NHL Teams Mount Rushmore: The Best Players of the Last 25 Years

Each NHL team boasts a selection of players whose accomplishments have significantly distinguished them from their teammates. These players may include talented scorers, skilled defensemen, or exceptional goaltenders. Within this group, a select few can be regarded as the very best, earning a place on their team's Mount Rushmore—a symbolic representation of the top four players in the team's history. For franchises with lengthy histories, narrowing the field to four players is challenging, while for those with shorter histories, the selection becomes somewhat easier. This analysis aims to focus on players from the last 25 years of NHL history, beginning with the 2000-01 season. The players chosen are likely to be more familiar to contemporary fans, given their overall performance, postseason success, and their notable value to their respective clubs during this period. Some athletes may appear on the Mount Rushmore of multiple teams, due to their impactful careers across different franchises. Additionally, players affiliated with relocated teams, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (currently the Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth), have also been considered.
The Anaheim Ducks’ Mount Rushmore features Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, a center, holds the record for the longest tenure as the Ducks' captain, serving for 12 seasons. He also leads the franchise with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 points. Perry, a right wing, won 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 for assists with 404, accumulating a total of 776 points. Selänne, a Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, where he stands as the franchise leader in goals with 457 and ranks second with 531 assists, totaling 988 points. Giguère, the team’s first Stanley Cup-winning goaltender, still holds the franchise records for wins (206) and shutouts (32). All four players played critical roles in leading the Ducks to their Stanley Cup victory in 2007.
The Boston Bruins' Mount Rushmore includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, ranks third in team history with 1,294 games played, 427 goals, and 1,040 points. Chára, a Hall of Famer and symbol of the team’s physicality, won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the 2008-09 season and captained the Bruins for 14 seasons, contributing to Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup win. Pastrňák is notable for becoming only the second Bruin to score at least 60 goals in a season and won the Maurice Richard Trophy for his achievements during the 2019-20 season. Marchand, who is also a Stanley Cup champion with the Bruins, ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,090 games and 422 goals.
Representing the Buffalo Sabres, the Mount Rushmore is comprised of Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. As a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Miller is the franchise leader in games played (540) and wins (284) as a goaltender. Pominville spent 11 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Sabres and ranks eighth in franchise history with 733 games played and 521 points. Dahlin stands out as the second highest-scoring defenseman in Sabres history with 360 points and is ninth overall with 277 assists. Vanek ranks first in goals since the 2000-01 season with 254 and second in total points with 497.
The Calgary Flames' Mount Rushmore includes Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. Iginla, a Hall of Famer, leads the franchise in games played (1,219), goals (525), and total points (1,095). He won the Maurice Richard Trophy twice and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy in the 2001-02 season. Kiprusoff, a Vezina Trophy winner, holds the franchise record for wins (305) and shutouts (41). Giordano, a recent James Norris Memorial Trophy recipient, ranks third in games played (949) and sixth in assists (366). Gaudreau, notable for his scoring prowess, has also left an impact, holding the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, and he is fifth all-time in assists for the Flames.
For the Carolina Hurricanes, Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho lead the Mount Rushmore. Brind'Amour, a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, ranks fourth in franchise history with 299 assists and captained the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 2005-06. Staal, an integral part of that team, ranks second in franchise goals (322) and total points (775). Slavin sits fifth among skaters with 745 games played and recently earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. Aho is third on the franchise's all-time list with 283 goals.
The Chicago Blackhawks' Mount Rushmore features Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane, a dynamic right wing, has garnered the Calder Memorial Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trophy, alongside multiple Art Ross accolades. Toews has made his mark as a Stanley Cup champion and winner of the Selke Trophy. Keith, a Hall of Famer and two-time James Norris Memorial Trophy recipient, was pivotal in multiple Blackhawks’ championships. Seabrook ranks fourth among franchise leaders in games played with 1,114 and is notable for his defensive contributions.
The Colorado Avalanche's Mount Rushmore includes Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. MacKinnon has been a standout since his Calder Trophy win, and recently won the Hart Trophy, among other accolades. Makar, a Norris Trophy winner, has quickly established himself among the top defensemen since entering the league. Sakic, the all-time offensive leader for the franchise and a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, won the Hart Memorial Trophy and led the team to multiple Stanley Cups alongside Forsberg, who also earned the Hart and Art Ross Trophies during his career.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner make the Mount Rushmore. Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina winner, is the franchise’s goaltending leader. Nash, also a Maurice Richard winner, is the franchise leader in goals and points. Werenski has quickly established himself as a premier defenseman and Jenner remains a consistent contributor in multiple statistical categories.
The Dallas Stars' honored players include Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano's distinguished career culminates in records for games played, goals, and total points within the franchise. Benn, the sole recipient of the Art Ross from the franchise, ranks highly in several statistical categories. Zubov’s contributions and accolades cement his place in the Hall of Fame, while Turco remains a significant name among goalie records for the Stars.
