with the Canucks for two seasons and played in the All-Star Game in both years.

22 Years Old,Playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Doesn’t it feel like the Calder means more than other league Rookies of the Year?

For the most part, winning the Calder reflects a great player, especially in the second half of this awards existence.

So, what is up next?

We stay with the NHL and look at the most important individual award in the NHL. The Hart Trophy.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

Albert Pujols: A big contract bringing clipping the Angels’ wings

Alberto Pujols is still playing baseball? That question may have crossed your mind when it was announced the current Los Angeles Angels first baseman had passed Alex Rodriguez on Major League Baseball’s all-time RBI list this week. Pujols knocked in his 2,087^thRBI on August 24^thand is now trailing Hank Aaron as the all-time Major League Baseball leader. Sports fans are enjoying a large amount of sports available currently from baseball to horse racing. The biggest horse race in the world will take place on September 5^that Churchill Downs and fans can watch a Kentucky Derby live stream to follow all of the action on race day. 

Now, 40-years-old, Pujols’ standing as one of the greatest in Major League Baseball history doesn’t seem to be as firm as it was years ago. Pujols has spent the last eight and a half seasons playing for the Angels. So, if you forgot he was even in the league at this point, you can be forgiven. 

Pujols’ 2020 season has been rather forgettable. His RBI on Monday night to pull him closer to Aaron was a milestone but there was little to actually celebrate. The Angels are 10-22 as of this writing and 12.0 games out of first place in the AL West. For all the talk of the greatness of Pujols and Mike Trot, they sure have done little to get the Angels into American League West winning position. Of course, baseball takes more than just two players, but Pujols’ stats show a player limping toward retirement and hanging on for too long.

The first baseman is hitting .215 with an OBP of .253, and slugging percentage of .367 as of August 27^th. He has hit just three home runs and knocked in 12 RBI in 79 at bats. The once great hitting machine is a shell of his former self. 

Since arriving in Los Angeles in 2012, Pujols has regularly failed to get the Angels into the playoffs. Just one time have the club made the postseason following Pujols’ big money move from St. Louis. In pure poor money management, the Angels rewarded Pujols for what he did with the Cardinals and not what he could do in the future. 

The club signed him to a 10-year contract in 2012 for a $240 million. According to Spotrac, Pujols was due $29m this season alone. In 2012, signing Pujols for 10 years may have sounded like a great deal. He was 32 and coming off of winning the World Series with the Cardinals. He was also a three-time MVP. 

Pujols’ batting average has never risen over .300 for a full season in Los Angeles. Three times his OBP has dipped below .300, including this season. Other than in the 2015 season, Pujols hasn’t shown the power of his time in St. Louis. The 2015 campaign witnessed Pujols hitting 40 home runs. He hit 40 or more homers six times for the Cardinals. Just once has he done it in Los Angeles.

The last eight and a half seasons in Los Angeles have been well paid for Pujols. But with the Angels making the playoffs just once in that time, Pujols is now just a huge contract around the club’s neck. That deal won’t end until after the 2021 season. Pujols will earns $30m next season.

A Guide for Sports Fans: How to Keep Yourself Entertained During the Offseason

No matter what sport you enjoy watching, there will come a time at least once a year when it enters its offseason period. All sports need this break in their schedule, simply because it provides the athletes with a chance to rest their bodies, improve their performance, and ultimately prolong their careers.

Offseason might be necessary, but it’s still incredibly boring! If you want to keep yourself entertained when your favorite sport enters its annual break, you’re going to have to put the advice laid out below into practice.

Find another sport to follow

Different sports are suited to different conditions and seasons — baseball, for example, is played during the summertime, whereas basketball is played throughout the winter — which means that you have the opportunity to indulge in sporting action all year round. 

Following another sport might feel sacrilegious at first, but, if nothing else, it’ll provide you with the sporting rush you need to keep yourself entertained throughout the long, arduous months of your offseason. You never know, you might end up enjoying your new sport enough to follow it even once your favorite sport starts up again.

