One of the biggest metrics that can help a football player enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a First Team All-Pro, and though there are multiple groups that issue them, it is the AP version that is considered the gold standard.  We look at the winners, and analyze how much this could impact their Hall of Fame potential.

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs.  Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #21, #6 Quarterback. (148 pts, 49 First Place).

Mahomes led the NFL in Passing Yards (5,250), Touchdowns (41) and QBR (77.6), and his Chiefs could win it all again.  He is the favorite to win the MVP, and if he does, it will be his second.  Let’s go one step further, should Kansas City win the Super Bowl, a two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion will not be kept out of Canton.  This could be the year that cements it.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles 22 pts, 1 First Place
Jake Allen, Buffalo Bills, 15 pts 
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals, 15 pts

Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders.  Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank UNRANKED. (131 pts, 42 First Place).

Jacobs captures the All-Pro in his fourth NFL season, while winning his first Rushing Title (1,653 Yards).  A Running Back can make the Hall of Fame without a First Team All-Pro and Rushing Title, but it is a lot easier with them on your resume.  Jacobs is now a bona fide Hall of Fame threat.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns 36 pts, 5 First Place
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, 16 pts, 3 First Place 
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, 8 pts
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, 6 pts
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants, 3pts

Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs.  Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #12, #1 Tight End. (150 pts, 50 First Place). 

Kelce had another phenomenal year, adding Pro Bowl #8, adding a fourth First Team All-Pro and eclipsing 10,000 Yards.  This was his second-best season in Yards, and best in Touchdowns.  If anyone doubted his HOF credentials, they should not be now.

Others receiving AP Votes:
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers 38 pts
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings, 7 pts
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens, 3 pts

Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings.  Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #130, #18 Wide Receiver. (150 pts, 50 First Place). 

Jefferson is in the MVP and OPOY conversation, and he led the NFL in Receptions (128) and Receiving Yards (1,809).  He is now three-for-three in Pro Bowls, and his Hall of Fame stock skyrockets this year.  If Jefferson stays healthy, we see a bust in his future.

Wide Receiver: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins.  Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #28, #4 Wide Receiver. (144 pts, 47 First Place). 

Hill was every bit the superstar in Miami that he was in Kansas City, but in what his fourth First Team All-Pro (three as a WR, one as a returner), he shattered his previous record in Receiving Yards (1,710 this year, 1,479 in 2018).  He has been a Pro Bowl Selection all seven of his years, but the WR line is huge to enter Canton.  Hill is way ahead of Jefferson right now, but he does not have a RECY Title like the Viking.

Wide Receiver: Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #43, #7 Wide Receiver. (100 pts, 26 First Place). 

Davante Adams’ new team did not do well, but Adams himself was spectacular, posting his second consecutive 1,500-Yard Season, and third straight First Team All-Pro.  The now six-time Pro Bowler should breach 10,000 Yards next year, and he is also 13 away from 100 Touchdowns.  The Canton bar is rising for WR numbers, but Adams shows all the skills to make it. 

Others receiving AP Votes:

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles 76 pts, 13 First Place
Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills, 74 pts, 13 First Place
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys, 28 pts
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, 11 pts, 1 First Place
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins, 10 pts
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals, 7 pts

Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #20, #4 Offensive Lineman. (127 pts, 39 First Place). 

Williams had another phenomenal year and the success of the Niners, along with his personal story makes him a great Hall of Fame candidate.  The 10-time Pro Bowler is now on a two-year First Team All-Pro streak and if he makes the Hall, it is the tenure in San Francisco that got him through.  Bluntly, we will argue that Williams is helped more than anyone else with this honor.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Andrew Thomas, New York Giants, 49 pts, 10 First Place
Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans, 13 pts
Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins, 7 pts, 1 First Place
Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings, 3 pts
Jonah Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, 1 pt

Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #94, #14 Offensive Lineman. (118 pts, 36 First Place). 

After the 2021 Season, the pundits thought that Bitonio had his best season to date, but 2022 might have been as good.  Not only is he on a five-year streak of Pro Bowls, the Guard has been an AP All-Pro the last five seasons, the last two on the First Team.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs, 57 pts, 8 First Place
Quentin Nelson, Indianapolis Colts, 11 pts, 3 First Place
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles, 11 pts, 2 First Place
Ben Powers, Baltimore Ravens, 3 pts, 1 First Place 

Centers: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #36, #6 Offensive Lineman. (112 pts, 32 First Place). 

