As we start a new year, I look back on the sixteen current NHL players born in 1980. With a new decade came numerous stars and, of these sixteen, I see seven enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Some were top five picks who turned into the faces of their franchises. Others were draft steals and make you wonder how they dropped that late in the first place.
This group is comprised of three defenseman, twelve forwards, and one goalie. Five have surpassed 1000 games played and two more will join that group by seasons end.
Although many are beyond their prime, they all continue to have important roles on their respective rosters and provide veteran leadership that all teams desire and need. Some are still on pace to reach fifty points this year and will surely be missed when they decide to hang up the laces for good.
Ryan Miller (G) Vancouver Canucks Drafted 138th 1999
The only goalie in this group has had a Hall of Fame worthy career. His career record of 333-220-64 with 36 shutouts and a 2.59GAA, .915 save % are remarkable. Depending on how the second half goes for the Canucks he could reach 350 career wins this year and even at 35 years he continues to show he can be one of the leagues’ top net minders.
Vincent Lecavalier (C) Los Angeles Kings Drafted 1st 1998
He has already stated that this season will be his last. With his recent trade to LA he will have a good opportunity to finish his career with a Stanley Cup run as well. He is another future Hall of Fame individual, in my opinion, and although he has played in only eight games this season his career numbers speak for themselves.
1171 Games Played 411 Goals & 522 Assists
David Legwand (C) Buffalo Sabres Drafted 2nd 1998
He was drafted directly after Lecavalier, but his career, although good, never translated into the level of success as the guy drafted 1st. He has tallied a mere eight points this season and never truly turned into a point per game level type of player. He has had a lengthy career, having played in nearly 1100 games. His 225 goals and 387 assists are very respectable, but not Hall of Fame worthy numbers.
John Michael-Liles (D) Carolina Hurricanes Drafted 159th 2000
He gives rookie Hanifin a great mentor and still contributes from the blue line with nine points this year. He has managed 270 assists over his career and has performed at a level that you expect a sixth round pick to do.
Francois Beauchemin (D) Colorado Avalanche Drafted 75th 1998
He has performed at an elite level this year tallying seventeen assists and like Liles in Carolina, is a great mentor for Barrie in Colorado. Over his career he has not been a point producing defenseman, but is a desirable player for many teams to have. He is twenty four assists away from 200 and if he has a great second half may reach that number this season.
Mike Fisher (C) Nashville Predators Drafted 44th 1998
One half of the Mike & Mike Centers found in Nashville has had a rough first half of this season with only eight points. He is twenty five games away from 1000 played and has registered 528 points in that span. Great player, and leader, but not a Hall of Famer.
Mike Ribeiro (C) Nashville Predators Drafted 45th 1998
Drafted one spot after Fisher, he now plays on the same team and as one half of the Mike & Mike centerman he has been a point producing machine this season with twenty one assists. He will reach 1000 games shortly and unlike Fisher has had a Hall of Fame worthy career. He has registered 522 assists to go along with 221 goals. Any player who will record 800 points and play over 1000 games deserves a place in the HOF.
Brad Richards (C) Detroit Red Wings Drafted 64th 1998
No longer a point producing machine, he now plays the role of leader and mentor for young players such as Tatar and Larkin. He has managed twelve points this season and will shortly join the 300 goal club and eventually the Hall of Fame.
1086 Games Played 292 Goals & 624 Assists.
Henrik Zetterberg (LW) Detroit Red Wings Drafted 210th 1999
Largely regarded as one of the biggest draft steals in league history, Zetterberg continues to play at an elite level recording thirty points already this season. He recently joined the 300 goal club and has tallied 816 points over his Hall of Fame calibre career.
Daniel Sedin (LW) Vancouver Canucks Drafted 2nd 1999
Along with twin brother Henrik, they have been the face of Canucks hockey for over a decade. Daniel is more the goal scorer of the two and has registered 38 points this season with seventeen goals. He may join an elite group of players with 600 career assists if he can manage twenty five in the second half. 1102 Games played 344 Goals & 575 Assists.
Henrik Sedin (C) Vancouver Canucks Drafted 3rd 1999
He has been setting up his brother and numerous others for years and continues to be one of the league’s best assist men with twenty five this season. He has 949 career points and although recording another 51 this season may be a stretch, it is not unthinkable.
Of his 949 career points 729 have come in the form of an assist and along with Daniel they both have had spectacular careers. They are destined for the Hall of Fame and when they do retire they will have combined for over two thousand points.
I have not covered all sixteen players born in 1980 still playing in the NHL, but all provide a veteran presence and some continue to thrill the fans nightly. One goalie, a set of twins, and one of the greatest steals in draft history have given hockey fans something special for over a decade. May I be one of many to say thank you for giving us something to cheer for and vicariously living the dream of many.
*stats as of January 7th
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