Pick up a new pastime

You might not have the luxury of being able to watch your favorite sporting action for the time being, but that doesn’t mean you have to mope around every weekend. There are always going to be new, fun and exciting pastimes out there for you to pick up. You just have to be willing to try something a bit different.

If you’re determined to recreate the thrill of the sporting action that you enjoy, you should seriously consider picking up poker as your pastime of choice. The excitement that you experience as you take risks, formulate strategies, and place your bets will be akin to the sensation that you feel when you watch your favorite sports team take to the field. 

Should you decide to pick up poker as your offseason pastime of choice, be sure to check out the poker strategies provided by Unibet. If you heed their advice, you’ll be sure to become an expert player in no time.

Start watching a TV show about your favorite sport

Regardless of what sport you are passionate about, chances are there has been a TV show made about it at some point in the past. Whether based on fact or purely fictional, these sorts of shows are perfect to binge on when there’s no real sporting action to watch on the weekend. If nothing else, the roar of the make-believe crowd will trick you into thinking that you are actually watching live sporting action take place.

Here are just a few of the different sports-related shows that you can watch:

• Ballers, Friday Night Lights, Blue Mountain State— American Football
• The White Shadow, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Inside the NBA— Basketball
• The League, Back in the Game, Eastbound and Down— Baseball

The offseason might be an incredibly boring time, but it’s necessary. If you want to keep yourself entertained while you wait for your favorite sport to start up again, be sure to heed the above advice.

If you ask any basketball fan who their favourite player is then chances are that 9 out of 10 times the name you'd hear is Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the greatest in the world of basketball. He was responsible for the sudden growth in popularity of the NBA back in the 1980s. His incredibly flamboyant style of playing and his high jumps found him titles like Air Jordan and His Airness, names that have stuck to this day. Between him and Scottie Pippen, they turned around the fortunes of the Chicago Bulls making the team one of the greatest of that era.

The Chicago Bulls won six championship titles with Michael Jordan which pretty much made him one of the most bettable sportsmen of the time. Sports betting back in those days was very different from what it is now. These days, one can go online and even bet on virtual sports like this article describes.  If Michael Jordan were playing today, he would most definitely be one of the most bankable players. His sheer talent and skill is also the reason why he was so popular. In fact here are a few reasons for his popularity and his dependability.

He can act

Sure, Michael Jordan can play basketball but can he act? Yes, he can! Michael Jordan made his debut in Hollywood in a most bizarre movie called Space Jam where he acted opposite not human beings but cartoon characters. His co-stars were the iconic Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes. The story is about a bunch of aliens coming down to earth to enslave these characters as well as steal some basketball talent from the guys at NBA. Michael Jordan manages to come to the rescue as he always does. 

He can play even with the flu

Most people would be in bed, sipping hot soup and resting when they get the flu but not Michael Jordan. He gets up and plays basketball. The match between Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz featuring a flu-ridden Michael Jordan is one for the history books because he leads the team to a crazy 90-88 win before finally collapsing in a heap. 

The Last Shot

Michael Jordan's last match was in 1998 before retirement. The Chicago Bulls were playing against Utah Jazz. Michael Jordan dribbled his way through Bryon Russell and then gently pushed him and stole an opportunity to win a point. This won him his final title and the match has gone down in history as one of the greatest ever. No wonder then that the shoes he wore during that match fetched thousands of dollars at a recent auction. 

These are just some of the high points of MJ's career that made him one of the most dependable sportsmen ever. It was so difficult to keep him out of the game that he even returned to the court at the age of 40 and managed to score 43 points against New Jersey Nets. 

Garden State Greatness in the World of Sports

New Jersey is known for many things including the iconic Atlantic City and its fabulous hotel and casino operations, world-famous sports teams, and NJs mind-boggling population density. From an sports and entertainment perspective, the Garden State stands proud. It is home to New York's finest – not the police officers – the New York Jets and the New York Giants – NFL titans. These teams play for the Empire State, but their stadium is located in East Rutherford New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium. Interestingly enough, according to 888sport’s Brett Chatz, the New York Jets and the New York Giants are the only NFL teams to share a stadium since 1984. Granted, the LA Chargers will be sharing a stadium with the LA Rams from 2020 onwards, at the SoFi stadium in California.

The New Jersey Devils Stun the Crowds at the NHL 

The best New Jersey Devils Teams of all time are pretty easy to identify. They're the ones who won the Stanley Cup, back in 1994/5, 1999/2000, and again in 2002/3. As the quintessential picture of perfection, these New Jersey Devils teams went hell for leather and brought home the ultimate prize in the NHL. Their first Stanley Cup victory took place under the management of coach J. Lemaire. Fast forward to 1999/2000. The New Jersey Devils again performed superbly under coaches L. Robinson and R. Ftorek, winning their second cup. The last time the New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup was back in 2002/3. That year, it was coach P. Burns who led the team to victory in a spectacular way. The New Jersey Devils are without doubt one of the best exports to emerge from the state. They are currently ranked at #14 in the Eastern Conference (2019/2020) with plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks in coming seasons.

The New York Giants and the New York Jets Playing Out of Jersey

No sport captivates the attention of fans more than the NFL. The other 3 major sports in the US include MLB, NBA, and NHL, in that order. True to form, New York's NFL prospects – the Giants and the Jets have cemented their place in history among fans. What many folks outside of New York and New Jersey don't know is that both these NFL teams are based in the Garden State. According to NFL power rankings (2019 regular season), the New York Giants in the NFC East are in third place, and the New York Jets in the AFC East are also in third place. Both of these teams have their home base at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants have won 4 NFL Championships, in 1956, 1938, 1934, 1927. They also won 4 Super Bowls, in 2012, 2008, 1991, and 1987. The New York Jets have just 1 NFL Championship to their credit, when they beat the Baltimore Colts 16-7, back in 1969.

The Brooklyn Nets Playing Out of New Jersey

The Brooklyn Nets were once known as the New Jersey Nets, and this NBA team certainly made waves in the basketball arena. The best Brooklyn Nets players include the likes of: Jason Kidd, Julius Erving, Buck Williams, Drazen Petrovic, Brook Lopez, Richard Jefferson, Rick Barry, John Williamson, Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles, andKenyon Martin, among others. Some of their best performances ever took place in the following years:

• 1973/4– the Brooklyn Nets delivered a 55-29 win/loss performance in the ABA. Legendary players, Larry Kenon and Julius Erving starred.
• 1975/6- the 1976 Slam Dunk contest with none other than Julius Irving a.k.a. Dr J won the hearts of fans the world over. He was named the ABA Most Valuable Player, and was appointed to the ABA First Team. In that year, the Brooklyn S came in second with a 55-29 record in the ABA.
• 2002/3– during the season, the Brooklyn Nets had the best defensive rating in the league. Richard Jefferson stepped in, replacing Van Horn. Just two games were lost during the play-offs in the Eastern conference, as the Brooklyn Nets made it to the NBA Finals. In 2002, their win percentage was .634, and in 2003 their win percentage was .598.
• 2001/2– in this year, Jason Kidd spearheaded the Nets towards greatness as they reached the NBA finals. While the Lakers dominated, the Nets showed their grit. The Eastern conference team could not possibly hope to compete with the Western Conference team, but their regular-season winnings got them to the finals.

These New Jersey teams have left an indelible impression on the sports world. Many of these teams are etched into the annals of history in the NHL Hall of Fame, the NBA Hall of Fame, and the NFL Hall of Fame. It's been some time since a team from New Jersey lifted a championship trophy, but they've done it before and they can certainly do it again!

Rock n roll is always considered to be more of a lifestyle than a form of music. Rock stars are known to live in excesses. It's popularly romanticized as a life of excess drugs, sex and hedonism. Many rockers bend the rules and stretch it to the limit. Some survive, some become casualties. The golden era of rock n roll was probably the 60s with legendary bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Doors pushing the limits both musically as well as in their own personal lives. 

There are several sordid stories of overdosing on drugs and sometimes even endangering the lives of those around them. This kind of a lifestyle is something you can probably taste a slice of in Las Vegas with all its casinos and clubs. Although it's true that Las Vegas now does offer more than just gambling like this article says. But as we enter the era of hip hop and electronic music, it would be a good idea to look back and go through some of the greatest tragedies of rock n roll history. 

