Each NHL team boasts a roster of players whose accomplishments have significantly impacted their franchise. These athletes include prolific scorers, skilled defensemen, and outstanding goaltenders. Among them, a select few are often recognized as the pinnacle of their team's history, akin to an iconic Mount Rushmore featuring the top four players of all time. For franchises with extensive histories, narrowing the list to just four players presents challenges, while younger teams may find this task more manageable. This analysis focuses specifically on the past 25 years of NHL history, commencing with the 2000-01 season, spotlighting players who are more familiar to contemporary fans due to their overall performance, postseason success, and value to their respective clubs throughout this timeframe. It is noteworthy that some players may appear on multiple teams' Mount Rushmore, highlighting their impactful careers across different franchises. This includes athletes associated with relocated teams, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth).

For the Anaheim Ducks, the revered quartet includes Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, a long-serving captain of the Ducks, holds franchise records with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 points. Perry, a notable forward, captured the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy during the 2010-11 season and ranks second with 372 goals. Selänne, a future Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, leading the franchise with 457 goals. Giguère, recognized for his exceptional goaltending, is the Ducks' all-time leader with 206 wins, having played a pivotal role in the team's 2007 Stanley Cup victory alongside these key players.

For the Boston Bruins, the prominent figures are Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron has been honored with the Frank J. Selke Trophy multiple times and ranks third among Bruins players with 1,294 games played and 1,040 points. Chára, a Hall of Famer and former captain, led the Bruins during their 2011 Stanley Cup championship run. Pastrňák, a standout scorer, made his mark by being only the second player in Bruins history to net at least 60 goals in a season. Lastly, Marchand, a key contributor to the Bruins' championship run in 2011, has amassed 1,090 games played and 422 goals for the franchise.

The Buffalo Sabres celebrate their own legends with Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. Miller, awarded the Vezina Trophy, leads the Sabres in games played and wins, solidifying his place in franchise history. Pominville's significant contributions include ranking eighth in franchise history with 521 points. Dahlin, a rising star, sits second in points for Sabres defensemen. Vanek, a top scorer for the Sabres since 2000-01, leads with 254 goals and ranks second in points with 497.

In Calgary, Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau are celebrated. Iginla's credentials include being the franchise leader in games played and goals, cementing his Hall of Fame status. Kiprusoff, a Vezina Trophy winner, holds several franchise goaltending records. Giordano, a dual James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, ranks high among Flames defensemen. Gaudreau, a dynamic winger, contributed significantly to the team's success during his tenure.

The Carolina Hurricanes mount an impressive display with Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho. Brind'Amour's leadership led the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006, complemented by his Selke Trophy accolades. Staal sits second among franchise leaders in goals and points, helping to secure the 2006 Cup. Slavin's two Lady Byng Memorial Trophy wins and Aho's rising star power add to the franchise's depth and success.

The Chicago Blackhawks' quintessential lineup features Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane's impressive accolades include multiple awards, including the Conn Smythe Trophy. Toews, instrumental to Chicago's championship runs, also garnered notable individual honors. Keith, a cornerstone defenseman, has left a significant legacy in Blackhawks history. Seabrook's longevity and contributions further elevate this legendary quartet.

In Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg represent the pinnacle of excellence. MacKinnon has quickly ascended to stardom, collecting multiple awards since his debut. Makar, the Calder Trophy winner, further established himself with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Franchise legends Sakic and Forsberg were critical to the Avalanche's Stanley Cup victories in the late '90s and early 2000s.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, leaders include Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky's accolades include two Vezina Trophies, highlighting his status as the franchise's premier goaltender. Nash, with his remarkable scoring record, led the franchise in goals. Werenski's solid defensive play and Jenner's extensive contributions set a solid foundation for the team.

The Dallas Stars recognize Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco as their top four. Modano's legacy as the franchise leader in numerous categories cemented his status. Benn's scoring prowess and Zubov's impressive contributions from the blue line further establish this group's importance, while Turco’s goaltending excellence has significantly shaped the team’s narrative.

The Detroit Red Wings boast a legendary lineup with Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström, a seven-time Norris Trophy winner, combined skill and leadership to achieve notable milestones. Yzerman's franchise records and championship leadership solidified his legacy. Datsyuk excelled as a two-way forward, while Zetterberg's clutch performances and contributions further enhanced this historic team.

The Edmonton Oilers celebrate their own legends in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid, among the league's most electrifying players, has captured numerous individual accolades. Draisaitl, a dual trophy winner, is complementary to McDavid's success. Nugent-Hopkins and Smyth round out this impressive quartet with substantial franchise contributions.

In Florida, key figures include Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov’s leadership and performance have made him a central figure in the franchise. Ekblad, a former Calder winner, and Huberdeau’s scoring skills underline their valuable contributions, while Luongo's goaltending excellence established franchise records.

