Each NHL franchise has players whose achievements have distinguished them among their peers. From prolific scorers to adept defensemen and exceptional goaltenders, certain players have marked their teams' histories. Among these athletes, a select few can be deemed the pinnacle of greatness—akin to being sculpted on their team’s Mount Rushmore, representing the top four players of all time. The challenge of narrowing down this list varies; teams with extensive histories face greater difficulty in selection than franchises with shorter backgrounds. This discussion will spotlight players from the last 25 NHL seasons, commencing with the 2000-01 campaign. The focus will be on those whose performances resonate with today’s fans, considering factors such as overall achievements, postseason success, and their beloved status during this timeframe.

Beginning with the Anaheim Ducks, the notable players include Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, the longest-serving captain in Ducks history, boasts franchise records with 1,157 games, 737 assists, and 1,019 points. Perry clinched the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy during the 2010-11 season, ranking second in team history with 372 goals and third with 776 points. A Hall of Famer, Selänne spent a significant part of his career with the Ducks, leading with 457 goals and second in assists with 531. Giguère, the franchise’s all-time winningest goaltender, recorded 206 wins and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023, demonstrating his crucial role in the Ducks’ Stanley Cup triumph in 2007.

Transitioning to the Boston Bruins, the franchise is represented by Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy recipient, ranks third in Bruins history with 1,294 games played and had a major contribution to the 2011 Stanley Cup victory alongside Chára, who captained the team for 14 seasons and previously won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Pastrňák, notable for scoring 60 goals in a season, earned the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2019-20 and ranks fourth among active NHL scorers since his debut. Marchand, also part of the 2011 Cup-winning team, holds fourth place with 1,090 games played and 422 goals.

The Buffalo Sabres are represented by Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. Miller, awarded the Vezina Trophy in 2009-10, leads the franchise in games played for a goaltender and wins. Pominville had a lengthy tenure with the Sabres and ranks among the franchise leaders in multiple categories. Dahlin, excelling at just 26, ranks second in franchise history among defensemen in points. Vanek, who dominated the scoring charts since the 2000-01 season, leads with 254 goals. Each Sabre played pivotal parts in the team’s legacy.

For the Calgary Flames, the Mount Rushmore consists of Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. Iginla, a Hall of Famer, holds the franchise records for games played, goals, and points and won multiple trophies during his career. Kiprusoff, a Vezina Trophy recipient, stands as the franchise's all-time leader in numerous goaltending statistics. Giordano made his mark by winning the Norris Trophy and contributing significantly over years of service. Gaudreau's impact is noted through his awards and contributions to the franchise's scoring.

The Carolina Hurricanes spotlight Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho. Brind'Amour, a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, ranks high in franchise stats. Staal was integral during the 2006 Cup run, while Slavin, a Lady Byng Trophy winner, continues to impress as a defenseman. Aho, achieving highs early in his career, rounds out this talented group.

The Chicago Blackhawks highlight the accomplishments of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook, each integral during multiple Stanley Cup victories. Kane's achievements, including accolades in scoring, are matched by Toews’ leadership qualities and their development under coach Joel Quenneville. Keith’s and Seabrook’s defensive prowess were key components in the Blackhawks’ successes.

Among the Colorado Avalanche’s elite players are Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. The Avalanche have benefitted significantly from the talents of MacKinnon and Makar, who have already earned various accolades. Sakic and Forsberg are franchise legends, having led the team to Stanley Cup victories in 1996 and 2001, respectively.

The Columbus Blue Jackets feature Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky stands out with two Vezina Trophy wins and numerous franchise records as a goaltender. Nash remains a fan favorite for his significant contributions during his tenure. Werenski captures attention with his assist totals while Jenner leads in games played.

The Dallas Stars' roster includes Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano, a Hall of Famer, leads the franchise in multiple categories, while Benn remains a notable figure with his Art Ross Trophy win. Zubov's and Turco's respective careers captured numerous accolades and significant contributions to the team’s history.

In Detroit, the legacy is represented by Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström’s major achievements include multiple Norris trophies, while Yzerman left an indelible mark through his leadership. Datsyuk's accolades include the Lady Byng and Selke trophies, while Zetterberg contributed to the team’s success with high points totals.

The Edmonton Oilers have a solid lineup featuring Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid stands tall among the current elite with numerous awards, while Draisaitl showcases his talents through various trophies. Together, they shaped the team’s recent successes.

The Florida Panthers are marked by the endeavors of Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov leads the franchise in multiple categories, and Ekblad’s Calder Trophy win captured attention early in his career. Huberdeau also ranks high in franchise points.

In Los Angeles, a prominent quartet includes Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown, each tagging significant moments in franchise history. Their achievements resonate strongly with fans as key members in playoff runs.

The Minnesota Wild highlight Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon. Each player has made a lasting impact on the franchise, demonstrating both consistency and exceptional talent.

The Montreal Canadiens' list includes Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov. Price’s numerous awards mark him as a historic goaltender in this storied franchise, while Koivu, Subban, and Markov contributed vast records and honors throughout their careers.

The Nashville Predators spotlight Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi stands as a franchise leader among defensemen, Rinne reshaped goaltending statistics, and Forsberg continues to be a major scoring talent.

In New Jersey, legends include Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš. Brodeur’s goaltending records are unparalleled, while Stevens and Niedermayer raised the team’s defensive standards. Eliáš's scoring talents left a significant mark in the fabric of the franchise.

The New York Islanders claim John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal as their notable contributors. Their impact over the years demonstrates continued excellence on the ice, underscoring their legacy.

For the New York Rangers, the key players include Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. Lundqvist remains a fan favorite as the franchise’s leading goaltender, while Panarin’s scoring has elevated him within franchise records.

The Ottawa Senators’ top choices are Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden. Alfredsson’s noteworthy contributions, alongside Karlsson's defensive talents, play a pivotal role in the organization’s history.

In Philadelphia, the contributions of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné highlight an impressive era for the franchise.

The Pittsburgh Penguins honor Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Each player's remarkable achievements have shaped the franchise during an era of success and multiple championships.

For the San Jose Sharks, influential figures include Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov, whose contributions continue to resonate with fans in Silicon Valley.

The Seattle Kraken highlights Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson as essential components of the franchise’s young history.

The St. Louis Blues feature Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Each player made significant contributions to the franchise, most notably during the 2019 Stanley Cup victory.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's representation includes Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman. Their combined success has established the team as a perennial contender, winning back-to-back championships in recent years.

The Toronto Maple Leafs highlight Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly, marking a successful legacy within the organization.

In the history of the Arizona Coyotes, now the Utah Mammoth, impactful players include Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov. Each player contributed to the notable moments of the franchise's timeline as it evolved.

Lastly, the Vancouver Canucks highlight the exceptional careers of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes, all of whom have left lasting legacies in their franchise's pursuit of a championship.

The final entry for the Golden Knights features Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel. Each player formed part of a resilient effort that brought prominence, including a trip to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.