Former Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg didn't get the "Hall Call" that he was waiting for. And it's got to be a bummer for Wings fans, as one of the most legendary players has been left off of multiple lists lately.
But, the competiton was tough this year, and Zetterberg was facing the likes of Joe Thornton, Alexander Mogilny, and Duncan Keith, to name a few. Still, you'd think that, at some point, Zetterberg will start getting a little more recognition, thanks to all he's done for the Red Wings during their glory days before this lengthy rebuild took off.
In case you need a refresher, or if you just laid eyes on the winged wheel and decided to, right now, make one of the NHL's most storied franchises your new favorite team (good choice, by the way), let me fill you in on why Zetterberg deserved to be listed among the hallowed few elected to the Hall each season.
Henrik Zetterberg helped fuel the Red Wings latest Golden Era
While the current version of the Red Wings have struggled, Zetterberg helped make sure fans could look fondly at the 2000s and 2010s. For one, I have a lot of respect for Zetterberg because he decided to play his whole career in one city. And yes, that means more these days than ever before, thanks to the constant player movement going on in pro sports.
Throughout those 15 seasons he spent in Hockeytown, Zetterberg played in 1,082 matchups, notching 960 points and 337 goals. Even during his swan song in 2017-18, Zetterberg still managed first-line minutes, averaging 19:30 per game in which he knocked down 56 points and 11 goals.
He took second for the Calder Trophy during his first season all the way back in 2002-03, when he scored 22 goals and 44 points in 79 games. Zetterberg made the All-Rookie Team that season, and he was just getting warmed up. He helped the Wings capture their latest Stanley Cup to date in 2008, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy to cap off the campaign.
Henrik Zetterberg will always be a legend in Hockeytown, no matter what
Quarter-Century Team and Hall of Fame snubs aside, Zetterberg will always be a legend in a town where hockey itself is legendary. Such is the case when you're one of the faces of a franchise that won a Cup during your time there.
So yeah, while there's surely some disappointment to go around, it doesn't take away from what Zetterberg and so many other players on those Red Wings teams have done. It wasn't the way we wanted to see it end for Zetterberg, especially after that Quarter Century Team snub that saw his teammate, Pavel Datsyuk, snag a spot.
But, it is what it is, and congratulations to those who earned a spot in the Hall. We would've liked to have seen Zetterberg there, too, but there's no denying that every new member of the Hall of Fame deserved a spot. And I can't argue against any of those who were elected - I can only state my case for Henrik.
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