With the Hockey Hall of Fame announcing its 2023 class on Wednesday, let's take a look at which Blue Jackets could find themselves among hockey's greats.
Locks: Mike Babcock
The reportedly incoming Blue Jackets head coach will certainly be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and probably in his first year of eligibility. He's 14th all-time with 700 regular season wins (.608 PTS%), eighth all-time with 90 playoff wins, and is the only coach that is a member of hockey's "Triple Gold Club," which includes people who have won an Olympic gold medal, the Stanley Cup, and a World Championship gold medal. Babcock won the Stanley Cup in 2008, Olympics in 2010 and 2014, and World Championship in 2004, along with a World Juniors gold medal in 1997 and a World Cup gold medal in 2016.
Decent Chance: Rick Nash
The only player with his jersey retired by the Blue Jackets, Nash, who is currently the team's director of player development, had a fantastic career, scoring 437 goals in 1060 games over 15 seasons, highlighted by a Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy win in 2004 and Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Maybe Nash will get in one day down the road, but it's hard to argue that he should get in when looking at the list of players who still aren't in.
On the right track: Johnny Gaudreau, Zach Werenski
Through 682 games, Gaudreau has scored 683 points. If he continues at that pace for the rest of his career, there's a good chance he could get in, especially if he adds to his seven All-Star Game appearances.
Werenski has been one of the league's top offensive defensemen since entering the league, and if he continues on his 15-goal per 82-game pace and stays healthy, he'll have a decent shot to get in.
Needs to improve production: Patrik Laine
Laine scored at a 42-goal per 82-game pace through his first two seasons. Since then, he's scoring 32 goals per 82 games. That's a very good number, but not the Hall of Fame number that 42 is. If he returns to a perennial 40-goal-scorer, he will have to be considered for the Hall of Fame.
Too Early To Tell: Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko
Johnson and Marchenko were the Blue Jackets' duo of rookie stars in 2022-23 and showed flashes that they can be great players, but they need to prove greatness over many years before receiving Hall of Fame consideration.
Which Jackets have the best chance to be in the Hall of Fame?
