The Atlantic Division has some incredible talent that will eventually be enshrined in the hockey hall of fame. These are the current players from the Atlantic Division that have already built a hall of fame worthy career.
Atlantic Division Hall of Fame
Between the eight teams in the Atlantic Division, there are seven players currently worthy of a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Zdeno Chara
One of the most dominating defencemen in hockey history. Zdeno Chara has been captain of the Boston Bruins since he arrived in 2006. He is a six-time all-star, a Norris Trophy winner and a Stanley Cup champion. Chara’s 1553 games played rank 15th all-time and he has the sixth-highest defensive point share in NHL history. Chara is an absolute lock for the hall of fame.
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron has become one of the best two-way centremen in NHL history. He has won the Selke Trophy a record four times, is a two-time all-star, two-time gold medal winner and a Stanley Cup champion. He has played in 1089 games thus far — some of them involved playing though extreme injuries.
Bergeron has 352 goals and 517 assists for 869 points in his career. A model of consistency, Bergeron has scored at least 20 goals in nine straight (non-lockout shortened) seasons. He has accomplished the highest awards at the highest level and has done it all like a true professional. Patrice Bergeron is a generational figure both on and off the ice.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Among goalies with over 400 games played, his .917 save-percentage ranks 11th all time. Sergei Bobrovsky has likely done enough to make the hall of fame already, but a few more solid years would certainly benefit him. In 10 seasons, he has a 278-172-43 record with a 2.54 goals-against-average.
Bobrovsky has won two Vezina Trophies and is a two-time all-star. He has put up phenomenal numbers while playing on a struggling Columbus Blue Jackets team for the majority of his career. There’s a case to be made against Bobrovsky in the hall of fame right now, but he’s in the first year of his seven-year contract with the Florida Panthers and if he can put together a few more strong seasons he’ll likely be a sure bet for the hall of fame.
Carey Price
One of the best goaltenders in history, Carey Price has made a lasting impression during his 13-year career with the Montreal Canadiens. Among goalies with over 400 games played, Price’s .917 save-percentage ranks ninth all-time. His 348 wins are 23rd all-time and fifth-most among active goalies. Price has a losing record in the postseason but boasts a 0.914 postseason save percentage. Price has been the one consistent in Montreal over the last decade and has built a hall of fame resume.
Shea Weber
The 34-year-old defenceman has built a very strong career from the start to today. Shea Weber immediately made an impact in his first full season, scoring 17 goals and 23 assists in 79 games. In his 11 year career, Weber has 218 goals and 352 assists for 570 points in 990 games.
Weber is a seven-time all-star who has succeeded with the Nashville Predators and Canadiens. Through 14 years, he has similarity scores akin to the Hall of Famers, Chris Chelios, Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. He will soon hit 1000 games and is on his way for a spot in the hall of fame.
Steven Stamkos
One of the best players in franchise history, Steven Stamkos, has been an offensive juggernaut from the beginning. He’s scored 20-plus goals in every season besides 2016-17 where he only played 17 games. He’s a two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, a six-time all-star and one of the most dangerous players in the game.
Stamkos has 832 career points, 17th most among current players, the 16 players ahead of him have all had longer-spanning careers. He has scored 40-plus goals five times in his career and has been captain for a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has had a lot of success in his tenure. Stamkos will continue to add to his point totals and bolster his resume as his career goes on.
John Tavares
Toronto Maple Leafs captain, John Tavares, built himself an impressive resume during his nine years with the New York Islanders. After two seasons with the Maple Leafs, he has 345 goals and 424 assists for 769 points in 814 games.
He’s one of the top all-around centermen in the league. While the six-time all-star has not won any league awards, he’s commonly in the conversation for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, the Selke Trophy and the Hart Trophy. His move to Toronto will only help his case as he’s surrounded with more young offensive talent. Tavares will likely continue to produce consistently great seasons, enough to earn a spot in the hall of fame someday.
Outside of the Hall of Fame
Some players in the Atlantic Division find themselves on the outside looking in at a future hall of fame induction.
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask likely just needs a Stanley Cup championship as a starter to be worthy of a call to the hall. His career numbers are slightly better than Bobrovsky, yet so were his teams throughout the years. If he retires without a championship, Rask will be an interesting case when it’s all said and done.
Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman has put together a very strong career. One of the best defenders in the league would need a few more outstanding seasons to get serious consideration.
Players like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel are on pace for Hall of Fame careers by lighting up the league at a young age. If they continue on this trajectory they’ll be hall of fame worthy in due time.
