Each NHL team has a distinct group of players whose accomplishments have significantly distinguished them among their teammates. Among forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders, a select few are particularly noteworthy, earning places on their team's 'Mount Rushmore,' representing the top four players in franchise history. For teams with prolonged histories, identifying only four players can become challenging, while franchises with shorter histories may find it easier to compile their lists. This discussion narrows the focus to the last 25 years of NHL history, commencing with the 2000-01 season, highlighting players whose performances, postseason achievements, and impact on their clubs resonate with contemporary fans. Some players may be included in multiple teams’ lists due to their career spanning several franchises, and this analysis also considers relocated teams such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth).

For the Anaheim Ducks, the quartet features Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf holds franchise records with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 points, serving as the longest-tenured captain in Ducks history. Perry earned the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy in the 2010-11 season, ranking second in franchise history with 372 goals and third with 776 points. A Hall of Famer, Selänne boasts 457 goals and 988 points in 15 seasons with Anaheim, while Giguère leads the franchise with 206 wins and a Conn Smythe Trophy awarded as the playoff MVP in 2003. Collectively, they played instrumental roles in the Ducks' Stanley Cup championship in 2007.

The Boston Bruins' Mount Rushmore includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, ranks among the franchise's top three in games played, goals, and points. Chára, a Hall of Famer, served as captain for 14 seasons and earned a James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2009. Both were crucial to Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup triumph. Pastrňák, who scored 60 goals in a season and won the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2019-20, ranks fourth among NHL scorers since his debut. Marchand, another member of the 2011 Cup team, is notable for his scoring contributions and ranks fourth among Bruins in games played.

The Buffalo Sabres boast Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek on their Mount Rushmore. Miller, a Vezina Trophy winner in 2009-10, holds franchise goaltending records. Pominville's tenure with Buffalo saw him sit eighth on franchise scoring lists, while Dahlin ranks second in points among Sabres defensemen and Vanek leads in goals since 2000-01. Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau represent the Calgary Flames. Iginla, a Hall of Famer, leads in games played and goals, having captured multiple scoring accolades. Kiprusoff’s Vezina Trophy and franchise win records solidify his legacy, while Giordano and Gaudreau made significant contributions, including winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

For the Carolina Hurricanes, Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho make the cut. Brind'Amour’s all-around game earned him two Frank J. Selke Trophies, while Staal was a key figure in the 2006 Stanley Cup championship. Slavin is recognized for his defensive skill set, earning two Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, and Aho ranks high on the franchise's all-time scoring list.

The Chicago Blackhawks' quartet consists of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane and Toews each secured numerous awards, including Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies, while Keith is renowned for his defensive prowess and playmaking skills. Their contributions were pivotal in securing three Stanley Cup championships during their tenures.

The Colorado Avalanche feature Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. MacKinnon has won multiple awards, including the Calder and Hart Trophies, and Makar, recognized for his exceptional skill, has also garnered the Calder Trophy. Sakic, a franchise leader in various categories, and Forsberg have both left indelible marks on the franchise, contributing to Cup victories.

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ Mount Rushmore includes Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, is the franchise leader in wins, while Nash's scoring prowess has earned him a permanent spot in franchise history. Werenski's skill as a defenseman and Jenner's contributions solidify their legacy.

In Dallas, the selections are Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano, a Hall of Famer, leads the franchise in games and points, while Benn won the Art Ross Trophy. Zubov’s defensive contributions coupled with Turco’s goaltending excellence make them franchise icons.

The Detroit Red Wings' Mount Rushmore features Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström, a Hall of Famer and multiple Norris Trophy winner, significantly influenced the franchise's success, while Yzerman captained the team to three Cups. Datsyuk’s skill earned him numerous awards, and Zetterberg was a Conn Smythe Trophy recipient.

The Edmonton Oilers are represented by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid has won several prestigious awards since 2016-17, while Draisaitl has also secured both the Art Ross and Hart Trophies. Nugent-Hopkins and Smyth's contributions over the years have cemented their places in Oilers history.

For the Florida Panthers, players include Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov is the franchise's leading scorer based on several categories, and Ekblad's accolades include the Calder Trophy. Huberdeau stands among the franchise leaders in goals and points, while Luongo’s goaltending prowess defines the team's legacy.