The Detroit Red Wings’ Mount Rushmore comprises Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström, with seven Norris Memorial Trophies, is regarded as one of the best defensemen in history. Yzerman, a staunch leader, captained the Wings to three Stanley Cups and is the franchise's assist leader. Datsyuk, a remarkable two-way player with multiple awards, left a significant mark along with Zetterberg, a Conn Smythe winner and key contributor to the franchise’s success.
The Edmonton Oilers' honored players are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid has dominated the scoring charts since entering the league and has won multiple awards for his contributions. Draisaitl complemented him with exceptional scoring feats, while Nugent-Hopkins stands solidly as part of the franchise's core throughout his tenure. Smyth's legacy as a longtime leader and contributor endures among the franchise's all-time greats.
The Florida Panthers’ Mount Rushmore is represented by Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov leads in multiple franchise statistics, while Ekblad has made a significant impact since winning the Calder Trophy. Huberdeau ranks prominently in franchise scoring, and Luongo holds the goaltending records, contributing to the team's history of success.
The Los Angeles Kings feature Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown on their Mount Rushmore. Kopitar leads with significant points and assists, while Doughty has won the Norris Trophy and made contributions in key games. Quick's goaltending has been crucial during the Kings' successes, paralleling Brown's leadership during his tenure.
The Minnesota Wild’s honored players are Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon. Koivu was the longest-serving captain and has numerous franchise records, while Gáborík was the first significant star in Wild history. Kaprizov’s recent achievements set club records, while Spurgeon continues to solidify his place among franchise greats.
The Montreal Canadiens' Mount Rushmore is highlighted by Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov. Price remains the franchise record holder in multiple goaltending categories and garnered numerous awards. Koivu spent a substantial part of his career with the Canadiens, while Subban's talents earned him critical acclaim. Markov is recognized for his consistent contributions during his time with the team.
In Nashville, the Mount Rushmore consists of Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi's leadership and achievements as a Norris Trophy winner stand out, while Rinne holds extensive records as the team's goaltender. Forsberg continues to be celebrated for his offensive accomplishments, with Weber’s leadership and impact during his time with the franchise making him an essential selection.
For the New Jersey Devils, Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš grace the Mount Rushmore. Brodeur's unmatched records as a goaltender are legendary, while Stevens is recognized as a longstanding captain. Niedermayer earned accolades during his career, and Eliáš has achieved outstanding points totals and assists within the franchise.
The New York Islanders' honored players include John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal. Tavares remains one of the highest-scoring players in franchise history, while Nelson, the team captain, and Lee contributed significantly to the team's recent history. Barzal won the Calder Trophy and has made his mark on assists throughout his career.
For the New York Rangers, the Mount Rushmore is highlighted by Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. Lundqvist is remembered for his Vezina Trophy win and leadership in goal, while Panarin has shined as the team’s leading scorer. Kreider has made a name for himself with goal contributions, while Fox has quickly become a top defenseman.
The Ottawa Senators' Mount Rushmore comprises Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden. Alfredsson's contributions in goals and points help solidify his Hall of Fame status. Karlsson earned multiple Norris Trophies, while Spezza contributes significantly to team scoring. Redden rounds out the roster with notable numbers in assists and games played.
For the Philadelphia Flyers, the Mount Rushmore includes Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné. Giroux's leadership and scoring capacity keep him in high regard within the franchise. Couturier won the Selke Trophy, and Voráček has numerous assists under his belt. Gagné continues to be remembered for his contributions to the Flyers.
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ honored players are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Crosby remains the franchise leader in assists and is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history. Malkin complements him with numerous awards, while Fleury's tenure in goal has solidified him as an all-time great. Letang’s performance as a defenseman has made him a key figure in Penguins’ history.
In San Jose, the Mount Rushmore consists of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov. Marleau’s record for games played and points highlights his legacy, while Thornton’s accolades as a playmaker showcase his talent. Burns has been a dominant force as a defenseman, while Nabokov's contributions in goal remain significant.
The Seattle Kraken's Mount Rushmore features Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson. McCann holds the single-season record for goals, while Dunn leads in assists. Eberle is a key offensive contributor and Larsson's durability has set him as a leading presence throughout the early seasons.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues' honored players are Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Pietrangelo captained the team to their first Stanley Cup, while O'Reilly’s impact includes the Conn Smythe Trophy. Pronger is recognized as a dominant defenseman, and Tarasenko remains among the franchise's all-time leading scorers.
The Washington Capitals feature Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Bäckström, Olaf Kolzig, and John Carlson. Ovechkin is the all-time goal-scoring leader in the NHL, while Bäckström’s assist record stands strong within the franchise. Kolzig is remembered for his significant contributions in goal, and Carlson’s achievements as a standout defenseman bolster this Mount Rushmore.
Finally, the Winnipeg Jets hold Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Blake Wheeler. Hellebuyck’s accolades as a goaltender are noted, while Scheifele is a scoring leader. Kovalchuk made a name during the Jets' earlier era, and Wheeler remains among the franchise leaders in multiple offensive categories.








