There no doubt that both Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility -- whenever that may be. The two 40-year-old players are still highly productive NHL players and important members of the leadership groups of their respective teams.

One of the more interesting side-stories to the rest of their careers will be which player will finish with more regular season goals when they decide to hang up their skates.

Jagr is currently 11th on the NHL's all-time list with 664 goals (18 to date this season) in 1,332 games. He is four away from tying Luc Robitaille for 10th. Meanwhile, Selanne is hot on Jagr's heels with 658 goals (21 this season) in 1,328 games.

Speaking from a strictly statistical point of view -- not to mention their respective personal and professional journeys -- the two European living legends took different paths to arrive at the same destination.

Jagr had a head start in the NHL. He arrived in the NHL two seasons ahead of Teemu, and was 18 years old in his debut season to Selanne's 22 years of age. Selanne made up the ground many years later. While Jagr was playing in the KHL for three seasons until his NHL return this year, Selanne gained 192 games and 85 goals on him in the NHL.

It would make for a fascinating debate as to which player people would say has had the better career, when you take everything into account. For example, Jagr won Stanley Cups in each of his first two seasons, while Selanne took the hockey world by storm with his magical 76 goals as a rookie.

When you compare both team and individual awards, Jagr comes out ahead. He's a six-time Hart Trophy finalist (one time winner), three time Pearson Award winner (MVP as chosen by the players, now called the Ted Lindsay Award), five-time Art Ross Trophy winner, two-time Cup winner, a one-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time IIHF World Championship gold medalist. Selanne owns one Stanley Cup ring, Olympic and World Championship silver medals, a Calder Trophy, a pair of Maurice Richard Trophies (created in 1998-99) and a Masterton Trohpy.

A better playmaker who has often played with superior linemates, Jagr's career 981 assists (12th all-time) and 1,645 points (8th all-time) are unreachable for Selanne. The Finnish Flash has 740 career assists (43rd all-time) and 1,398 points (tied with countryman and Hall of Famer Jari Kurri for 20th all-time).

However, when you compare their personal reputation over the course of their entire careers, Selanne probably comes out ahead. Teemu has been beloved not only in Finland but around the hockey world for many, many years. Even when playing away games in other cities, fans respected him.

With Jagr, well, it's complicated. He has been an icon in the Czech Republic -- in ways that go far beyond sports -- for two-plus decades. Fellow Czech players revere him. But in the NHL, depending on whom you talk to, he was either one of the league's most misunderstood figures or a self-absorbed prima donna until very late in his career.

Jagr was a positive force on the New York Rangers after his bitter departure from Pittsburgh and disappointing stint in Washington. Upon joining Philadelphia this season, he has been of huge value to the team beyond simple statistics.

His extraordinary work ethic, playful sense of humor, willingness to take youngsters under his wing and, yes, his outright unselfishness are geared only toward helping the team win.

Most recently, with the team racked by injuries up front and Jagr nursing a hip injury that forced him to leave the Flyers win over Detroit in the second period, the player went to head coach Peter Laviolette and volunteered to play on the fourth line until his hip felt better. Even then, Jagr managed to score a goal in his next game.

While Jagr is still detested in Pittsburgh -- it didn't help that he rejected a return to Pittsburgh to sign with Philadelphia this season -- he has become as beloved among his Flyers teammates as Selanne is by his comrades in Anaheim. He's been a delight for the local media, a great ambassador for the team with fans and just about any other peripheral bonus to his still-effective play on the ice.

The only downside to Jagr at this point is injuries. He has missed nine games and had to leave about a half-dozen other ones games early this season due to assorted lower body injuries, especially groin pulls. Selanne, who has wonky knees, has been able to dress in every game this year but his health has also been somewhat tenuous in recent years.

THE BUZZ

1. Will Jagr or Selanne finish with more career goals?
2. Would you rather have Jagr or Selanne on your team right now?
3. Would you rather have Jagr or Selanne at the height of their primes?