Nov 28, 1997; Miami, FL; USA; FILE PHOTO; Colorado Avalanche forward Joe Sakic (19) on the ice during the 1997-98 season against the Florida Panthers at Miami Arena. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Who is the greatest player for every team in NHL history? This is what we came up with. Let us know if you agree or disagree:
Anaheim Ducks: 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” has his jersey retired by the Ducks and led the team to its first Stanley Cup
Boston Bruins: 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 )
The greatest defenseman in NHL history
Buffalo Sabres: 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)
Some might argue for first-ever draft pick Gilbert Perreault, but Hasek is widely considered one of the best all-time goaltenders
Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla
Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla (12) passes the puck during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Flames 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
An icon who led the Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup
Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind’Amour
January 4, 2008; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward (17) Rod Brind”Amour works the puck out of the corner against the Atlanta Thrashers in the second period at Philips Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Thrashers 4 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine USA TODAY Sports
Ron Francis holds a special place in the hearts of Hartford Whalers fans, but Brind’Amour led Carolina to the 2006 Stanley Cup and won Playoff MVP
Colorado Avalanche: 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)
Helped the team win two Stanley Cups and is a leader in almost every statistical category
Chicago Blackhawks: 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.
Known as “The Golden Jet”, Hull changed the game with his blazing speed.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash
Rick Nash. For publication 10/7/2010 Rick Nash
The team’s first-overall pick in 2002, Nash helped put hockey on the map in Columbus
Dallas Stars: Mike Modano
DALLAS – JANUARY 22: Mike Modano #9 of the 1999 Dallas Stars Stanley Cup team walks with the Stanley Cup during the 1999 Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Reunion at the American Airlines Center on January 22, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Has the record for most goals by a U.S.-born player
Detroit Red Wings: 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”
Edmonton Oilers: 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)
The Great One
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov
SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 16: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers skates prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Amerant Bank Arena on March 16, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Roberto Luongo and Pavel Bure were fantastic, but Barkov is one of the best two-way centers to play the game.
He’s one of the highest-scoring left wingers in NHL history
Minnesota Wild: Mikko Koivu
October 21, 2006; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota Wild center (9) Mikko Koivu stops behind the net during the 1st period at the HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 James Guillory
The heart of the franchise, Koivu was one of the best defensive forwards ever.
Montreal Canadians: Maurice Richard
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: A close-up view of the Montreal Canadiens logo on a jersey during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Better known as “The Rocket”, Richard won eight Stanley Cups and led the league in goals five times.
Nashville Predators: Roman Josi
Feb 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) awaits a face off against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Just edges out Pekka Rinne.
New Jersey Devils: 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)
Winner of three Stanley Cups, Brodeur was considered the best goalie in the league for years
New York Islanders: 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)
Shout out to Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin, but Bossy was the ultimate goal-scoring sniper
New York Rangers: Brian Leetch
Brian Leetch #2, Captain and Defenseman for the New York Rangers in motion on the ice during the NHL Eastern Conference Atlantic Division game against the New Jersey Devils on 16th December 1997 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The New Jersey Devils won the game 4 – 3. (Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
Mark Messier helped bring the Stanley Cup to New York, but Leetch was a mainstay in the Rangers lineup
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 16: A detailed view of the Philadelphia Flyers’ logo seen on a jersey during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on December 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Bernie Parent was a close second, but Clarke’s grit made the “Broad Street Bullies” one of the toughest teams in the NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins: 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)
Sidney Crosby deserves recognition, but “Super Mario” was truly dominant on the ice
San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton
Apr 10, 2006; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks center (19) Joe Thornton against the Phoenix Coyotes at Glendale Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Copyright Rick Scuteri
Led the Sharks to their own Stanley Cup Final appearance
Seattle Kraken: Jared McCann
OTTAWA, CANADA – DECEMBER 02: Detailed view of the Seattle Kraken logo on Joey Daccord #35 of the Seattle Kraken jersey during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 02, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
Leads the newest NHL franchise in goals
St. Louis Blues: 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)
Bernie Federko had 10 straight 20-goal seasons, but Hull had three 70+ goal seasons in his time in St. Louis
Tampa Bay Lightning: Nikita Kucherov
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 19: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his third-period empty-net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on March 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
One of the all-time best playoff performers
Toronto Maple Leafs: Dave Keon
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is seen on a jersey during the third period of a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on October 19, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Won the Stanley Cup four times as well as the Conn Smythe, Lady Byng, and Rookie of the Year
Utah Hockey Club (Formerly Arizona Coyotes): Clayton Keller
KEARNS, UTAH – OCTOBER 07: A close-up of the Utah Hockey Club logo on practice jersey at Utah’s Olympic Oval on October 07, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Doan is the best and most impactful player in Arizona Coyotes history; Clayton Keller is the heart and soul of the Utah franchise
Vancouver Canucks: Henrik Sedin
Jan 2, 2009; Atlanta, GA, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) shots the puck on goal from in the first period at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sedin is the franchise’s leader in points, assists, and games played
Vegas Golden Knights: Mark Stone
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
He was the Captain of the 2023 Stanley Cup-winning team. Jack Eichel will likely supplant Stone sometime soon if he continues his stellar play
Washington Capitals: 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)
Soon will be the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history
Winnipeg Jets: Dale Hawerchuk
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 04: A close-up detail of the Winnipeg Jets logo seen during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
There is a statue outside the Jets’ Arena honoring Hawerchuk’s legacy
