Some of the NHL’s greatest players have had to wait decades for their turn to join the Hockey Hall of Fame. Others, like Shea Weber and Pavel Datsyuk in the Class of 2024, were ushered in swiftly after they hung up their skates.
Looking ahead to the Class of 2025, four legends seem poised to join the ranks of hockey immortality as first-ballot inductees.
Here’s why each of these stars appears to be shoo-ins for the Hall of Fame.
Carey Price
Arguably the most iconic goaltender of his generation, Carey Price carried the Montreal Canadiens on his back for the better part of two decades, becoming the winningest goalie in franchise history.
Known for his composure and athleticism, Price won the Hart and Vezina Trophies in 2015 and was instrumental in taking the Habs to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. While he never lifted the ultimate prize, the BC native’s international success with Team Canada, including Olympic gold in 2014, only strengthens his Hall of Fame resume.
PLus, the recent induction of former New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist proves that the Hall recognizes more than just championship rings.
Zdeno Chara
Has there ever been an NHL player more intimidating than Zdeno Chara?
At 6-foot-9, the Slovak native was more than just a towering figure on the ice. The longtime Boston Bruins captain led his team to a Stanley Cup in 2011 and was a Norris Trophy winner in 2009.
With 1,680 games played and nearly 700 points, Chara’s incredible longevity, combined with his physical presence and defensive dominance, has cemented his status as one of the league’s most respected blueliners.
His record-setting slapshot is also worth a nod on its own.
Duncan Keith
Playing a key role in the Chicago Blackhawks’ dynasty of the 2010s, defenceman Duncan Keith left it all out on the ice, retiring with three Cups and two Norris Trophies.
Known for his elite two-way play and endurance, Keith logged massive minutes and countless clutch postseason performances, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015. In 2017, the NHL named him one of the 100 greatest players of all time, which is a pretty good indicator that he’ll be getting the call.
If that wasn’t enough, the Winnipeg native is also a two-time Olympic gold medallist, representing Canada in 2010 and 2014.
Joe Thornton
For many fans, “Jumbo’”Joe Thornton was hockey incarnate.
A fierce competitor with an infectious personality, the 6-foot-4 forward was best known for his elite playmaking and relentless work ethic.
Throughout 25 NHL seasons, Thornton racked up over 1,500 points, placing him among the all-time greats in NHL history. Despite not capturing a Stanley Cup, his impact on teams like the San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins, who selected him first overall in 1997, was undeniable.