With a devastating wrist shot and smooth skating skills, Sergei Gonchar has quietly put together a very good career in professional hockey. Gonchar is a four-time All-Star and had eight seasons of fifty points plus which is very good for a defenseman. With over twenty campaigns in the National Hockey League, Gonchar had a great career, but without that elusive Norris Trophy, the Russian may not be considered for the Hall despite being a two time Second Team All-Star. Perhaps his four All-Star Appearances and international play with Russia will assist his chances.

From Banff, Alberta, Ryan Smyth would play for his home province Edmonton Oilers for the first eleven and a half seasons of his career.  Smyth would become one of the Oilers’ top scorers where he was known for his determination and scoring ability.  Smyth would have three 30 Goal seasons for the Oilers and he was regarded by many as the team leader and would take Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Finals where they would go down to defeat in seven games against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Smyth would be traded the following season to the New York Islanders and afterwards he would sign with the Colorado Avalanche as a Free Agent.  Smyth would return to Edmonton where he would finish his career.

A long time defensemen in the NHL, Roman Hamrlik has appeared on many power plays and punished a lot of attackers into the boards. The former first overall pick has not disappointed with a long and productive career and it isn’t over yet. The three time All Star though, likely does not have the stat accumulation for the Hall of Fame, but throughout his career he was always one of the better blue liners in hockey.

Considering that the highest season points output for Ray Whitney is 83, it is incredible that he became the 79th player in NHL history to hit the 1,000 mark in a career.  This shows that he is very durable, underrated as many have claimed, and as many of stated, an asset on NHL roster. The problem was at no point in his career was he good enough for a Canadian Olympic or World Cup roster. Whitney was a good player, but if he was not good enough throughout his career to represent Canada at the world’s biggest tournament, how can he be a legitimate Hall of Famer?  Anyone with over 1,000 NHL career points might be discussed.