The Los Angeles Kings lineup features Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar leads the franchise in several key offensive statistics, while Doughty’s impact on the ice includes a Norris Trophy win. Quick's goaltending records underpin the team's successes, and Brown's leadership is notable.

In Minnesota, Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon are recognized as top figures. Koivu's contributions as a long-serving captain are noted, while Kaprizov's record-breaking season has solidified his status. Gáborík is recognized as the franchise's first star, and Spurgeon’s leadership continues.

The Montreal Canadiens feature Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov. Price, an all-time great, holds several franchise records, while Koivu made significant contributions during his tenure. Subban and Markov helped define successful eras in Canadiens history.

In Nashville, Alex Pietrangelo, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber make the list. Pietrangelo captained the team to its first Stanley Cup, while Rinne’s accolades highlight his goaltending superiority. Forsberg’s scoring and Weber’s standout defensive play define their legacies.

The New Jersey Devils Mount Rushmore includes Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš. Brodeur’s ranking as the all-time wins leader highlights his dominance as a goaltender, while Stevens and Niedermayer were vital during their successful runs. Eliáš is also a franchise points leader, and all contributed to multiple championship teams.

For the New York Islanders, John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal are recognized. Tavares is among the organization's highest scorers, while Lee’s leadership complements Nelson’s contributions. Barzal, a Calder Trophy winner, continues to impact the franchise.

The New York Rangers' selections are Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. Lundqvist's status as a franchise leader in goaltending is well recognized, while Panarin has consistently been a top scorer since joining. Kreider's offensive contributions and Fox’s Norris Trophy-winning defensive prowess solidify their places.

In Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden make the cut. Alfredsson stands as a franchise leader, while Karlsson’s multiple Norris Trophy wins highlight his skill. Spezza's scoring also places him prominently in franchise history, while Redden contributed significantly during his time.

The Philadelphia Flyers feature Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné. Giroux, notable for assists and points, served as captain for many years, and Couturier's defense merits recognition. Voráček's contributions as a scorer and Gagné’s emphasis on player longevity and scoring complete the roster.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' quartet includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Crosby and Malkin have each collected multiple prestigious awards while driving the team's success. Fleury leads the team in wins as a goaltender, and Letang’s defensive contributions mark him as a franchise standout.

In San Jose, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov are featured. Marleau’s extensive statistical achievements and longevity highlighted by his team-leading games played. Thornton’s leadership and awards draw attention, while Burns’ accolades and Nabokov’s goaltending prowess reflect their importance.

The Seattle Kraken's selections are Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson. McCann holds franchise records for scoring, and Dunn has set the assist record. Eberle also features among the leaders in goals and points, while Larsson’s strong presence in games played and experience has been vital.

The St. Louis Blues are represented by Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Pietrangelo’s role as captain during their Cup win stands out, while O’Reilly’s accolades speak to his two-way game. Pronger’s Hall of Fame career and Tarasenko’s goal-scoring highlight their many contributions.

The Tampa Bay Lightning feature Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman. Stamkos, the longest-serving captain, leads in goals and points, while Kucherov’s multiple awards reflect his performance. St. Louis, a Hall of Famer, and Hedman, with a Norris Trophy to his name, further underscore the franchise's success.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ notable players include Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly. Matthews, with his scoring records and accolades, is complemented by Sundin’s legacy as a franchise points leader. Marner and Rielly continue to contribute significantly, marking their importance as well.

For the Utah Mammoth, Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov are recognized. Doan’s tenure as a franchise leader, Keller’s emerging star power, Ekman-Larsson’s solid play, and Bryzgalov’s role as a goaltender define this team's history.

The Vancouver Canucks comprise Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes. The twin Sedins have forged their places in history, while Näslund’s accolades highlight his contributions. Hughes, the first defenseman in franchise history to win the Norris Trophy, rounds out this prestigious group.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights' selections include Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel. Fleury's leadership as a goaltender is complemented by Marchessault's prime contributions. Theodore and Eichel have significantly impacted the franchise, particularly during successful playoff runs.