5 NHL Greats Who Deserve to Make the Hockey Hall of Fame This Week

Getting elected to the Hall of Fame is the consummate honor that can be bestowed upon a hockey player. Every year, the Hall calls upon more of the greats of the sport's storied past to join this exclusive club, and with the latest round of inductees set to be reavealed this week, it's time to highlight the five players who deserve to be named as part of the 2019 class.

5. Patrick Elias

Patrick Elias never got the recognition he deserved around the league, though he was consistently one of the most underrated players in the NHL. He tallied 408 goals and 617 assists in 1,240 games, all of which were with the Devils. He is second only to Jaromir Jagr amongst Czech-born players in career points, and in his first year of eligibility, he should be in the Hall of Fame.

4. Keith Tkachuk

The two-time All-Star never won a Stanley Cup, but he did play 18 years in the NHL, scoring 1,065 points in 1,201 games played. Keith Tkachuk has the numbers to get in, but for some reason seems to be an afterthought on the ballot every year. It is time we give hime the recognition he deserves.

3. Alexander Mogilny

Alexander Mogilny scored 1,032 points in 990 career games, making him a point-per-game player (1.04 PPG). He is a two-time All-Star, with a Lady Byng award and a Stanley Cup under his belt besides. He is the third-highest Russian-born scorer in NHL history, ranking third in goals and seventh in assists. He should be a Hall of Famer, and in his 10th year on the ballot, it is time to let him in.

2. Sergei Zubov

The former fifth-round draft pick of the New York Rangers tallied 771 points in 1,038 career games, winning two Stanley Cups and making one All-Star team. He scored 89 points in 1993-94, which was his second season, leading the Rangers to the Stanley Cup. Sergei Zubov is an all-time great that has waited six years for the call. There's no reason to make it seven.

1. Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Roenick is a nine-time All-Star, scoring 513 goals and 703 assists in 1,363 games. He is a celebrated player for both his on-ice accolades and his off-ice personality. Apart from his hockey-related accolades, a persona that impacted so many should be more than enough by itself to justify his enshrinement. It's far, far past time to give Roenick's terrific career its proper due.