NHL Team Mount Rushmores: Top Players of the Last 25 Years

Each NHL team boasts a selection of players whose achievements have notably stood out amongst their peers. These individuals may include prolific scorers, skilled defensemen, and exceptional goaltenders. From this group, a select few can be deemed the best, with their legacies solidified on their respective franchise's Mount Rushmore, representing the top-four players in the team's history. For franchises with extensive histories, narrowing the list to four candidates can be quite challenging, while teams with shorter histories offer a more straightforward selection process. This analysis focuses on players from the last 25 years, starting with the 2000-01 NHL season, allowing for greater familiarity among current fans based on overall performance, postseason achievements, contributions to their teams, and enduring popularity during this time frame.
Starting with the Anaheim Ducks, notable figures from the past 25 years include Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf remains the longest-serving captain in Ducks history, leading the franchise with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 points. He played a pivotal role in the team's success, including their 2007 Stanley Cup victory. Perry, an impressive right winger, captured both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy during the 2010-11 season. He ranks second in franchise history with 372 goals and third in points with 776. Selänne, a celebrated Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, where he became the franchise leader with 457 goals. Giguère contributed significantly as well, leading the franchise with 206 wins and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2003, playing a crucial role in the team's Stanley Cup run.
In considering the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chára stand out, both heavily influencing the franchise's success. Bergeron, a six-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, is third among the Bruins in games played, goals, and points. Chára, another Hall of Famer, captained the team for 14 seasons, accumulating the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2009-10, and played a vital part in the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup championship. David Pastrňák, who notably scored at least 60 goals in a season, has quickly established himself among the franchise's best scorers. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand shares the honor of the 2011 Stanley Cup win and ranks among the top four all-time in games and goals for the Bruins.