The Los Angeles Kings honor Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar's leadership and performance mark him as one of the franchise's greats. Doughty clinched the Norris Trophy and has been instrumental during the team's success, while Quick’s goaltending anchored championship runs and Brown’s captaincy brought stability during critical periods.

For the Minnesota Wild, the notable names are Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon. Koivu's impressive tenure as captain and Gáborík’s scoring highlight key contributions to the franchise. Kaprizov emerged as a star and Spurgeon’s ongoing success enhances the team’s history.

In Montreal, Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov shine as key players. Price holds records for games played and wins in goal, establishing his legacy. Koivu's long tenure and legacy further solidify his historic status with the Canadiens, while Subban's accolades and Markov’s impressive contributions highlight the notable skills of these players.

Nashville features Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi leads in numerous categories and won a Norris Trophy, while Rinne’s excellence between the pipes shaped the franchise’s narrative. Forsberg’s goal scoring and Weber’s leadership highlight a storied history.

The New Jersey Devils recognize Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš as franchise greats. Brodeur's records and accolades validate his legendary status, while Stevens and Niedermayer contributed significantly as defensemen, winning three Stanley Cups together. Eliáš’s scoring prowess further accentuates his key role in the organization’s history.

The New York Islanders celebrate John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal. Tavares's scoring and leadership, along with Nelson's solid contributions, engage the franchise’s faithful. Lee's captaincy and Barzal’s individual achievements further highlight this group’s excellence.

The New York Rangers' top four includes Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. Lundqvist’s accolades as one of the franchise's greatest goaltenders firmly establish his legacy. Panarin has continued to deliver strong performances since joining the team, highlighted by his substantial point totals. Kreider's scoring and Fox's Norris Trophy emphasize their importance in recent years.

The Ottawa Senators honor Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden. Alfredsson's scoring and leadership shaped the franchise, while Karlsson's Norris Trophy accolades stand out. Spezza and Redden's contributions help weave a rich history for the Senators.

Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné represent the Philadelphia Flyers’ stellar lineup. Giroux’s lengthy service as captain and offensive threat establishes him as a key contributor. Couturier’s defensive skills, Voráček’s consistency, and Gagné’s scoring prowess demonstrate vital aspects of this franchise’s legacy.

The Pittsburgh Penguins exalt Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Crosby’s records and championships highlight his impact, while Malkin has added to the storied legacy. Fleury's key goaltending moments and Letang’s consistent defensive play connect this quartet with numerous accolades.

For the San Jose Sharks, the key names are Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov. Marleau’s scoring and longevity define his franchise legacy while Thornton was instrumental across multiple seasons. Burns’ recent accomplishments and Nabokov’s exceptional goaltending help set the stage for Sharks history.

The Seattle Kraken's foundational players are Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson. McCann’s impressive scoring records, Dunn’s contributions on defense, Eberle's scoring abilities, and Larsson’s steadfast presence during the inaugural seasons shape the squad's growth.

For the St. Louis Blues, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko are highlighted. Pietrangelo’s leadership during the Stanley Cup win in 2019 stands out, while O'Reilly’s accolades reflect his impact. Pronger’s contributions as a Hall of Famer and Tarasenko’s goal-scoring prowess enrich this legacy.

The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman. Stamkos' leadership and scoring marks a significant presence in team history. Kucherov's accolades and St. Louis’s legendary contributions frame essential moments in Lightning lore, enhanced by Hedman’s defensive capabilities.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly are recognized. Matthews' goal-scoring prowess, Sundin’s leadership, and Marner’s playmaking highlight essential contributions. Rielly’s skillful presence on defense rounds out this impressive roster.

In Phoenix, Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov mark the franchise. Doan's comprehensive career with the Coyotes remains a cornerstone of this franchise's narrative. Keller, Ekman-Larsson, and Bryzgalov play key roles in weaving the history of a team that has evolved over the years.

The Vancouver Canucks honor Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes. The Sedin twins’ legacy, alongside Näslund's impressive scoring, has formed a substantial legacy for the franchise, while Hughes’ recent accolades highlight the future prospects of the Canucks.

For the Vegas Golden Knights, Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel are significant. Fleury’s role in the Stanley Cup Final solidified his place in their inaugural season, while Marchessault’s leadership and Eichel’s contributions frame a promising future for the franchise.

Finally, the Washington Capitals' Mount Rushmore includes Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Bäckström, Olaf Kolzig, and John Carlson. Ovechkin's all-time scoring prowess, together with Bäckström's major contributions, highlights their respective importance in Capitals history. Kolzig, a franchise goaltending leader, and Carlson’s defensive skills further enhance the organization's elite talent.