In the landscape of the National Hockey League (NHL), each team has its share of players whose achievements stand out among their peers. Whether they are prolific scorers, skillful defensemen, or formidable goaltenders, some players rise above the rest, earning a place on their team's 'Mount Rushmore'—a representation of the top four players in franchise history. For teams with extensive legacies, selecting just four individuals is a challenge, while for those newer teams, the task may be relatively straightforward. This analysis focuses on the past 25 years of NHL history, commencing from the 2000-01 season to highlight players who resonate with contemporary fans through their overall performance, playoff success, and potential fan-favorite status during this timeframe. It is noteworthy that some athletes may appear on the Mount Rushmore of multiple teams due to their stints with more than one organization. Additionally, players from relocated franchises, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Mammoth), are included in this overview.

Beginning with the Anaheim Ducks, noteworthy players include Ryan Getzlaf, who served as the longest-tenured captain in Ducks history for 12 seasons, achieving franchise-leading marks with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 points. His teammate Corey Perry captured both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy during the 2010-11 season, placing him second in franchise history with 372 goals and third with 404 assists. Teemu Selänne, a Hall of Fame inductee, spent 15 of his 21 seasons with the Ducks, leading the franchise in goals (457) while also ranking second in assists (531) and points (988). Jean-Sébastien Giguère, the fourth member of this group, is remembered for his goaltending prowess, standing as the franchise leader in both wins (206) and shutouts (32). Collectively, these four were instrumental in securing the Stanley Cup for the Ducks in 2007.

Turning attention to the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron stands out as a six-time recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, ranking third in franchise history in games played (1,294), with 427 goals and 1,040 points. Zdeno Chára, a Hall of Famer and previous captain for 14 seasons, won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the 2008-09 season, playing a critical role during Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup win. David Pastrňák, who achieved a historic milestone as the second Bruin to score at least 60 goals in a season while winning the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2019-20, ranks fourth among NHL scorers with 391 points since his debut in 2014-15. Finally, Brad Marchand, a fellow Stanley Cup champion from the 2011 season, ranks fourth among all Bruins for games played (1,090) and cumulative goals (422).

For the Buffalo Sabres, Ryan Miller distinguished himself as a goaltender by winning the Vezina Trophy in 2009-10 and leading the franchise with 540 games played and 284 wins. Team staple Jason Pominville spent 11 of his 15 seasons with Buffalo, placing eighth all-time with 733 games and tallying 521 points. Rasmus Dahlin, who has shown exceptional promise, ranks second in points among Sabres defensemen with 360, along with ninth in assists (277). Thomas Vanek played nine of his 14 seasons in Buffalo, where he amassed 254 goals, leading Sabres scorers since 2000-01 and narrowly falling short of 500 points (497).

In Calgary, Jarome Iginla remains revered as a Hall of Famer, leading the Flames in games played (1,219), goals (525), and points (1,095). Iginla's prowess was recognized with the Maurice Richard Trophy on two occasions and the Art Ross Trophy in 2001-02, placing him among the franchise's greats. Miikka Kiprusoff complemented Iginla's legacy by winning the Vezina Trophy in 2005-06 and holding numerous franchise goaltending records, including wins (305) and shutouts (41). Another significant contributor, Mark Giordano, earned the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2018-19 and ranks third all-time in games played (949), sixth in assists (366), and tenth in points (509). Johnny Gaudreau, who spent nine seasons with the Flames and won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2016-17, currently checks in fifth all-time with 399 assists and 609 points.

The Carolina Hurricanes are well represented by Rod Brind'Amour, a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner and captain during their 2005-06 Stanley Cup triumph. He ranks fourth in assists (299) and fifth in points (473) in franchise history. Eric Staal also played a pivotal role during the Cup run and is second in franchise goals (322), assists (453), and points (775). Jaccob Slavin, who has made an exceptional impact in their defensive lineup, is fifth in skater games played (745) and is a two-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. Sebastian Aho is another talented forward, ranking third all-time in the franchise with 283 goals and 348 assists, contributing to 631 points.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, the core of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook formed a championship-winning foundation. Kane's accolades include winning the Calder Memorial Trophy (2007-08), Conn Smythe Trophy (2012-13), and multiple Hart and Art Ross trophies, underscoring his exceptional playmaking ability. Toews' contributions were equally notable, as he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009-10 and the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2012-13. Duncan Keith solidified his Hall of Fame status by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015 and twice being named the James Norris Memorial Trophy winner. Seabrook rounds out this quartet, ranking fourth among franchise leaders in games played (1,114) and fifth among Chicago defensemen in career goals (103). Collectively, these four were integral in securing the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victories in 2009-10, 2012-13, and 2014-15.

In Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon has quickly become a leading figure, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013-14 and winning both the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2023-24. Cale Makar, another rising star, captured the Calder and Conn Smythe trophies and is a two-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner. The all-time offensive leader for the Avalanche, Joe Sakic, enjoyed a storied career, winning numerous awards including the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2000-01 alongside Peter Forsberg, who sits fourth all-time with 538 assists. Both Sakic and Forsberg are honored in the Hockey Hall of Fame, having led Colorado to Stanley Cup championships in 1996 and 2001. MacKinnon and Makar celebrated a Cup victory in 2022.

The Columbus Blue Jackets see Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, as their leading goaltender with franchise records of 374 games, 213 wins, and 33 shutouts. Rick Nash, a significant player during his time, won the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2003-04 and holds records for 289 goals and 547 points. Zach Werenski stands out as a defensive leader for the Blue Jackets, earning a runner-up position for the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2024-25 while holding the franchise assist record with 271. Boone Jenner has also made his mark, leading the franchise with 741 games played and ranking third in goals (199) and fourth in points (383).

The Dallas Stars have Mike Modano as a key figure, a Hall of Famer who commandeered the franchise with records for games played (1,459), goals (557), and total points (1,359), being an active player from 2000-01 to 2009-10. Jamie Benn, who became the only Stars player to win the Art Ross Trophy in the 2014-15 season, ranks second in games played (1,192) and goals (399). Another franchise great, Sergei Zubov, also found success as a Hall of Famer, while Marty Turco left his mark with the franchise-leading goalie statistics, including 509 games played. Together, these players helped shape the Stars' identity during this era.

The Detroit Red Wings boast prominent names such as Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg, all of whom have significantly impacted the franchise. Lidström won the James Norris Memorial Trophy seven times between the 2000-01 and 2010-11 seasons, while Yzerman remains a franchise legend, writing the record book with his assist totals (1,063) and leading the team to three Stanley Cup titles, including in 2002. Datsyuk, who also secured a spot in the Hall of Fame, was recognized with numerous accolades, including four Lady Byng Memorial Trophies and three Selke Trophies. Zetterberg played a critical role in the Wings' success, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008 as well. All four players rank among the franchise's best in various statistical categories, cementing their legacies.

The Edmonton Oilers' representation in this historic reflection centers on Connor McDavid, who since the 2016-17 season has captured multiple awards, including five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, and three Hart Memorial Trophies. His remarkable skill set has established him as one of the league's premier talents. Leon Draisaitl has also enjoyed immense success, winning the Art Ross, Hart, and Lindsay trophies, along with the Richard Trophy in 2024-25. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, noted for his consistency, ranks third in games played (959) and is seventh in assists (477). Ryan Smyth, a longtime Oiler, is lauded for his contributions over 15 seasons with the franchise, placing second all-time with 296 goals and ninth with 631 points.

For the Florida Panthers, Aleksander Barkov has emerged as a formidable leader, showcasing exceptional play with 804 games played, 286 goals, and 496 assists. He has won the Frank J. Selke Trophy three times since the 2020-21 season, adding depth to his accomplishments. Aaron Ekblad, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014-15, ranks second among the franchise leaders in games played (732) as both players contributed to the Panthers’ recent Stanley Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2025. Jonathan Huberdeau, a prolific scorer, ranks second in franchise history, while Roberto Luongo served as the goaltending legend with the most games played (572), wins (230), and shutouts (38).

The Los Angeles Kings present a formidable lineup including Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick, all of whom have left a profound impact on the franchise. Kopitar, with 1,454 games played and 838 assists, is a three-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and two-time Selke Trophy victor. Doughty’s leadership is notable with his James Norris Memorial Trophy win, while Quick ranks as the franchise's all-time leader in games played (743) and wins (370). Dustin Brown, serving as captain from 2008-09 to 2015-16, is essential in discussing the Kings' contribution to the franchise narrative, ranking second in total games played (1,296). Together, this quartet represents a successful era for the franchise, contributing to their Stanley Cup wins.

The Minnesota Wild have seen the likes of Mikko Koivu define their franchise narrative, leading with 1,028 games played and 504 assists as their longest-serving captain. Marián Gáborík has the distinction of being the franchise's first major star, currently holding the record for goals (219) and sitting second in points (437). Kirill Kaprizov, acknowledged for his extraordinary talent, received the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2020-21 and holds the single-season records with 47 goals and 108 points. Jared Spurgeon, the current captain, ranks second in games played (933) and third in assists and points, further solidifying the Wild's identity.

In Montreal, Carey Price stands as an unequivocal leader in franchise history, holding records for games played (712), wins (361), and a historic season where he clinched the Hart, Vezina, Jennings, and Lindsay trophies in 2014-15. Saku Koivu is also celebrated for his time with the Canadiens, finishing seventh in assists and tenth in points during his 13-year career. P.K. Subban, another celebrated defenseman, won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2012-13, while Andrei Markov, who spent his entire 16-season career in Montreal, ranks sixth in games played and assists, reflecting continuity in defense.

