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5 Hockey Hall of Fame candidates for 2018

By Dave Stevenson

Nov 16, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) makes a save during the third period of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Penguins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) makes a save during the third period of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Penguins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Detroit Red Wings in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 8, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Detroit Red Wings in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 8, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

4. Evgeni Nabokov

The Hockey Hall of Fame is unique in that it’s technically not the NHL Hall of Fame. Rather, it celebrates contributions from all hockey leagues. Often times, context and off the ice influence is seriously considered. If someone helps to grow the game, they will often get a nod if their stats warrant selection. Evgeni Nabokov is a good example of this.

Strictly looking at his play on the ice, the longtime San Jose Sharks goalie has a Calder Trophy and several All-Star selections, including a first team selection in 2007-08. With 353 career wins, Nabokov is the winningest Russian goalie in NHL history. He also leads his countrymen with 59 career shutouts.

Even though Sergei Bobrovsky might eventually pass Nabokov’s numbers, you can’t deny his numbers are pretty darn good. Once you factor in his influence on Russian goalies, he has enough merit to warrant serious consideration for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nabokov has a decent international career, though he was always hurt by Russia’s lack of a blue line. Still, he has a 2008 gold medal from the World Championships.

If you look at both his on the ice and off the ice contributions, Nabokov is a serious candidate. However, whether it’s fair or not, he’s going to be judged against one other goalie on this ballot (more on him later). And very few goaltenders can say they compare favorably to that particular goalie.

Likelihood: 40 percent. Nabokov ought to get in at some point, but he’ll probably have to wait a year or two.

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