Throughout the history of the NHL, each franchise has been represented by players whose accomplishments have significantly stood out among their peers. This group includes prolific scoring forwards, skilled defensemen, and exceptional goaltenders. A select few amongst them are often recognized as the very best and would likely find their likenesses etched on the team's Mount Rushmore, symbolizing the top four players in the organization’s history. For franchises with lengthy histories, narrowing down the list to just four individuals can be a challenging endeavor, whereas younger teams may find it easier to compile their selections.

In this analysis, we focus on players from the past 25 years of NHL history, starting from the 2000-01 season. This timeframe allows current fans to relate more closely to these athletes, given their performances, postseason achievements, and contributions to their respective teams during this era. Notably, some players on this list may have played for multiple franchises, thereby featuring on multiple teams' Mount Rushmores. Additionally, players from relocated teams, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth), are included.

For the Anaheim Ducks, notable players include Ryan Getzlaf, who served as the franchise’s captain for 12 seasons and holds records for games played (1,157), assists (737), and total points (1,019). Corey Perry, recognized as a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, ranks second in goals for the Ducks with 372 and third with 404 assists. Teemu Selänne, a certain Hall of Famer, holds the Ducks' franchise record for goals (457) while also being second in assists (531). Jean-Sébastien Giguère, another franchise icon, leads in wins (206) and shutouts (32) while playing a crucial role in the Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup victory.

The Boston Bruins' Mount Rushmore features Patrice Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, who ranks third in franchise history with 1,294 games played and 1,040 points. Zdeno Chára, a Hall of Famer who captained the Bruins for 14 seasons, received the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2009-10. Both players were instrumental in the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup win. Brad Marchand, also a key player in 2011, stands fourth all-time among Bruins with 422 goals and 1,090 games played, while David Pastrňák, a Maurice Richard Trophy winner, becomes the second Bruin to achieve 60 goals in a single season.

The Buffalo Sabres’ representation includes Ryan Miller, a Vezina Trophy winner, who lead all Sabres goalkeepers in games played (540) and wins (284). Jason Pominville is notable for his contributions over 11 seasons, ranking eighth in franchise history. Rasmus Dahlin and Thomas Vanek also feature prominently, with Vanek leading Sabres scorers since 2000-01 and Dahlin ranking second among all-time Sabres defensemen.

In Calgary, Jarome Iginla stands out as a Hall of Famer, leading the Flames in games played (1,219) and goals (525). Alongside him, Miikka Kiprusoff, a Vezina Trophy winner, is the franchise's goaltending leader, and Mark Giordano, who won the Norris Trophy, ranks high in games played. Johnny Gaudreau, who excelled in numerous seasons, also makes the list.

The Carolina Hurricanes highlight Rod Brind'Amour, a captain who led the team to the 2006 Stanley Cup and won the Frank J. Selke Trophy twice. Eric Staal, another pivotal player from the 2006 championship team, also features prominently on the list. Jaccob Slavin and Sebastian Aho further represent the team's legacy.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, this group is highlighted by Patrick Kane, a Calder Memorial Trophy and multiple award winner, and Jonathan Toews, a two-time champion. Duncan Keith, known for his many accolades, has contributed greatly as a leader of the defense. Brent Seabrook rounds out this lineup, reflecting Chicago's success in winning three Stanley Cups during the 2010s.

The Colorado Avalanche's decorated history features Nathan MacKinnon, who has earned multiple accolades since entering the league. Cale Makar also makes a significant impact, winning both the Calder and Norris Trophies. Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, both Hall of Famers, embody the franchise’s success, having won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sergei Bobrovsky remains notable as a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and franchise leader in several categories. Rick Nash, the franchise’s all-time leader in goals, and Zach Werenski, an assist leader, also contribute to this powerful representation. Boone Jenner, as a consistent performer, rounds out the list.

In Dallas, Mike Modano remains a legendary figure, representing the franchise with the most prominent historical markers. His legacy is matched by Jamie Benn, the only Dallas Star to win the Art Ross Trophy, and Sergei Zubov. Goaltender Marty Turco adds depth to the franchise's accomplishments through the years.

