Detroit — Is this the year Henrik Zetterberg gets the call from the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Zetterberg and the rest of the hockey world will find out Wednesday afternoon (3 p.m./NHL Network), as the list of this year’s inductees will be released.
A total of 18 voters can select a maximum of up to four male players, along with two female players, two builders and a referee or linesman.
A candidate must have 75% of the vote — or appear on at least 14 of the 18 ballots — to gain entry into the Hall.
This will be the second year that Zetterberg’s name appears on the ballot. Similarly to last year, the ballot is strewn with quality players deserving of recognition, although Zetterberg’s resume is as strong as any other former player.
Zetterberg finished his career with 960 points (337 goals, 623 assists in 1,082 games) and was captain of the Red Wings for the final six years of his career. He ranks fifth in Wings’ history in goals, assists and points, and every other player ahead of him in those categories is in the Hall of Fame.
Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2008, and is one of only 30 players to also secure the Triple Gold Club in hockey, having won a Stanley Cup, world championship and Olympic gold medal.
This year, Zetterberg was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.
All those accomplishments while being drafted 210th overall, in the seventh round, a somewhat afterthought in the 1999 Entry Draft.
But Zetterberg, other than winning the Conn Smythe, never won an individual regular-season award such as the Hart (MVP) or Selke (best defensive forward), and for many North American analysts, Zetterberg’s success is somewhat considered to be the result of the deep talent pool around him with the Wings during that era.
Slowed mainly by a troublesome back in the latter stages of his career, Zetterberg’s production decreased over the final four years of his career.
Zetterberg is also among a lengthy list of candidates who also have glittery resumes which deserve recognition and potential enshrinement.
Most analysts feel Henrik Lundqvist, the former goaltender of the New York Rangers (and good friend of Zetterberg’s) will be one of the four selections, while on the ballot for the first time.
Goaltender Curtis Joseph, who played two seasons (2002-04) with the Wings, is expected to generate considerable support. Joseph has more victories (454) than six goaltenders already in the Hall, but Joseph never won a Stanley Cup or Vezina Trophy (best goaltender).
There is a long list of forwards who have been passed over in previous years, but might garner the required 14 votes this time around.
Alexander Mogilny, Patrik Elias, Rod Brind’Amour, Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick all are considered to be worthy candidates.
Two other former Red Wings who are potential vote-getters are goaltender Chris Osgood and defenseman Niklas Kronwall.
Osgood is nearing his 10th year on the ballot, but has yet to secure enough votes despite winning 401 games and being a part of three Stanley Cup winners.
Hockey Hall of Fame announcement
▶ When: 3 p.m. Wednesday
▶ TV: NHL Network
▶ Election: A nominee needs 75 percent, or at least 14 of the 18 votes, to earn election into the HOF.
▶ Red Wings on the ballot: Henrik Zetterberg, Chris Osgood and Niklas Kronwall are on the ballot. A total of 58 former Red Wings are in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan