Each NHL team is marked by the unique contributions of its players, with some achievements standing out prominently. Whether they are high-scoring forwards, skilled defensemen, or exceptional goaltenders, certain players are recognized as the very best in their respective franchises. These individuals could easily be depicted on their teams' Mount Rushmore, representing the top-four players of all time. For teams with long histories, narrowing down the list to four players can be particularly challenging. Conversely, franchises with shorter histories may find the task more manageable. This analysis focuses on players from the past 25 years, commencing with the 2000-01 NHL season, ensuring that the chosen players resonate more strongly with today’s fans due to their performance, postseason success, and overall value to their clubs. Some players may appear on multiple teams' Mount Rushmore due to careers spanning various franchises, including those associated with relocated teams such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Mammoth).

For the Anaheim Ducks, the selections include Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, the longest-serving captain in Ducks history with a tenure of 12 seasons, is the franchise leader in several key statistics: 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and a total of 1,019 points. Perry garnered recognition with both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy in the 2010-11 season, ranking second in franchise history with 372 goals, third in assists with 404, and accumulating 776 points. Selänne, a Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, leading the franchise with 457 goals and ranking second all-time with 531 assists. Giguère holds the record for 206 wins and 32 shutouts in franchise history, with a notable performance that earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2023. All four players were integral to the Ducks' Stanley Cup victory in 2007.

For the Boston Bruins, their Mount Rushmore includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, ranks third among Bruins with 1,294 games played, 427 goals, and 1,040 points. Chára, a Hall of Famer, served as captain for 14 seasons and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the 2008-09 season. The two were instrumental in securing the Bruins' Stanley Cup win in 2011. Pastrňák became only the second Bruin to score at least 60 goals in a season and won the Maurice Richard Trophy in the 2019-20 season, sitting fourth among NHL scorers with 391 points since his debut in 2014-15. Marchand, also part of the 2011 Cup-winning roster, ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,090 games played and 422 goals.

The Buffalo Sabres' selections encompass Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. Miller, a Vezina Trophy winner in the 2009-10 season, holds franchise records for 540 games played and 284 wins. Pominville, who dedicated 11 of his 15 NHL seasons to the Sabres, ranks eighth among franchise leaders in games played with 733, assists with 304, and points with 521. Dahlin established himself as the second-leading defenseman in Sabres history with 360 points and ninth in assists with 277. Vanek significantly contributed with 254 goals, making him the team's highest scorer since the 2000-01 season and second overall with 497 points.

For the Calgary Flames, the Mount Rushmore features Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. A Hall of Famer, Iginla is recognized as the franchise leader with 1,219 games played, 525 goals, and 1,095 points. Kiprusoff earned the Vezina Trophy in the 2005-06 season and holds multiple franchise goaltending records, including wins with 305. Giordano, a James Norris Memorial Trophy winner in the 2018-19 season, ranks third all-time in games played and sixth in assists. Gaudreau contributed significantly during his nine seasons, winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in the 2016-17 season.

The Carolina Hurricanes' selections consist of Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho. Brind'Amour, a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, ranks fourth in assists and fifth in points in franchise history, leading the team to the Stanley Cup in 2005-06. Staal, also part of that Cup-winning roster, sits second in franchise scoring history with 322 goals. Slavin earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in the 2020-21 season and ranks fifth among skaters with 745 games played. Aho currently ranks third all-time on the team with 283 goals and 348 assists.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, the distinguished members include Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane's accolades comprise the Calder Memorial Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and multiple Art Ross, Hart, and Ted Lindsay awards. Toews matched Kane's acclaim with a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Frank J. Selke Trophy. Keith, a Hall of Fame player, won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015 and is a two-time Norris Trophy winner. Seabrook capped his career as a key player during multiple Stanley Cup championships for the Blackhawks.

The Colorado Avalanche’s Mount Rushmore features Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. MacKinnon, a Calder Memorial Trophy recipient and a two-time Lady Byng winner, is recognized for his outstanding gameplay. Makar, a Calder Trophy winner and Conn Smythe Trophy recipient, stands as a two-time Norris Trophy winner. Sakic, the all-time leader in Avalanche history, has also claimed the Hart Memorial Trophy and is noted for his Cup victories in the 1996 and 2001 seasons. Forsberg also holds a towering reputation, having won both the Hart and Art Ross trophies.

The Columbus Blue Jackets include Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, holds several franchise goaltending records. Nash, a Maurice Richard Trophy winner, is the franchise leader in goals and points. Werenski is the franchise assist leader and a notable contender for the Norris Trophy. Jenner has made significant contributions throughout his tenure in Columbus.