Jason’s brother, Travis, looks Canton bound, but will there be a set of brothers.  The Eagles Center looks to be making that a reality with a fifth First Team All-Pro in the past six years.  Throw in a potential Super Bowl, and did his legacy rise enough?  The tricky part is that Centers struggle more than other O-Linemen for induction.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs, 77 pts, 16 First Place
Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions, 11 pts, 2 First Place

Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #11, #1 Offensive Lineman. (111 pts, 35 First Place). 

Six First Team All-Pros in only eight years.  Martin keeps adding to what should be his Hall of Fame resume, and the pattern continues of elite linemen punctuating his case. 

Others receiving AP Votes:

Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons, 60 pts, 14 First Place
Michael Onwenu, New England Patriots, 15 pts
Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars, 6 pts
Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns, 3 pts, 1 First Place
Zion Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers, 2 pts
Issac Seumalo, Philadelphia Eagles, 2 pts

Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #143, #17 Offensive Lineman. (137 pts, 44 First Place). 

Johnson sneaked into our top 150 pre-season rank, and the early-30s Tackle added his second First Team since 2017, an accolade he desperately needs to make a Hall of Fame run. 

Others receiving AP Votes:

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 34 pts, 5 First Place
Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions, 27 pts, 1 First Place
Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons, 1 pt
Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings, 1 pt

Edge Rusher: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked. (137 pts, 44 First Place). 

Bosa has been tagged as a future DPOY when he won the DROY in 2019, and this could be the year.  He might have been unranked on our pre-season list of active players based on Hall of Fame credentials, but this year’s sack leader (18.5), will vault on to it easily.

Edge Rusher: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked. (112 pts, 33 First Place). 

Last year’s DROY is like Bosa, in that he is not yet ranked on our active HOF monitor, and is a DPOY contender.  We frankly have more belief in Parsons than Bosa in the future, but what these two young Edge Rushers accomplish in the next five years could be legendary.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns, 60 pts, 10 First Place
Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles, 33 pts, 6 First Place
Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders, 29 pts, 2 First Place
Matt Judon, New England Patriots,15 pts
Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers, 2 pts
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1pt

Interior Linemen: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #100, #15 Defensive Lineman.  (148 pts, 49 First Place). 

Jones added a fourth Pro Bowl this season, but this is First Team All-Pro number one, after earning three on the Second Team.  Jones is 28, super talented, but needed this to gain a two-digit rank from us, and a step towards HOF contention. 

Interior Linemen: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked. (148 pts, 49 First Place). 

Williams had a breakout year for the surprising Jets, though his first three seasons in the NFL were average.  He is the First Team All-Pro that we are looking to see the most in 2023.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants, 69 pts, 18 First Place
Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans, 24 pts, 3 First Place
Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins, 15 pts, 2 First Place
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers, 14 pts
Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders, 11 pts, 3 First Place
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, 10 pts, 2 First Place
Jason Hargrave, Philadelphia Eagles, 6 pts
Daron Payne, Washington Commanders, 5 pts
Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons, 3 pts, 1 First Place
DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts, 1 pt

Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #118, #13 Linebacker.  (134 pts, 42 First Place). 

Warner mimicked his 2020, with a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro, but he can’t fall back like he did last year.  

Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #133, #15 Linebacker.  (89 pts, 27 First Place). 

Smith was traded during the season from Chicago to Baltimore and was third in Combined Tackles (169) this year.  His arrival as a First Team All-Pro should not be a surprise to anyone.

Linebacker: Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (85 pts, 25 First Place). 

For the first time in his six-year career, Milano makes an AP All-Pro team, but is this a vault to greatness or a one-year blip? 

Others receiving AP Votes:

Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams, 54 pts, 13 First Place
C.J. Mosley, New York Jets, 42 pts, 9 First Place
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints, 41 pts, 8 First Place
Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers, 40 pts, 8 First Place
Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars, 24 pts, 4 First Place
Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23 pts, 3 First Place
T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles, 23 pts, 3 First Place
Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs, 15 pts, 3 First Place
Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks, 6 pts, 2 First Place
Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5 pts, 1 First Place
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills, 2 pts
David Long, Tennessee Titans, 2 pts
Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos, 2 pts
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals, 1 pt

Cornerback: Sauce Gardner, New York Jets. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (136 pts, 43 First Place). 

