Chris Pronger always seemed destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Going in this year is unprecedented, however, since he is still under contract as an NHL player.

His inclusion took a bylaw change that specifies a player's final game must be three full seasons ago. The defenseman last played in 2011 because of post-concussion syndrome.

"Nothing I've done has been the easy way, so I guess this would follow suit," Pronger said on a conference call Monday, brushing off any awkwardness about going into the Hall with two years left on his contract.

He was named along with Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov and former NHL star Phil Housley. Rounding out the class of seven are Angela Ruggiero, Bill Hay and Peter Karmanos Jr.

The Canadiens' record-setting goalie Carey Price claimed the Hart Trophy, the Vezina Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award at the NHL's annual postseason bash Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

Price also shared the already-announced Jennings Trophy with Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, but his hefty haul of hardware capped one of the greatest regular seasons for a goalie in NHL history.

"I'm just grateful," Price said. "I'm immeasurably blessed to do what I do."

Duncan Keith, 31, was the unanimous choice to win his first Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, adding it to a trophy case that includes three NHL championship rings, two Norris Trophies and two Olympic gold medals.

"It's a lot of feelings of happiness, obviously," Keith said. "But there's some relief we got the job done. We can take a breath now."