In the realm of the National Hockey League, each franchise boasts players whose achievements distinguish them among their peers. These individuals may include prolific scorers, adept defensemen, or remarkable goaltenders. A select few of these players are often regarded as the very best in their franchise's history, deserving of a spot on the team’s Mount Rushmore, which symbolizes the top four players of all time. For teams with extensive histories, identifying just four players can be a challenging task, while franchises with shorter tenures may find the selection process more straightforward. This discussion zeroes in on players from the past 25 years of NHL history, specifically beginning with the 2000-01 season. This timeframe enables a focus on athletes familiar to contemporary fans, taking into account their overall performance, postseason achievements, and contributions to their clubs during this era. It's noted that some players may hold a place on the Mount Rushmore of multiple teams, reflecting careers split between various franchises. Additionally, the analysis incorporates athletes who played for relocated teams, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth).

Starting with the Anaheim Ducks, their franchise Mount Rushmore features Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, the longest-serving captain in Ducks history, spent 12 seasons in that role and holds franchise records in games played (1,157), assists (737), and points (1,019). Perry, a former Hart Memorial Trophy and Maurice Richard Trophy winner, ranks second in franchise history for goals (372) and third in points (776). Hall of Famer Selänne shone for 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, leading in goals (457), assists (531), and total points (988). Giguère, a pivotal player in the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup victory, leads the franchise in wins (206) and shutouts (32). Similarly, the Boston Bruins' Mount Rushmore includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner and Hall of Famer, ranks third in games played (1,294) and has accumulated 1,040 points throughout his career. Chára, recognized as one of the best defensemen in NHL history, captained the team for 14 seasons and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2008-09. He shares in the accolade of winning the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, alongside Marchand and Pastrňák, the latter becoming the second Bruin to score at least 60 goals in a season.

The Buffalo Sabres' Mount Rushmore showcases Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek, with Miller leading the franchise in games played (540) and wins (284) as a Vezina Trophy winner in 2009-10. Pominville, who spent 11 years with the Sabres, ranks eighth in franchise history with 733 games played and 521 points. Dahlin is second among Sabres defensemen in points (360) and notable assists (277), while Vanek ranks first for goals since the 2000-01 season with 254. The Calgary Flames' Mount Rushmore features Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. Iginla, a Hall of Famer, tops franchise records while Kiprusoff stands as the goaltending leader with performances that included a Vezina Trophy in 2005-06. Giordano, a Norris Trophy winner, is third in games played and top ten in assists and points, while Gaudreau achieved the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2016-17 and maintains strong scoring records.

As for the Carolina Hurricanes, Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho make up their exclusive group. Brind'Amour, a Selke Trophy winner and Stanley Cup captain, sits among the franchise leaders with 299 assists and 473 points. Staal, a crucial player during the 2006 Cup run, is second all-time in goals and points. Slavin has made an impact with his defensive skill and two Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, while Aho is climbing the ranks with solid goal and assist totals. The Chicago Blackhawks' quartet includes Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane is notable for multiple accolades including the Calder and Hart Trophies. Toews also boasts a litany of awards, while Keith's addition to the Hockey Hall of Fame underscores his significance to the franchise.

The Colorado Avalanche’s Mount Rushmore reflects the prowess of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. MacKinnon has made his mark as a multiple award winner, while Makar is both a Calder and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and part of the franchise's recent successes. Sakic and Forsberg jointly anchored the franchise during their peak, both being Hockey Hall of Fame members and vital to Stanley Cup victories. The Columbus Blue Jackets feature Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky is a two-time Vezina Trophy recipient, while Nash remains the franchise goal-scoring leader. Werenski and Jenner continue to leave their respective marks in club history, contributing to both defensive and offensive strategies.

The Dallas Stars Mount Rushmore includes Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano's legacy is pivotal for the franchise, while Benn remains the only player to capture the Art Ross Trophy. Zubov adds his Hall of Fame recognition with key assists and defensive capabilities, alongside Turco as the goaltending mainstay. Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg round out the Detroit Red Wings’ Mount Rushmore. Lidström's seven Norris Trophies and leadership in the 2008 Cup-winning season highlight his excellence, while Yzerman and Datsyuk's Hall of Fame credentials emphasize their contribution to the team's storied legacy.

The Edmonton Oilers feature a selection of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. Since his debut, McDavid's achievements include being a multiple award winner, while Draisaitl joins him in elite scoring categories. Nugent-Hopkins also marks his place in club history with robust assist totals, while Smyth's long-standing contribution formed an integral part of the franchise. The Florida Panthers present a list of Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov's three Selke Trophies alongside Ekblad and Huberdeau’s scoring prowess contributed significantly to the team's success, punctuated by Luongo's legacy as the goaltending cornerstone.

Among the Los Angeles Kings' Mount Rushmore are Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar leads in scoring and games played, and Doughty’s Norris Trophy and impactful defensive presence cement his status. Quick’s goaltending records coupled with Brown's captaincy mark significant milestones for the franchise. The Minnesota Wild's selections include Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon. Koivu's long tenure and scoring records connect past with present, and Gáborík initiated success for the franchise, while Kaprizov’s elite scoring rapidly established him among the top echelon of talents.

From the Montreal Canadiens' Mount Rushmore, Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov represent a significant history. Price leads as the goaltending icon, while Koivu’s lengthy career saw him connect with notable goals and assists. Subban’s accolades and Markov’s consistent performance juxtapose the franchise’s legacy with competitive modernity. For the Nashville Predators, their franchise icons include Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi’s leadership as captain and excellence in defense rise to the forefront, paired with Rinne’s celebrated career in goal and Forsberg’s significant scoring.

Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš constitute the New Jersey Devils' elite group. All four hold multiple Stanly Cup victories and remain key figures within the franchise's rich history. The New York Islanders celebrate John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal as their top players, where Tavares’ scoring prowess stands out significantly, complemented by Barzal’s accolades and notable career achievements. The New York Rangers' selections highlight Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. Lundqvist's records as a goaltender are matched by Panarin’s offensive contributions, further solidifying both players' impact.

The Ottawa Senators' Mount Rushmore features Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden, where Alfredsson's legacy as the franchise leader represents excellence in scoring. In Philadelphia, Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné are remembered as vital components of the Flyers’ success. Finally, the Pittsburgh Penguins' iconic players include Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang, with Crosby’s individual accolades underscoring the franchise's winning culture during his tenure. The San Jose Sharks’ Mount Rushmore is led by Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov, all of whom contributed uniquely to the franchise over the years. From the Seattle Kraken, Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson represent the first chapter of their franchise's history. In the St. Louis Blues' Mount Rushmore, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko embody a franchise rich in character and achievement. To conclude, the Washington Capitals are represented by Alex Ovechkin, a key figure in goal-scoring, alongside teammate Nicklas Bäckström and goaltending great Olaf Kolzig.

This examination of players across multiple franchises of the National Hockey League calls attention to individual and collective legacies shaped across generations, through numbers, moments, and unforgettable performances on the ice.