The Nashville Predators are highlighted by Roman Josi, who leads the franchise in games played (962), assists (534), and points (724), while also being the current captain since 2017-18. Pekka Rinne, recognized as a Vezina Trophy winner, is the franchise goaltending leader in games played (683), wins (369), and shutouts (60). Filip Forsberg contributed consistently, ranking as the Predators' single-season and all-time goals leader. Shea Weber, a Hall of Famer, is widely recognized as a cornerstone of the franchise.

The New Jersey Devils saw great contributions from Martin Brodeur, who holds the NHL record for wins (691), games played (1,266), and shutouts (125). He won the Vezina Trophy four times during his tenure. Scott Stevens served as the franchise's longest-serving captain, contributing significantly to its legacy while among the leaders in games played. Scott Niedermayer, another decorated defenseman, ranks second in assists and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy, while Patrik Eliáš holds the franchise records for goals, assists, and total points. Together, Brodeur, Stevens, and Niedermayer were key players in multiple Stanley Cup victories, alongside Eliáš's accomplishments.

The New York Islanders feature John Tavares, who ranks highly in game and points categories while serving as a crucial part of the team's success. Brock Nelson, captain since 2018-19, also holds significant ranks among the top players, while Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal complete this core, representing a blend of scoring prowess and playmaking skill.

For the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist, affectionately known as “King Henrik,” left an indelible mark with franchise records for games played (887), wins (459), and notoriety from his Vezina Trophy win in 2011-12. Artemi Panarin has been a scoring leader since 2019-20, while Chris Kreider has established himself within the highest ranks of the franchise. Adam Fox also stands out, with an impressive resume that includes the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The Ottawa Senators reflect on the contributions of Daniel Alfredsson, the franchise's leader in goals, assists, and points over his extensive career with the team. Erik Karlsson, another franchise success story, is a two-time Norris Trophy winner who ranks third in assists. Jason Spezza finds himself among the franchise’s top scorers, while Wade Redden's impact saw him become a long-standing contributor to the blue line.

Claude Giroux's versatility and legacy as the Flyers' longest-serving captain are significant in discussing Philadelphia's history, as he ranks highly in games played, assists, and points. Sean Couturier has ranked fourth in games played while securing the Frank J. Selke Trophy, while Jakub Voráček and Simon Gagné have also built banners of achievement through their respective offensive performances for the franchise.

In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby holds the record for games played and assists, alongside numerous prestigious awards. He is complemented by Evgeni Malkin, another Hall of Famer who boasts multiple accolades, including the Hart and Calder trophies. Marc-André Fleury leads the goaltending statistics for Pittsburgh, with Kris Letang also contributing to the legacy as one of the best defensemen in franchise history.

The San Jose Sharks pay homage to Patrick Marleau, having played the majority of his games in a Sharks uniform. He leads the franchise scoring charts while Joe Thornton’s career with the team that included significant records, awards, and milestones must also be recognized. Brent Burns and Evgeni Nabokov rounded out pivotal moments in the franchise's story, helping to shape the team's competitive identity over the years.

In expansion franchise Seattle Kraken, Jared McCann's 40 goals stand as a franchise single-season record. Vince Dunn leads the team in assists, while Jordan Eberle and Adam Larsson contribute significant depth within the organization, embodying the foundation for future success as the franchise continues to grow in the league.

The St. Louis Blues celebrate Alex Pietrangelo, a memorable captain who helped deliver the first Stanley Cup to the franchise. Ryan O'Reilly made significant contributions to this success, earning various accolades while Chris Pronger’s longstanding impact as a double trophy winner marks a highlight for the franchise. Lastly, Vladimir Tarasenko's contributions make him a notable element of the Blues' rich history.

Steven Stamkos represents the Lightning as their longest-serving captain and all-time leading goal scorer. Nikita Kucherov stands out not only for his assist totals but also for numerous awards, while Martin St. Louis has left a lasting legacy filled with accolades. Victor Hedman complements this impressive core with his substantial contributions in games played and the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The Maple Leafs motion toward their legacy with Auston Matthews shining brightly, marking a record for single-season goals. Mats Sundin remains a Hall of Fame icon within their history, alongside Mitch Marner's assists and Morgan Rielly entrenched within the franchise’s best defensive contributions.

The Utah Mammoth, formerly known as the Phoenix Coyotes, highlight Shane Doan’s impressive career spanning 21 seasons. Alongside Clayton Keller's emergence, Oliver Ekman-Larsson's substantial contributions to the defense, and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov's tenure as a franchise leader, this collection of players showcases an ongoing legacy now scribed in a new chapter of historic significance.

Lastly, the Vancouver Canucks honor the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, as the first twins enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Their remarkable records and accolades stand alongside Markus Näslund and Quinn Hughes, with contributions across the franchise’s storied timeline.

The Vegas Golden Knights' notable figures include Marc-André Fleury as the primary goaltender during their first few seasons, Jonathan Marchessault contributing significantly to their offensive capabilities, Shea Theodore on the blue line, and Jack Eichel playing a pivotal role since joining the team.