Top 10 NHL Players of All-Time

August 6, 2024

The NHL has been home to some of the greatest athletes in sports history.

These NHL legends have defined eras, shattered records, and brought excitement to hockey lovers all over the world.

Greatest NHL Players List

Here are the top 10 NHL players of all time (in our opinion), based on their career stats, achievements, and overall impact on the game.

1. Wayne Gretzky

NHL Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,487
Goals: 894 (0.60 goals per game)
Assists: 1,963 (1.32 assists per game)
Points: 2,857 (1.92 points per game)

Known as “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky is regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time.

Wayne Gretzky’s records for goals, assists, and points are likely to stand for many years.

Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and received the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP nine times.

2. Gordie Howe

NHL Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,767
Goals: 801 (0.45 goals per game)
Assists: 1,049 (0.59 assists per game)
Points: 1,850 (1.05 points per game)

Gordie Howe, known as “Mr. Hockey,” played an incredible 26 seasons in the NHL.

His combination of skill, toughness, and longevity made him one of the sport’s most iconic figures.

Howe won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and was a six-time Hart Trophy winner.

3. Mario Lemieux

NHL Career Stats:

Games Played: 915
Goals: 690 (0.75 goals per game)
Assists: 1,033 (1.13 assists per game)
Points: 1,723 (1.88 points per game)

Mario Lemieux, often referred to as “Super Mario,” overcame many health challenges to become one of the most dominant players in NHL history.

He won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and three Hart Trophies.

Lemieux’s career points-per-game average of 1.88 is second only to Gretzky.

4. Bobby Orr

Career Stats:

Games Played: 657
Goals: 270 (0.41 goals per game)
Assists: 645 (0.98 assists per game)
Points: 915 (1.39 points per game)

Bobby Orr revolutionized the defenseman position with his offensive prowess and skating ability.

He won two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins and eight Norris Trophies as the league’s best defenseman.

Orr’s career was cut short by injuries, but his impact on the game remains unparalleled.

5. Maurice “Rocket” Richard

Career Stats:

Games Played: 978
Goals: 544 (0.56 goals per game)
Assists: 421 (0.43 assists per game)
Points: 965 (0.99 points per game)

Maurice “Rocket” Richard was the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games and the first to reach 500 career goals.

Richard’s fierce competitiveness and scoring ability helped the Montreal Canadiens win eight Stanley Cups during his career.

The league’s top goal-scorer trophy is named in his honor.

6. Jaromir Jagr

Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,733
Goals: 766 (0.44 goals per game)
Assists: 1,155 (0.67 assists per game)
Points: 1,921 (1.11 points per game)

Jaromir Jagr’s longevity and skill have made him one of the highest-scoring players in NHL history.

Jagr won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Hart Trophy once.

His ability to adapt and remain productive into his 40s is a testament to his conditioning and talent.

7. Jean Beliveau

Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,125
Goals: 507 (0.45 goals per game)
Assists: 712 (0.63 assists per game)
Points: 1,219 (1.08 points per game)

Jean Beliveau was a model of excellence and leadership during his career with the Montreal Canadiens.

He won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and seven more as an executive.

8. Mark Messier

Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,756
Goals: 694 (0.40 goals per game)
Assists: 1,193 (0.68 assists per game)
Points: 1,887 (1.07 points per game)

Mark Messier is the only player to captain two different teams (Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers) to Stanley Cup victories.

He won six Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies.

Messier’s leadership and clutch performances have solidified his legacy as one of the game’s greatest.

9. Sidney Crosby

Career Stats (as of August 2024):

Games Played: 1,190
Goals: 550 (0.46 goals per game)
Assists: 950 (0.80 assists per game)
Points: 1,500 (1.26 points per game)

Sidney Crosby has been the face of the NHL since entering the league in 2005.

He has won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and two Hart Trophies.

Crosby’s skill, vision, and competitive drive has made him one of the best players of his generation.

10. Ray Bourque

Career Stats:

Games Played: 1,612
Goals: 410 (0.25 goals per game)
Assists: 1,169 (0.73 assists per game)
Points: 1,579 (0.98 points per game)

Ray Bourque is one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history.

He spent the majority of his career with the Boston Bruins before winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

Bourque won five Norris Trophies and holds the record for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenseman.

Greatest NHL Players Statistics

These ten players have firmly notched their status as the greatest in the history of the sport.

Player	Games	Gls	Asts	Pts
1. Wayne Gretzky	1,487	894	1,963	2,857
2. Gordie Howe	1,767	801	1,049	1,850
3. Mario Lemieux	915	690	1,033	1,723
4. Bobby Orr	657	270	645	915
5. Maurice Richard	978	544	421	965
6. Jaromir Jagr	1,733	766	1,155	1,921
7. Jean Beliveau	1,125	507	712	1,219
8. Mark Messier	1,756	694	1,193	1,887
9. Sidney Crosby	1,190	550	950	1,500
10. Ray Bourque	1,612	410	1,169	1,579