The Detroit Red Wings honor numerous legends, beginning with Nicklas Lidström, the franchise icon and multiple Norris Trophy winner who captained the team to success. Steve Yzerman, also a Hall of Famer and significant contributor, is joined on the Mount Rushmore by fellow franchise greats Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

Edmonton's representation prominently features Connor McDavid, who has revolutionized the game with multiple awards early in his career. Leon Draisaitl, with his impressive accolades, supports McDavid’s legacy. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and veteran Ryan Smyth help to complete the dominant team narrative.

The Florida Panthers showcase Aleksander Barkov, their franchise leader in games played and points, and Aaron Ekblad, a Calder Trophy winner. Jonathan Huberdeau also makes the list for his contributions, and Roberto Luongo remains a pivotal figure in goalkeeping history for the franchise.

The Los Angeles Kings feature Anze Kopitar, their franchise leader in games played and assists. Drew Doughty joins him, a key player on the blue line who has left a mark on the ice. Jonathan Quick has emerged as one of the greatest goaltenders in franchise history. Dustin Brown, captaining the Kings for several seasons, concludes their selection.

In Minnesota, Mikko Koivu represents the franchise through longevity and achievement, while Marián Gáborík was one of the organization’s first stars. Kirill Kaprizov, a recent standout, holds single-season records that showcase his talent and skill. Jared Spurgeon also contributes to this lineup of essential players.

Montreal’s dedication to excellence is encapsulated by Carey Price, a goaltender with staggering accomplishments. Career-long members like Saku Koivu and P.K. Subban have contributed heavily to the franchise’s rich tradition, alongside Andrei Markov.

For Nashville, Roman Josi leads as the franchise’s current captain and a Norris Trophy winner. Pekka Rinne, who has set notable standards in goalkeeping, along with Filip Forsberg and Shea Weber, remain essential parts of the conversation reflecting the Predators' history.

The New Jersey Devils’ history includes Martin Brodeur, the all-time leader in numerous goaltending statistics. Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer also exemplify defense excellence, while Patrik Eliáš holds numerous offensive records.

The New York Islanders are represented by John Tavares, one of the franchise's highest-scoring players. Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal offer a comprehensive look at the team's changing fortunes over the years.

For the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist holds the emblematic 'King Henrik' title. He has left a lasting legacy alongside Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, making a significant impact on the franchise's recent successes.

The Ottawa Senators honor Daniel Alfredsson, a prominent figure throughout franchise history. Erik Karlsson’s accomplishments are equally impressive, and Jason Spezza, along with Wade Redden, complete this selection.

The Philadelphia Flyers' persistence and determination through years are illustrated by Claude Giroux, who records numerous franchise highs. Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné also exhibit their importance in team history.

The Pittsburgh Penguins embrace superstars such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, both widely regarded as among the league's elite. Marc-André Fleury and Kris Letang further etch their names into Penguins lore through their performances.

For the San Jose Sharks, Patrick Marleau holds the franchise records for most games played and points. Joe Thornton, along with Brent Burns and Evgeni Nabokov, reflect on a formidable era that the Sharks experienced during their existence.

The Seattle Kraken’s emergence showcases players like Jared McCann, who holds the franchise records in goals. Vince Dunn and Jordan Eberle are important figures as the team develops, with Adam Larsson providing leadership.

The St. Louis Blues include Alex Pietrangelo, who played a pivotal role in the franchise’s first Stanley Cup victory. The impact of Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko supports the strong legacy they aim to continue into the future.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's iconic players, such as Steven Stamkos, continue to demonstrate their importance within the team. Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman encapsulate Tampa Bay's growing success.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made history through players like Auston Matthews, recognized for his scoring ability. Mats Sundin features a legendary legacy, supported by Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly's contributions.

The Utah Mammoth reflect upon their time as the Coyotes, highlighting Shane Doan's historic tenure. Players like Clayton Keller and Oliver Ekman-Larsson represent the continued evolution of this franchise.

The Vancouver Canucks celebrate the contributions of twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who have left an indelible mark on the franchise. Markus Näslund and Quinn Hughes support this strong historical narrative.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights look towards Marc-André Fleury, who played a critical role during their inaugural season, as well as Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore. Jack Eichel's recent successes further advance this new team's legacy.

This detailed examination of the top players presents a fascinating view into individual and team contributions within the NHL, showcasing the impact of these athletes across the league in the last quarter-century.