PPS system evaluates 48 active NHL stars for Hall of Fame status

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Weekend arrives this Saturday, marking the official enshrinement of the Class of 2026. While the spotlight remains on the newest honorees, including 2026 inductee Patrice Bergeron, the focus for many analysts has turned toward evaluating the trajectories of active NHL stars through the Pidutti Point Share (PPS) system.

The PPS methodology utilizes era-neutral data to measure a player’s career, scoring them across six distinct factors: career production, efficiency, peak performance, playoff success, international play, and award vote share. By assigning a single digit to each player, the system aims to eliminate reputational biases and provide a benchmark against the evolving Hall of Fame standard. The framework evaluates 48 active candidates, benchmarking them against a standard that shifts based on the quality and quantity of previous inductees.

Categorizing NHL Stars

The system classifies players into specific tiers to determine their likelihood of induction, ranging from the exclusive “Inner Circle” to the “Hall of Very Good.” These tiers serve as a starting point for debates regarding who deserves a plaque in hockey immortality:

• Inner Circle: The 43 greatest players of all time.
• Qualified: Well above the standard (+15 or more), signaling a worthy Hall of Famer.
• Borderline/Above: Slightly above the standard (0 to +15), often sparking debate.
• Borderline/Below: Slightly below the standard (0 to -10), representing fringe candidates.
• Hall of Very Good: Below standard (-10 to -25), indicating a distinguished career that likely falls short of Hall of Fame status.

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin Maintain Elite Status

Among the current elite, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin maintain their status as Inner Circle candidates. At age 39, Crosby has extended his record of point-per-game seasons and currently holds the position of the third-ranked forward of all time according to the PPS system. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Alex Ovechkin ranks as the sixth all-time forward, though he faces pressure from Connor McDavid, who is projected to potentially surpass him this season.

Younger Stars Graduate to the Elite Tier

The makeup of the Inner Circle continues to change. Younger stars like Nikita Kucherov (33) and Nathan MacKinnon (31) are already graduating to this elite tier, a rapid ascent that may surprise some observers. Conversely, the high threshold for entry remains rigid for other positions; the Inner Circle tier for post-expansion goalies starts at 369, effectively placing legends such as Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, Tony Esposito, and Martin Brodeur in a class that current netminder Connor Hellebuyck is unlikely to reach.