LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 02: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Los Angeles Kings looks on during warm ups of a NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on November 2, 1990 at the USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
As with any sport, it is hard to determine who the “best” is. However, in hockey, the best player is clearly Wayne Gretzky. But who are the other greatest all-time players? Here is a list of the top 25 best NHL players of all time. Did we miss your favorite? Did we get the order wrong? Leave us a comment and let us know.
25. Connor McDavid
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
On his way to all-time greatness
24. Teemu Selanne
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 24: Teemu Selanne #8 of Finland celebrates after their 2-0 win during the ice hockey men’s quarter final game between Finland and the Czech Republic on day 13 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at UBC Thunderbird Arena on February 24, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
The Finnish Flash
23. Brett Hull
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – CIRCA 1988: Brett Hull #16 of the St. Louis Blues warms up prior to the start of an NHL Hockey game against the New Jersey Devils circa 1988 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Hulls playing career went from 1986-2005. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Goal-scoring machine.
22. Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur #30, Goalkeeper for the New Jersey Devils tending goal during the NHL Eastern Conference Atlantic Division game against the Minnesota Wild on 21st January 2001 at the Xcel Energy Center Arena in St Paul, Minnesota, United States. The Devils won the game 4 – 2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The greatest puck-handling goalie to ever live.
21. Chris Chelios
DETROIT – MAY 20: Chris Chelios #24 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Anaheim Ducks in game five of the 2007 Western Conference finals during the NHL Playoffs on May 20, 2007 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Ducks won 2-1 in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
Some say he is the greatest U.S. hockey player ever.
20. Ken Dryden
MONTREAL, QC – MAY, 1971: Goalie Ken Dryden #29 of the Montreal Canadiens defends the net as his teammate Jacques Laperriere #2 shoots the puck out of the zone as Stan Mikita #21 of the Chicago Blackhawks follows from behind duirng a 1971 Stanley Cup Finals game circa May, 1971 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Six Stanley Cups in his seven-year career.
19. Phil Esposito
NEW YORK, NY – 1972: Phil Esposito #7 of the Boston Bruins skates on the ice with the puck during an NHL game against the New York Rangers circa 1972 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Espo could score goals in bunches.
18. Guy LaFleur
2004 Season: Guy Lafleur during his playing days with the Montreal Canadiens And Player Guy Lafleur. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
No one scored goals like “The Flower”.
17. Paul Coffey
Canadian hockey player Paul Coffey of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the New York islanders at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, February 7, 1984. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
One of the greatest offensive defensemen to have played.
16. Mark Messier
BOSTON, MA – MAY 24: Mark Messier #11 (right) of the Edmonton Oilers helps out teammate Joe Murphy drink from the Stanley Cup in the locker room as they celebrate their Game 5 win over the Boston Bruins on May 24, 1990 at the Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. The Oilers defeated the Bruins 4-1 and won the Series 4 games to 1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers Legend.
15. Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman #19, Captain and Center for the Detroit Red Wings in motion on the ice during the NHL Eastern Conference Central Division game against the New York Islanders on 2nd November 2001 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The Red Wings won the game 2 – 1. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Allsport/Getty Images)
Red Wings Legend who was a fantastic two-way forward.
14. Joe Sakic
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 10: Joe Sakic #19 of the Colorado Avalanche takes the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after the Avalanche defeated the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals on June 10, 1996 at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)
One of the most respected players of his generation.
13. Nicklas Lidstrom
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 2: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings skates during Game 4 of the 2007 NHL Western Conference Semifinals against the San Jose Sharks on May 2, 2007 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The Red Wings won the game 3-2. (Photo by Don Smith/Getty Images)
A defenseman’s defenseman.
12. Bobby Hull
(Original Caption) One of hockey’s top stars, Bobby Hull, of the Chicago Black Hawks, almost seems to be shunning the limelight at the moment during a National Hockey League game against the New York Rangers in New York February 26th. Or maybe he is so good that he can move the puck around the ice with his eyes shut. The Rangers kept their eyes open and on Bobby, often keeping two men on a Hull watch. He only got three shots at the goal. With one of them, he scored.
Would have had even bigger numbers if not for his time in the WHA.
11. Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hasek #39, Goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres looks on from in front of the goal post during the NHL Eastern Conference Northeast Division game against the St Louis Blues on 22nd October 1995 at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York, United States. The Sabres won the game 5 – 2. (Photo by Harry Scull Jr./Allsport/Getty Images)
He was the greatest goalie in the world for a time.
10. Mike Bossy
UNIONDALE, NY – 1984: Mike Bossy #22 of the New York Islanders skates during a game in 1984 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Mike Bossy played for the Islanders from 1977 -1987. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Highest average goals per game in NHL history.
9. Patrick Roy
Canadian professional hockey player Patrick Roy of the Montreal Canadiens hoists the Stanley Cup over his head as he celebrates their championship victory over the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal, Canada, June 9, 1993. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
The creator of the Butterfly technique.
8. Ray Bourque
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 21: Ray Bourque #77 of the Wales Conference and the Boston Bruins skates on the ice during warm-ups before the 1990 41st NHL All-Star Game against the Campbell Conference on January 21, 1990 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Wales Conference defeated the Campbell Conference 12-7. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
13 First-Team All-star selections.
7. Jaromir Jagr
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: Jaromir Jagr #66 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck during a NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on January 1, 1996 at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Second in points in NHL history.
6. Alex Ovechkin
VANCOUVER, CANADA – MARCH 16: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates during the first period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 16, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
If anyone can break Gretzky’s record, it could be him.
5. Sidney Crosby
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 15: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center on February 15, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
An offensive juggernaut.
4. Gordie Howe
BLOOMINGTON, MN – MARCH 17: Gordie Howe #9 of the Detroit Red Wings skates on the ice during an NHL game against the Minnesota North Stars on March 17, 1968 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Mr. Hockey.
3. Bobby Orr
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – CIRCA 1970: Bobby Orr #4 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Buffalo Sabres circa 1970 at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Robert Shaver/Bruce Bennett Collection/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images )
Greatest Defenseman of all time.
2. Mario Lemieux
Canadian professional hockey player Mario Lemieux, forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, pose with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Pens celebrate their second straight Stanley Cup Championship after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 in game four, Chicago, June 1, 1992. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
If not for Gretzky, he’s number one for sure.
1. Wayne Gretzky
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 11: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers skates on the ice during an NHL game against the New Jersey Devils on November 11, 1982 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