The obvious 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Gardner joins an elite group of players to become a First Team All-Pro in their debut NFL season.  This could be a special player.

Cornerback: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (79 pts, 20 First Place). 

Surtain was the brightest spot on a disappointing Denver squad, but the sophomore made the elevation needed to take toward the Hall.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers, 62 pts, 16 First Place
James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles, 40 pts, 8 First Place
Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles, 20 pts, 5 First Place
Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams, 19 pts, 4 First Place
Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks, 13 pts, 2 First Team
Patrick Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, 10 pts
Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins, 5 pts, 1 First Team
Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 pts, 1 First Team
Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers, 4 pts
Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers, 3 pts
Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys, 2 pts
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens, 1 pt
L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs, 1 pt
Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 pt

Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank #99, #6 Safety.  (139 pts, 45 First Place). 

2022 was a year of redemption for Fitzpatrick, who struggled in 2021 after a two-year First Team All-Pro run.  Adding a third one this year, Fitzpatrick led the league in Interceptions (6) and is a DPOY contender.

Safety: Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (49 pts, 12 First Place). 

Hufanga only beat Derwin James by four votes for his first All-Pro, and his 49 votes are the lowest of any First Team All-Pro.  Nevertheless, Hufanaga had a much-improved sophomore season, but do we really know he is yet?  Let’s see how he builds on this year.

Others receiving AP Votes:

Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers, 45 pts, 13 First Place
Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos, 39 pts, 8 First Place
Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills, 25 pts, 5 First Place
Ryan Neal, Seattle Seahawks, 14 pts, 3 First Place
Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints, 13 pts, 2 First Place
Vonn Bell, Cincinnati Bengals, 12 pts, 3 First Place
Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks, 12 pts, 2 First Place
Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans, 12 pts, 2 First Place
Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals, 9 pts, 2 First Place
Rayshawn Jenkins, Jacksonville Jaguars, 6 pts, 1 First Place
Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots, 6 pts, 1 First Place
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings, 5 pts, 1 First Place
C.J. Gardner Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles, 3 pts
Kamren Curl, Washington Commanders, 2 pts
Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans, 2 pts
Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals, 2 pt
Cam Bynum, Minnesota Vikings, 1 pt
Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns, 1 pt
Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins, 1 pt
Devin McCourty, New England Patriots, 1 pt
Rodney McLeod, Indianapolis Colts, 1 pt
Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 pt

Place Kicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (85 pts, 25 First Place). 

Realistically, the only active PK on the HOF radar is Justin Tucker, who finished second.  Carlson is only in his fifth season (and was a Second Team All-Pro last year) has the time, but Kickers always struggle to make Canton.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, 52 pts, 12 First Place
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks, 32 pts, 7 First Place
Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys, 9 pts, 1 First Place
Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans, 7 pts, 2 First Place
Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Matt Gay, Los Angeles Rams, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Eddy Pineiro, Carolina Panthers, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers, 1 pt
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles, 1 pt
Graham Gano, New York Giants, 1 pt

Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (100 pts, 28 First Place). 

Shane Lechler could not make it to the Semis, so that tells you all you need to know for a Punter to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee Titans, 45 pts, 13 First Place
A.J. Cole, Las Vegas Raiders, 22 pts, 2 First Place
Johnny Hekker, Carolina Panthers, 12 pts, 2 First Place
Tress Way, Washington Commanders, 11 pts, 3 First Place
Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 pts, 1 First Place
J.K. Scott, Los Angeles Chargers, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks, 2 pts

Kick Returner: Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (136 pts, 44 First Place). 

In Nixon’s fourth NFL season, he found a role in year one in Green Bay, leading the league in Kick Return Yards (1,009).

Others receiving AP Votes:
Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota Vikings, 27 pts
Nyheim Hines, Buffalo Bills, 23 pts, 5 First Place
Dallis Flowers, Indianapolis Colts, 8 pts, 1 First Place
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys, 2 pts
Jamal Agnew, Jacksonville, Jaguars, 1 pt
Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens, 1 pt
Marcus Jones, New England Patriots, 1 pt
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles, 1 pt

Punt Returner: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (143 pts, 47 First Place). 

Jones is a rookie Cornerback, who started four Games in that position, while leading the NFL in Punt Return Yards (362).

