Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille -- teammates on the Red Wings' 2002 Stanley Cup championship team -- were named to the Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2009 on Tuesday.

While it is debatable whether the 2002 Wings were the finest collection of talent ever assembled, it's hard to argue that the 2009 Hall of Fame class is not one of the finest. Joining the trio of former Wings for induction on Nov. 9 will be two-time Norris Trophy winner Brian Leetch and New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Igor Larionov, who also played for the 2002 Wings, was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, and several others from that team are considered shoo-ins for induction.

Robitaille, who signed with the Wings as a free agent for 2001-02 season, said the players then didn't spend much time wondering how they would be viewed in later years.

"Looking back today, it certainly was an amazing team," Robitaille said.

Yzerman said it was difficult to compare that team with dynasties like the Canadiens, Islanders and Oilers.

"We had guys who had good careers," Yzerman said. "We were a good collection, but at all different stages of our careers."

Unlike Yzerman, the fourth overall pick in the 1983 NHL draft, there were plenty of questions about whether Hull and Robitaille could make it in the league, let alone turn out to be worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Hull, son of Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, was a sixth-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 1984.

"It is hard to put into words what this means to me, especially since I'm joining my father in the Hockey Hall of Fame," Hull said in a statement.

Robitaille was selected three rounds after Hull by the Los Angeles Kings in 1984.

Robitaille, responding to a question about whether scouts aren't always right, said: "They got it right, they drafted me."

Lucky Luc, as he was known, never was considered a gifted skater. But it didn't stop him from making an impact.

"I knew no matter what, I always tried to give my best, and that's the reason I played so long," he said. "On the lighter side, the good thing about me is I never had a step, so I never lost it."

While everyone remembers Hull for his ability to score, Yzerman said few realize how good of an all-around player he was.

"Brett took pride in scoring goals -- he enjoyed it," Yzerman said. "But he took pride in being an all-around player and a complete player. He wanted to kill penalties. He wanted to be on the ice in the last minute of the game. I enjoyed that about him."

While Yzerman's ability to play in the NHL never was in question, there were times when people wondered if he could lead the Wings to a championship. He was nearly traded by Scotty Bowman, but that ordeal ultimately made him a stronger player.

"I was able to deal with adversity and come out of it and be a better player, which helped me when you get in situations like the semifinals and finals when things aren't going your way," Yzerman said.

While Robitaille and Hull came to the Wings establishing themselves on other teams, Yzerman was the face of the franchise from his first day.

He was happy to remain with the team for his entire career, winning three Cups as a player and another in 2008 as a member of the front office.

"Initially I was the young guy that was part of the rebuilding process," Yzerman said. "And then I was part of the group that was competing for a Stanley Cup, and fortunately we did win.

"And then toward the end of my career, I was able to fit in with a group of veteran guys teaching the younger players and biding time until they were ready to go."