Pittsburgh Penguins: Predicting three future Hall of Famers

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been blessed over the past decade and a half with a few hall-of-fame talents. Besides the obvious choices, what does the future hold?

The obvious choices for the Pittsburgh Penguins would be none other than Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. The likes of these three have been the blessings mentioned for the Pens over the past 15+ years. For these three, it would be a more shocking projection stating that they wouldn’t be first time choices.

However, for the Pens, once you get past the likes of Geno, Sid, and Tanger, you still have a plethora of talent and solid players for years to come. Hockey is a sport that can change a player’s career in a blink of an eye for good and evil. Trying to keep all of that into perspective, we dove in and looked at three other Penguins that could one day be future HOFer’s.

Up first, and a top pick when it comes to this prediction, Jake Guentzel. If Jake can stay away from the injury bug, then that sky is the limit. Leading the Pens at times this season in points, goals, and assists, he’s proven worthy of the top line and much more. He’s mastered the art of individual skill, but more importantly, he’s learned to make others around him better.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Projecting three future Hall of Famers

Next on our list of HOF potentials, Bryan Rust. Ok, before you write this projection off, does he tick off all of the boxes? So far, maybe, but has he grown in skill and on paper each season? Most assuredly, yes! If he can keep his talent growing and stay around top talent, he can be the perfect tag team partner on his wall to the Hall. Just like Hossa, paired with the right ability, can do a lot.

Finally, we had to go defense. That defenseman, Marcus Pettersson. Just 23 years of age, and already showing that he can be a top-line talent for years to come. The Penguins rewarded him with a considerable deal keeping him around for quite some time as well. He’s not flashy or in your face, he just does what’s needed, and if that stays consistent, there’s no doubt.

You could go on for days about who may or may not make it, but these three certainly have the uptick to do it. Honorable mentions like Murray, Dumo, Marleau, Hornqvist, and others could easily make the Hall as well someday, but for this article, these are our guys. Youth, longevity, and timing have proven worthy before, and these three have a prime shot to use it well.