Others receiving AP Votes:
Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions, 25 pts, 1 First Place
Ray-Ray McCloud, San Francisco 49ers, 12 pts
Avery Williams, Atlanta Falcons, 6 pts
Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens, 3 pts, 1 First Place
DeAndre Carter, Los Angeles Chargers, 3 pts
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns, 3 pts
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys, 3 pts
Jamal Agnew, Philadelphia Eagles, 1 pt
Trent Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals, 1 pt

Special Teams: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked. (91 pts, 24 First Place). 

Unless you are Matthew Slater, a First Team All-Pro means nothing for HOF contention at Special Teams.

Others receiving AP Votes:
George Odum, San Francisco 49ers, 72 pts, 19 First Place
Justin Hardee, New York Jets, 19 pts, 4 First Place
Josh Mercellus, Minnesota Vikings, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Matthew Slater, New England Patriots, 4 pts
Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks, 3 pts, 1 First Place
C.J. Goodwin, Dallas Cowboys, 3 pts, 1 First Place
J.T. Gray, New Orleans Saints, 1 pt
Jordan Kunaszyk, Cleveland Browns, 1 pt
Brenden Schooler, New England Patriots, 1 pt
Josh Woods, Detroit Lions, 1 pt

Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings. Pre-Season Notinhalloffame Active HOF Rank Unranked.  (87 pts, 26 First Place). 

No Long Snapper ever made the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  No one ever will.

Others receiving AP Votes:
Nick Moore, Baltimore Ravens, 29 pts, 8 First Place
Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts, 25 pts, 7 First Place
Zach Wood, New Orleans Saints, 23 pts, 2 First Place
Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans, 19 pts, 4 First Place
Jon Weeks, Houston Texans, 4 pts, 1 First Place
Liam McCullough, Atlanta Falcons, 3 pts, 1 First Place
Trent Sieg, Las Vegas Raiders, 3 pts, 1 First Place 
Josh Harris, Los Angeles Chargers, 3 pts
Rick Lovato, Philadelphia Eagles, 2 pts
J.J. Jansen, Carolina Panthers, 1 pt
Patrick Scales, Chicago Bears, 1 pt

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is important to us that the Seattle Mariners have announced that Felix Hernandez will become the 11^th member of their franchise Hall of Fame.

Hernandez played his entire MLB career with the Mariners, the team where he would become the "King" of the Pacific Northwest and all of Baseball.

“King Felix” made his first appearance in the Majors in 2005, and after showing gradual improvement over his first few seasons, Hernandez took the throne in 2009, leading the American League in Wins (19), H/9 (7.5), and finishing second in Cy Young voting.  Hernandez was better in 210, winning the Cy Young, with a league-leading 2.27 ERA and 7.0 H/9, while also finishing atop the leaderboard in Innings Pitched (249.2).

Hernandez would not win the Cy Young again, but he was a contender for the award for years to come.  From 2011 to 2015, he was a perennial All-Star (he went to six in total), and the last of those four years, he was in the top eight in Cy Young votes, including another second-place finish in 2014.  That year, Hernandez led the AL in ERA (2.14), WHIP (0.915), and H/9 (6.5).

Hernandez played until 2019, retiring with a career record of 169-136 and 2,524 Strikeouts.

The ceremony will take place on a date to be determined in August.  Hernandez will join Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, Jamie Moyer and Ichiro Suzuki.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Felix Hernandez for this impending honor.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 80 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  80 Cup Points:  43 Games, 35 G, 44 A, 79 P, +2, 9.0 PS.  (#1 on last update)

There are a lot of stories at the near-halfway mark of the 2022/23 NHL Season, with one of the top ones being Connor McDavid running away with every major statistical category.  Last year’s Notinhalloffame NHL Cup winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (35), Assists (44), Points (79) and Point Shares (9.0).  

2. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 74 Cup Points:  40 Games, 32 G, 26 A, 58 P, +20, 7.9 PS. (#3 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  The Bruins star is averaging 1.39 Points per Game, slightly more than his First Team All-Star campaign in 2019-20.

3 (Tie). Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche. 68 Cup Points:  39 Games, 27 G, 23 A, 50 P, +6, 6.1 PS. (#3 on last update)

Rantanen remains at #3, and is also in the top ten in Goals and Points, while leading the NHL in Even Strength Goals (22).  The Avs star has 1.28 PPG, the highest of his career.