Death of John Bonham

There is absolutely no doubt that Led Zeppelin was one of the greatest bands on the planet and that John Bonham was one of the greatest drummers who ever lived. His unique style of drumming remains unparalleled and still inspires a whole new generation of drummers. Bonham was known for his excessive drinking which is what led to his death in 1980 when he was only 32 years old. The band decided not to carry on without him and that was the end of Led Zeppelin. His death is considered to be one of the greatest losses to the world of rock.

Death of John Lennon

There has probably never been a more famous band in the history of the world than The Beatles. It's a remarkable story how four young lads from Liverpool went on to confquer the world with their brilliant tunes and sharp songwriting. John Lennon was at one point considered to be almost god like. After quitting the The Beatles, Lennon pursued a solo career and went through a series of personal awakenings and changes. His wife Yoko Ono and he became activists and protested against a lot of decisions that the government was taking at that time. In 1980, John Lennon was shot dead outside his home by a crazed Beatles fan by the name of Mark Chapman. Chapman claims he was upset by claims that Lennon had made about The Beatles being more famous than Jesus. Chapman is still in jail and seeking parole according to this article. 

Death of Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly was an American singer-songwriter known for being an influential figure in the rock n roll scene of the 50s. He is known to be the first musician to come up with the traditional band format of two guitars, drums and bass. He had a very short career and yet his work managed to influence legends like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. In 1959, Buddy Holly died in a plane crash along with the rest of his band mates. The event was considered to be so tragic that Don McLean refers to it in his song American Pie saying it was the day that music died. 

There are many more events that could make the list like the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash and Elvis Presley's death that changed the course of rock n roll forever. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the NBA Finals MVP.  This time we went back to baseball, and the Comeback Player of the Year.

This is a recent award, first created in 2005, so the sample size at present is not a large one, but that has not stopped us before.  As with most awards in the Majors, there is one issued for both the National League and the American League.

So how many MLB Comeback Player of the Years have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati Reds (NL: 2005)                    

Ken Griffey Jr was beset with injury after injury from 2001 to 2004 as a Cincinnati Red with the most games he had in a year being 111.  This season, Griffey Jr appeared in 128 Games and had 35 Home Runs with a .301 Batting Average.  He played until 2010, retiring with 630 Home Runs and 2,781 Hits.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox (AL: 2006)                      

In 2005, Thome had elbow problems and batted only .205 as a Philadelphia Phillie.  The Phils traded him to the White Sox, and he rebounded with 42 Home Runs and 109 RBIs.  The slugger played until 2012 and left the game with 612 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees (AL: 2013)                

Mariano Rivera was already entrenched as the greatest Relief Pitcher in history before he won this award, and in 2012 it looked like he had to retire.  In May of that year, he tore his ACL, and it was expected that he would not return, but he did and was back in form.  In what was his final season, the career Yankee had 44 Saves and was an All-Star for the 13^thtime.  Rivera ended his career as the all-time leader in Games Finishes (952), Saves (652) and ERA+ (205).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

The following are the players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Basketball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees (AL: 2005)                   

Jason Giambi won the 2000 MVP, and was a top slugger for the seasons after but knee issues held him to 80 Games in 2004.  In 2005, he returned with 32 Home Runs, and led the American League in Walks (108) and On Base Percentage (.440).  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year in 2020 and received 1.5% of the ballot.  Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com

Nomar Garciaparra, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 2006)       

Injuries compiled on Garciaparra for years, taking him away from surefire Hall of Famer to also-ran.  He missed most of 2005 due to a torn groin, but 2006 had Garciaparra go to his first All-Star Game since 2003.  Garciaparra had 20 Home Runs, and batted .303 this year.  Realistically, this was his last good year, and he retired in 2009.  Eligible Since 2015.  Was on the ballot for two years in 2015 finishing as high as 5.5% in 2015.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays (AL: 2007)                        