The Dallas Stars’ honored members are Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano, a Hall of Famer and the franchise leader in numerous categories, paved the way for future Stars players. Benn was the first Star to win the Art Ross Trophy. Zubov also made history as a Hall of Famer with contributions to the team, and Turco leads all Stars goaltenders in games played.

A notable group in the Detroit Red Wings' history includes Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström won seven Norris Trophies in a notably dominant defensive career. Yzerman, a Hall of Famer known for his leadership, captained the team to three Stanley Cup victories. Datsyuk and Zetterberg further cemented the Red Wings' success with multiple accolades, including the Conn Smythe Trophy for Zetterberg in 2008.

The Edmonton Oilers' selections are headlined by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid leads with multiple accolades, including several Hart Trophies, while Draisaitl has also won significant awards like the Hart and Richard trophies. Nugent-Hopkins holds notable franchise records, while Smyth remains a key player in Oilers history.

For the Florida Panthers, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo feature prominently. Barkov has established himself as an all-time franchise leader, with significant Selke Trophy wins. Ekblad showcased his talent with a Calder Trophy win, while Huberdeau and Luongo contributed greatly to the Panthers’ stature.

The Los Angeles Kings’ selections include Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar's long-serving captaincy is paired with impressive statistics, securing renowned trophies in particular seasons. Doughty, a formidable defenseman, has made notable contributions through his career. Quick is a key goaltender, while Brown's leadership helped the Kings win championships.

The Minnesota Wild's recognized players are Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon. Koivu is the franchise leader, establishing records during his long tenure. Gáborík shone as the team's first major star, while Kaprizov, with his impact, won the Calder Trophy. Spurgeon continues to showcase his value on the ice.

For the Montreal Canadiens, Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov are celebrated. Price is recognized for his historical achievements as a goaltender, while Koivu's legacy is secured throughout his time. Subban and Markov also played significant roles in the franchise's successes.

The Nashville Predators' selections highlight Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi leads franchise records in games and assists, while Rinne is a goaltending stalwart. Forsberg holds significant goal-scoring records of all time, and Weber made impactful contributions during his time.

The New Jersey Devils' distinguished players include Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš. Brodeur's record-setting career stands out among the best in NHL history. Stevens and Niedermayer played vital roles in winning championships, while Eliáš holds significant records in goals and assists.

The New York Islanders recognize John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal. Tavares is one of the leading scorers in franchise history, while Nelson and Lee have also made impressive contributions. Barzal, as a former Calder Trophy winner, adds to the franchise's legacy.

For the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox are honored. Lundqvist is a notable goaltending leader, while Panarin has consistently excelled offensively. Kreider has proven himself as a valuable asset, while Fox's defensive prowess garnered him noteworthy awards.

In Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden mark significant contributions. Alfredsson's impressive records highlight his career, while Karlsson won multiple Norris Trophies. Spezza made his mark in scoring, while Redden's key minutes on the ice were invaluable.

Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné comprise the Philadelphia Flyers' selections. Giroux's longstanding presence marked him as a franchise leader, while Couturier's Selke Trophy win is noteworthy. Voráček and Gagné contributed crucially to the team's identity.

The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Crosby remains the franchise leader in games and assists, while Malkin has made considerable impact during his tenure. Fleury is the all-time goaltending leader, and Letang's contributions have been remarkable throughout.

For the San Jose Sharks, the distinguished quartet includes Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov. Marleau played a tremendous number of games, leading all franchise scorers with his accolades. Thornton's leadership was critical, while Burns and Nabokov also left their marks.

The Seattle Kraken acknowledge Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson as pivotal figures in their history. McCann and Dunn broke franchise records shortly after their inception, with Eberle and Larsson providing consistent performances through their developmental seasons.

The St. Louis Blues celebrate Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko as pivotal players. Pietrangelo captained the squad to its first championship, while O'Reilly's contributions were integral in that run. Pronger remains a significant historical player, alongside Tarasenko's scoring abilities.

Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman represent the Tampa Bay Lightning. Stamkos's leadership record stands, with Kucherov asserting dominance in scoring over the years. St. Louis's legacy and Hedman's defensive excellence round out a formidable lineup.

Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs hail Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly. Matthews has secured records in goals and trophies early in his career, while Sundin is a Hall of Famer with enduring franchise success. Marner and Rielly continue to add depth to the team.

The Arizona Mammoth’s history includes Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov. Doan’s legacy as a long-serving captain stands tall, while Keller and Ekman-Larsson make crucial impacts. Bryzgalov was a key figure during his tenure.

The Vancouver Canucks' selections highlight Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes. The Sedins achieved notable recognition in the league, while Näslund and Hughes have emerged more prominently in earlier seasons.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights include Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel, marking their presence in NHL history as they independently crafted the early foundation of the franchise.