3 (Tie). Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  68 Cup Points:  42 Games, 29 G, 29 A, 58 P, +23, 8.1 PS. (#6 on last update)

Robertson is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output, and the fourth-year player is now the undeniable top dog of the Stars lineup.  He is currently tied for the league-lead in Even Strength Goals (22). 

5. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils.  63 Cup Points, 41 Games, 26 G, 23 A, 49 P, +14, 6.4 PS. (not on last update)

Hughes explodes back into the top ten, ranked higher in Cup Point standings than he has ever been.  He is seven Points away from tying last year’s number.

6. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning, 62 Cup Points:  39 Games, 23 G, 17 A, 40 P, +2, 4.7 PS. (#2 on last update)

Point drops large from #2, and though he is having a good year, and is a point-per-game player, there are still quite a few players with higher point tallies than the Tampa Center.  Saying that, Point has been the most clutch player for the Lightning, and a reason we love this process!

7. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  60 Cup Points:  41 Games, 20 G, 27 A, 47 P, +17, 5.5 PS.  (#7 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year, though when Toronto wins, the odds are that he was the biggest reason why.  Is this season a disappointment so far for Matthews?

8 (Tie). Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild.  58 Cup Points:  40 Games, 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, -1, 5.6 PS. (#8 on last update)

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

8 (Tie). Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins.  58 Cup Points:  26 Games, 22-1-1, 1.87 GAA, .938 Save Percentage, 6.9 PS.  (#8 on last update)

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and his ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top portion of the standings.  Ullmark leads all Goalies in Wins, GAA, Save Percentage and Goalie Point Shares.

10 (Tie). Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 57 Cup Points:  40 Games, 21 G, 27 A, 48 P, +1, 5.3 PS.  (Not on last update)

Crosby is back where he belongs in the top ten, and he has never had a year where he averaged less than a Point per Game.

10 (Tie). Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 57 Cup Points:  39 Games, 29 G, 19 A, 48 P, 0, 5.9 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Ovechkin is closing on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time Goal record, and is tied currently with Sidney Crosby.  How perfect is that?

Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson fell off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 90 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 160 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 160 Points:  38 Games, 34.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 31.5 PER, 7.5 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Doncic is back at #1, and for our money is still he front runner for the MVP.  The European star is currently leading the NBA in Points per Game (34.2) and Usage Percentage (38.6).

2. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, 153 Points:  39 Games, 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.4 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The Nets were on fire, and Durant was posting his best numbers over the past three years.  K.D. is now on the injured list with an MCL injury, and will miss a month, that will cost him the MVP and of course, the NIHOF Cup.

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 151 Points:  40 Games, 30.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 24.9 PER, 5.9 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum continues to get better which should scare the hell out of anybody cheering against the Celtics.  He has never finished a season averaging over 30 Points per Game, and Tatum is over that now, while generating serious MVP consideration.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 148 Points:  30 Games, 31.0 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 27.1 PER, 4.5 WS. (#3 on last ranking)

Giannis moves up another spot and the two-time MVP’s Bucks look ready to win it all.  He is in the top five in Rebounds and Points per Game.

5. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 145 Points:  38 Games, 24.9 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 9.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 32.0 PER, 8.3 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

The “Joker” has been great lately, and we know someone wants to get that third Cup!  He is currently leading the NBA in PER 32.0, VORP (4.6), Box Plus/Minus (12.5) and Win Shares (8.3).

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 142 Points:  37 Games, 30.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 26.6 PER, 5.6 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star this year, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  How great will this Canadian be?

7. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, 137 Points:  40 Games, 27.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 20.3 PER, 3.3 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Brown’s appearance here gives Boston the only team to have two players in the top ten, and he currently has the highest traditional numbers of his career.  

8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 134 Points:  34 Games, 27.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 24.2 PER, 3.8 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

9. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 127 Points:  29 Games, 33.6 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 30.9 PER, 5.2 WS.  (#9 on last ranking)

Embiid is currently second in Points per Game (behind Doncic), but is currently dealing with a foot injury.

10. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 125 Points:  42 Games, 24.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 20.5 PER, 4.8 WS. (#10 on last ranking)

Randle makes his first appearance this year in the top ten, and currently has the same PPG (24.1), as his All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 170 Cup Points.