Looking at five NHL legends who may never make it to the Hockey Hall of Fame (Image credit: Imagn)
The Hockey Hall of Fame encompasses all aspects of professional hockey. From the NHL to international play, players have a number of avenues to get their names enshrined in hockey history. Despite that, some players who have put together impressive resumes remain absent from the Hall of Fame.
In the case of some players, they may miss out on being a first-ballot Hall of Famer before then being enshrined the following year. At the same time, however, there are a number of players who many feel should be in the Hall of Fame, but aren’t.
As the years pass by, their cases remain just as strong, however, their chances seem to be dwindling.
Five NHL legends who may never make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame
#5 Tommy Anderson
Tommy Anderson spent nearly a decade playing in the NHL, from 1934-1942, splitting time between the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Americans. As one of the first Scottish players to ever play in the NHL, Anderson is considered a pioneer of Scottish hockey.
In addition, he is notably one of just three winners of the Hart Trophy to never be inducted into the Hall of Fame. While he has a case for making it into the HOF, with each passing year, his chances of being enshrined have dwindled.
#4 Al Rollins
Alongside Tommy Anderson, Al Rollins is one of three Hart Trophy winners absent from the Hall of Fame. Rollins’ NHL career began in 1949 while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, before going on to spend a number of years with the Chicago Blackhawks. He eventually wrapped up his career with the New York Rangers.
Rollins won the Vezina Trophy and a Stanley Cup in 1951 while playing with the Maple Leafs, before then winning the Hart Trophy in 1954. Despite his accomplishments, it appears as though Rollins may never make the HOF.
#3 Jose Theodore
The final player from the aforementioned group of Hart Trophy winners to be snubbed from the Hall of Fame is Jose Theodore. He won the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Trophy in 2002 while playing for the Canadiens.
In addition, he also was a two-time NHL All-Star and the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2010. Despite that, with each passing year, his chances of being enshrined in the HOF seem to be dwindling.
#2 Reggie Leach
The third overall pick in the 1970 NHL Draft, Reggie Leach is tied for most goals in a single postseason with 19. In addition, he won a Stanley Cup in 1975 before then leading the league in goals during the 1976 season and winning Conn Smythe honors that same year.
Despite that, and the fact that he is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Hall of Fame, he has never been enshrined in the HOF. To make his absence even stranger, Leach is considered one of the pioneers of Indigenous hockey players.
#1 Alexander Mogilny
A name that comes as no surprise to hockey fans, Alexander Mogilny seems destined to be the biggest snub in the history of hockey. Mogilny’s resume speaks for itself, both internationally and in the NHL.
In 1988, he won an Olympic gold medal with the Soviet Union before then winning the 1989 World Championships with the team. After then defecting and playing in the NHL, Mogilny was named to six All-Star teams while winning the 2000 Stanley Cup.
While he is a member of the Buffalo Sabres HOF, it has continued to appear as though he won’t be enshrined in the Hockey HOF.
