The 2016 class of Eric Lindros, Sergei Makarov, Rogie Vachon and Pat Quinn were elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night in Toronto, so we're turning our attention to next year's inductions. In addition to obvious candidates Dave Andreychuk and Paul Kariya, here are three other players who should be considered for the class of 2017 in this, a special edition of "Morning, Joe."
Teemu Selanne: Selanne, 46, will be in his first year of eligibility and the "Finnish Flash" should be a no-brainer. After 21 seasons in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets (1992-96), Anaheim Ducks (1996-2001, 2005-14), San Jose Sharks (2001-03) and the Colorado Avalanche (2003-04), he is 15th on the all-time scoring list with 684 goals, 773 assists for 1,457 points in 1,451 games, which is incredible. He's the last player to score 70 goals in a season, a feat he accomplished with 76 goals as a rookie with the Jets. He won the Calder Trophy (1992-93), Maurice Richard Trophy (1998-99) and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (2005-06). Oh, and he also won that thing called the Stanley Cup, with the Ducks in 2007. His international résumé speaks for itself as well: He won an Olympic silver medal and three bronze medals playing for Finland, not to mention inspiring scores of players to take up the game.
Mark Recchi: It's inconceivable that Recchi, 48, is not already in the Hall of Fame. He won three Stanley Cups as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins. He also earned another in a management role with the Penguins last season. As a player, he recorded 1,533 points in 1,652 games, which is 12th all-time. Recchi made a difference both on and off the ice, no matter where he played during his 22-year career: with the Penguins (1988-92, 2005-06, 2008-09), Philadelphia Flyers (1991-95, 1998-2004), Montreal Canadiens (1994-99), Hurricanes (2005-06), Atlanta Thrashers (2007-08), Tampa Bay Lightning (2008-09) and the Bruins (2009-11). He officially retired while celebrating on the ice with his Bruins teammates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in 2011. It's about time Recchi is inducted.
Daniel Alfredsson: Alfredsson, 42, is also in his first year of eligibility and should receive serious consideration. He spent 18 seasons with the Ottawa Senators (1995-2013) and one with the Detroit Red Wings (2013-14) and recorded 10 seasons of 70-plus points. A six-time All-Star, Alfredsson never won a Stanley Cup, which could hurt his chances to start, but he will one day earn enshrinement. He won the Calder Trophy (1995-96) and the King Clancy Memorial Award (2011-12). Internationally for Team Sweden, he won an Olympic gold medal in 2006 and a silver medal in 2014. He is one of the most respected leaders of his generation.