NHL Teams Mount Rushmore: The Last 25 Years of Iconic Players

Each NHL franchise boasts an array of exceptional players whose achievements have distinguished them from their teammates. This includes prolific scorers, talented defensemen, and remarkable goaltenders, with a select few standing out as the best in franchise history. These elite players would be featured on their team's metaphorical Mount Rushmore, representing the top four players of all time. For franchises with lengthy histories, selecting just four players can be a challenging task; however, for those with shorter legacies, the decision becomes more straightforward. Moneyline has chosen to focus on the last 25 years of NHL history, starting from the 2000-01 season, enabling today's fans to connect with the players based on their overall performance, postseason accomplishments, value to their respective teams, and potential appeal as fan favorites during that timeframe. Notably, some players may appear on more than one team's Mount Rushmore due to their impactful careers across multiple franchises. This selection also considers athletes from relocated teams, including the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth).
Among the highlighted players for the Anaheim Ducks are Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf, the longest-serving captain in Ducks history, played 1,157 games for the franchise, accumulating 737 assists and 1,019 points. Perry, who was honored with the Hart Memorial Trophy and Maurice Richard Trophy during the 2010-11 season, ranks second in franchise history with 372 goals. Selänne, a Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks and remains the franchise all-time leader with 457 goals. Giguère excelled as a goaltender, leading the Ducks to their Stanley Cup victory in 2007 and holding franchise records for wins and shutouts.
The Boston Bruins are represented by Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand. Bergeron, a six-time recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, ranks third in franchise history with 1,294 games played. Chára, serving as captain for 14 seasons, was part of Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup championship team and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the 2008-09 season. Pastrňák, the only Bruins player besides the legendary Cam Neely to score at least 60 goals in a season, and Marchand, who won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, further cemented their places in the teams' illustrious history.
The Buffalo Sabres' Mount Rushmore features Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. Miller, the 2009-10 Vezina Trophy winner, leads the franchise in multiple goaltending categories. Pominville, a key player who spent 11 of his 15 seasons in Buffalo, and Dahlin, a rising star among Sabres defensemen, further exemplify the franchise's notable talents. Lastly, Vanek, who thrived for nine of his 14 NHL seasons in Buffalo, is the franchise's scoring leader since the 2000-01 season.
The Calgary Flames highlight Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. A Hall of Famer, Iginla’s impact is clear as the franchise leader in games played, goals, and points. Kiprusoff and Giordano contributed significantly during their tenures, with Giordano earning the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2018-19. Gaudreau, a former Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner, also ranks among the Flames’ all-time greats.
For the Carolina Hurricanes, the players chosen are Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho. Brind'Amour, a two-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, captained the 2006 Stanley Cup-winning team. Staal, also part of that championship roster, ranks second in franchise scoring, while Slavin and Aho represent the forward-thinking talent nurtured by the franchise in recent years.
The Chicago Blackhawks' distinguished Mount Rushmore features Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane's accolades include several major awards, while Toews captained the franchise and earned multiple honors during his storied tenure. Keith, a two-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, and Seabrook, a steadfast defender, played crucial roles as the Blackhawks celebrated their recent championship successes.
From the Colorado Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg have earned this recognition. MacKinnon and Makar have quickly ascended to stardom, with Makar earning accolades as a top defenseman. Sakic and Forsberg, both Hockey Hall of Famers, led the Avalanche to multiple championships, solidifying their legacies.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, the selected players are Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner. Bobrovsky's elite goaltending helped elevate the franchise, while Nash remains a significant presence in the Blue Jackets' history. Werenski and Jenner embody the franchise's future, with generations of fans looking ahead.
The Dallas Stars highlight Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano’s impressive statistics place him as a franchise legend, while Benn claims historical significance as the only Star to win the Art Ross Trophy. Zubov, a Hall of Famer, and Turco, a successful goaltender, complete this formidable lineup.
The Detroit Red Wings' iconic Mount Rushmore features Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström's dominance on the blue line during his Hall of Fame career and Yzerman's leadership shaped the franchise's storied history. Datsyuk and Zetterberg also add to the legacy, having been instrumental in securing multiple championships for the team.