Carlos Pena had a pair of 100 Hit years, and had a 27 Home Run season in 2004, but he was released by the Tigers before the start of the 2006 season.  He signed with the Yankees, but was released before he played for them.  He did manage to get in 18 Games for Boston, but was in the minors for most of the year.  Pena signed a minor league deal with Tampa before the 2007 season, and he rewarded them with a 46 Home Run and .282 Batting Average year.  Pena was ninth in MVP voting, and two years later he won the Home Run Title (39) and was an All-Star.  Pena would later play for the Cubs, Houston, Kansas City and Texas.  He retired with 286 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year in 2020 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dmitri Young, Washington Nationals (NL: 2007)             

An All-Star in 2003 with the Detroit Tigers, Young’s 2006 season was his last in Motown, where he only played in 48 Games, had a sub .300 OBP and was treated for substance abuse and depression.  The Tigers released him that year, and it looked like his career might be over.  The Nationals signed Young, and in 2007 he was an All-Star again and he batted .320, which was good enough for fifth in the NL. He played one more season, and he retired with 1,389 Hits and 171 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2014.  Although Young was eligible in 2014, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians (AL: 2008)                            

Lee won at least 14 Wins annually from 2004 to 2006, and was fourth in Cy Young voting in 2005.  Lee had a horrendous 2007 where he had abdominal issues and was sent down to the minors, and his ERA was over six in his 20 Games with Cleveland. He rocketed back with his best year ever, going 22-3, and he led the AL in Wins, ERA (2.54) and FIP (2.83), and he won the Cy Young, making him the first to win the Cy Young and the Comeback Player of the Year at the same time.  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2008)                    

An All-Star in 2005, Lidge’s game fell apart after and he dropped to 19 Saves in 2007 from his 42 two years before.  Lidge joined the Phillies, and he was an All-Star again with 41 Saves and an ERA of 1.95.  Lidge finished fourth in Cy Young voting, was an All-Star, and won the Rolaids Relief and Delivery Man of the Year Award.  The Phillies won the World Series that season, and Lidge was the first player to win the Comeback Player of the Year and the World Series in the same year.  Lidge played until 2012 and retired with 225 Saves.  Eligible Since 2018.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2009)              

In 2007, Carpenter threw only six innings and underwent Tommy John Surgery and he was only on the mound for 15.1 Innings in 2008 due to shoulder issues.  The Pitcher stormed back as the Cy Young runner-up and had a 17-4 record while leasing the National League in ERA (2.24).  Carpenter would be an All-Star again the following year, and he played until 2012, finishing his career with a 144-94 record.  Eligible Since 2018.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves (NL: 2010)                          

An All-Star twice with Oakland, Tim Hudson joined the Braves in 2005 and did well until Tommy John Surgery took him out in 2008 and he missed most of 2009.  In 2010, he was an All-Star again with a 17-9 record and a fourth place finish in the Cy Young.  Hudson was an All-Star again in 2014 as a San Francisco Giant and retired the year later with 222 Wins and 2,080 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 2021.  His first year of eligibility is this year.  Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2011)               

Lance Berkman was a five-time All-Star with the Astros, but in an injury plagued 2010 he only had 14 Home Runs and batted .249. Berkman joined the Cardinals and blasted 31 Home Runs, was an All-Star for his sixth and final time and he helped the Cardinals win the World Series.  He played two more seasons and retired with 1,648 Hits, 326 Home Runs and 1,090 RBIs.  Eligible Since 2019.  He was on he ballot for one year and had 1.2% of the ballot.  Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year in MLB who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 2009)

Aaron Hill suffered a concussion in late May of 2008, and he was put for the remainder of the season.  Hill came back to have the best season of his career where he was an All-Star for the first and only time of his career, and would post career-highs in Home Runs (36), RBIs (108) and Hits (195).  The Second Baseman would also win his lone Silver Slugger this season. Hill went on to play for Arizona, Milwaukee, Boston and San Francisco, and he retired with 1,501 Hits and 162 Home Runs.  Eligible in 2023.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2011)

Jacoby Ellsbury played only 18 Games due to fractured ribs in 2010, but he returned the following season to have his only All-Star year.  Ellsbury had career-highs in Hits (212), Home Runs (32), RBIs (105), and the Slash Line (.321/.376/.552).  He would later win his second World Series ring with the BoSox in 2013, and he finished his career with 104 Home Runs and 1,376 Hits.  Eligible in 2023.

Chris Young, Seattle Mariners (AL: 2014)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome held Chris Young to only nine minor league starts in 2013, and he was a long way removed from his 2007 All-Star year in San Diego.  Young was a Mariner for only this season, and he went 12-9 with a 3.65 ERA.  He played three more years with Kansas City, winning a World Series ring and retiring with 79 Wins against 67 Losses.  Eligible in 2023.

Chris McGehee, Miami Marlins (NL: 2014)

Chris McGehee debuted in 2008, and had a decent 2010 season, but was a journeyman after that, playing in Japan in 2013. McGehee returned to the Majors as a Miami Marlin, and he would collect 177 Hits with a .287 Batting Average.  He went back to journeyman status and was out of the majors after 2016.  McGehee had 721 Hits over his career.  Eligible in 2022.

Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers (AL: 2015)

Prince Fielder won the Home Run Title in 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he had six more 30-Home Run years right after. Fielder joined the Texas Rangers in 2014, but he had season-ending neck surgery after 42 Games.  In 2015, Fielder had 187 Hits, 23 Home Runs and batted .305, and was an All-Star for the sixth and final time.  Injuries kept him to only one more season, and he retired after the 2016 season with 319 Home Runs and 1,645 Hits.  Eligible in 2022.

The following are the players who have won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year who are still active.

Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins (AL: 2010)

Francisco Liriano was an All-Star as a rookie in 2006, but he missed all of 2007 due to Tommy John Surgery, and he was injured for much of 2008 and 2009.  Liriano rebounded with a 14-10 record in 2010 with a 3.62 ERA.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays (AL: 2012)

Fernando Rodney los the closers job with the Angels the year before with only three Saves and a 4.50 ERA.  With the Rays, he came back with a vengeance with 48 Saves, a 0.60 ERA, a 0.777 WHIP and a fifth place Cy Young finish.  43 Years Old, Free Agent.

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (NL: 2012)

Buster Posey was the 2010 Rookie of the Year and the Catcher helped lead the Giants to a World Series win.  2011 was not as good, as a home plate collision fractured his fibula and tore ligaments.  Posey rebounded by taking the Giants to another World Series win with 24 Home Runs, a Batting Title (.336) and an MVP.  Posey won another World Series Ring with the Giants in 2014.  33 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates (2) (NL: 2013)

Liriano made history as the first player to win the Comeback Player of the Year twice, and he did it in both leagues.  This time, he made a comeback after an awful 2012 split between Minnesota and Chicago (AL), and in his first season as a Pirate he had his best year in baseball.  Liriano went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA and a ninth-place finish in Cy Young voting.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Matt Harvey, New York Mets (NL: 2015)

An All-Star in 2013, Matt Harvey missed all of 2014 from Tommy John Surgery.  Harvey went 13-8 for the Mets in 2015, and had a 2.71 ERA with 188 Strikeouts.  31 Years Old, Free Agent.

Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2016)

After having six good seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Rick Porcello joined the Red Sox, but had a poor year with a 9-15 record and an ERA near five.  Porcello had a monster 2016 with a 22-4 record and a league-leading SO/BB (5.91). He would also win the Cy Young, and two years later, he helped Boston win the World Series.  31 Years Old, Playing for the New York Mets.

Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals (NL: 2016)

Rendon had a great 2014 year with a fifth place finish in MVP voting.  The season after, he had a poor year and missed his share of games, but he bounced back with a 20 Home Run year in 2016. Rendon would later lead the Nationals to their first World Series win in 2019.  29 Years Old, Playing for the Anaheim Angels.

Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals (AL: 2017)

Mike Moustakas helped the Royals win the 2015 World Series, but in 2016, he had a torn ACL and only played in 27 Games.  In 2017, Moustakas was an All-Star for the second time and he belted 38 Home Runs, his personal best.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Greg Holland, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2017)

Greg Holland was an All-Star closer in 2013 and 2014, and he was injured late in the 2015 season, which coincided with the Royals World Series win.  Holland missed all of 2016 following Tommy John Surgery, and he returned in 2017, though with Colorado.  Holland was again an All-Star and he led the National League in Games Finished (58) and Saves (41).  31 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

David Price, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2018)

David Price had a down year in 2017 with elbow issues holding him to 16 Games, but he was healthy in 2018 and went 16-7 with 177 Strikeouts. Price and the Red Sox would win the World Series this year.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Jonny Venters, Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves (NL: 2018)

With all due respect to all of the other winners, this has to be the most inspirational winner ever.  Venters was an All-Star in 2011 (his second year in the league) and he led the National League in appearances (2011).  Venters would have arm trouble and had to endure his second and third Tommy John Surgery, and after last playing in 2012, he returned in 2018, now as a Tampa Bay Ray. He was traded back to the Braves in July of that year, and would see more action than he had as a Ray. Venters had a total 5-2 record with three Saves.  35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians (AL: 2019)

This is the first winner who had a weaker year than the season before, but Carlos Carrasco is the first winner to battle cancer.  Carrasco has a 17-10 year in 2018 and in June of 2019, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.  Carrasco returned in September. 33 Years Old, Playing for the Cleveland Indians.

Josh Donaldson, Atlanta Braves (NL: 2019)

In 2018, injuries held the former MVP to 52 Games, but Josh Donaldson had a lot to prove in 2019.  The Third Baseman joined Atlanta as a Free Agent and in his comeback year he had 37 Home Runs and 94 RBIs.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Twins.

The Comeback Player of the Year was all over the place and based on what we see, its percentage of Hall of Famers will likely decline.

So, what is up next?

We return to basketball and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is awarded to the player who shows the most outstanding service and dedication to the community.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

Celebrities are just like regular people when it comes to sports. They love to watch and attend sporting occasions, whether it be football, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf or any other sport. As long as there is a ball to be hit, a sharp corner to negotiate or a punch to be thrown, the buzz of sports is the same for everyone.

Celebrities have even become part of sporting occasions. Their attendance in the crowd gathers airtime, and some also perform at the stadium – just look at the Super Bowl and its string of megastar performers. But who are the most prominent celebrity sports fans?

1.   Floyd Mayweather

He may be better known for his eagle eye and fast defence in the ring, but Mayweather also likes to kick back and watch sports as well. He attends boxing games but is known to be a big fan of the NBA. While Mayweather has been busy staking thousands on sports betting - reportedly winning over $6million on an NBA game back in 2013, he's also not shy of the casinos themselves. Having won nearly £800,000 on a slot machine in 2017, his latest conquest seems to be to tackle Japan by building a new casino in 2020/21.

2.   Denzel Washington

America's acting hall of fame has a seat for Denzel Washington. But the movie star is not just about taking his place among the film gods. He likes to take a seat at Lakers and Yankees games too and is known to be in the crowd always wearing his all-black cap. But Washington could play the game as well. During his university days at Fordham University, he was a point guard for coach Carlesimo. Yes, the same coach who made it to the NBA.

3.   Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart has gone from working as a shoe salesman to being one of the world's best comedians with some flagship acting jobs along the way. When Hart is not writing comedy gold, he is a massive sports fan. He participates in the NBA's All-Star weekend and even plays himself in the celebrity match, which he has won the MVP award on three occasions. By being in and around the players, he has acquired some new NBA buddies.

4.   Jerry Seinfeld

But Hart is not the only comedy royalty to love sports. Jerry Seinfeld, the creator of his namesake comedy hit show, is a renowned Mets fan. When he is not watching sports, he can be found talking about them on the WFAN sports radio station in New York. This may be why his famous show includes many references to Mets and one or two appearances from players.

5.   Drake

Actor rapper and singer, Drake has a controversial history with the sporting world. It began when he was denied access to the locker room of Miami Heat after they won the championship in 2013. In the same year, he announced himself as an official ambassador for the Raptors. Since then, the cameras have been on him during sporting occasions due to his courtside behaviours and celebrations. Some think it could be part of a publicity stunt, but he undoubtedly loves his sports.