Notable figures for the Edmonton Oilers are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ryan Smyth. McDavid’s accolades from recent seasons are complemented by Draisaitl's own excellence on the ice. Nugent-Hopkins and Smyth, who spent significant parts of their careers with the Oilers, underscore the franchise’s history of elite talent.
The Florida Panthers feature Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov has emerged as a central figure for the franchise, while Ekblad and Huberdeau each add to an impressive history. Luongo’s tenure as the franchise goaltending leader marks recognition for one of the team's legends.
The Los Angeles Kings highlight Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar's professional accomplishments and Doughty’s defensive prowess underscore the franchise's proud history. Quick's record-setting goaltending and Brown’s leadership further emphasize the Kings' storied past.
For the Minnesota Wild, Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon appear on this prestigious list. Koivu's longstanding role as captain and Gáborík's breakout performances showcase the franchise's growth, while Kaprizov represents the team’s bright future alongside the seasoned Spurgeon.
Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov make up the Montreal Canadiens' Mount Rushmore. Price's performance in the net has been exemplary, while Koivu and Subban have paved formative paths for the franchise. Markov's all-around play reveals the franchise's commitment to excellence.
The Nashville Predators highlight Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Josi has proven pivotal, Rinne's accolades in goal flavor the franchise's identity, and Forsberg’s record-breaking seasons broaden its legacy. Weber adds historical depth, establishing a strong connection to the franchise's past.
The New Jersey Devils feature Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Eliáš. Brodeur's longevity and dominance as a goaltender solidify him as a franchise icon. Stevens and Niedermayer remain vital components in the team's history, further extended by Eliáš’ impressive scoring records.
Among the New York Islanders' representatives are John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal. Tavares consistently ranked among the franchise's top players, while Nelson's scoring abilities and Lee's leadership during his tenure enrich the team's legacy. Barzal, a Calder Trophy winner, exemplifies fresh talent.
For the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox make the list. Lundqvist's impact on the franchise is undeniable, bolstered by Panarin’s scoring and Kreider’s physicality on the ice. Fox has rapidly become a leading defenseman, rounding out a formidable group.
The Ottawa Senators feature Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden. Alfredsson's captaincy and scoring prowess leave an indelible mark, while Karlsson’s two-time Norris Trophy wins amplify his status. Spezza and Redden also showcase significant talent, contributing to the franchise's development.
Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné represent the Philadelphia Flyers. Giroux's leadership capacity is matched by Couturier's defensive accolades. Voráček and Gagné add critical scoring contributions that help define the franchise’s historical success.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' notable players include Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang. Crosby's leadership attributes and Malkin's scoring ability stamp them as franchise stalwarts. Fleury's goaltending contributions greatly supported the team's dynasty, complemented by Letang's defensive skillset.
The San Jose Sharks comprise Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov. Marleau holds remarkable records within the franchise, while Thornton's playmaking capabilities define a generation of Sharks hockey. Burns and Nabokov enrich the historical narrative, showcasing the franchise's unique contributions.
For the Seattle Kraken, Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson inhabit the Mount Rushmore. McCann’s record-setting campaign solidifies his standing as a key figure. Dunn and Eberle’s consistent performances augment the emerging identity of this young franchise, while Larsson’s durability supports their foundation.
The St. Louis Blues recognize Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Pietrangelo's captaining effort played a fundamental role in securing their first Stanley Cup, complemented by O'Reilly's outstanding individual achievements. Pronger’s historical presence resonates deeply, while Tarasenko maintains a vital scoring role.
The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman on their Mount Rushmore. Stamkos’ leadership reflects the best of franchise history, supported by Kucherov’s offensive contributions and St. Louis’ historical depth. Hedman, a James Norris Trophy winner, completes this prestigious list.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly are celebrated. Matthews’ remarkable scoring solidifies his presence, while Sundin remains a defining figure in franchise history. Marner and Rielly further enhance the team’s story, each contributing significantly from their respective positions.
Lastly, the Utah Mammoth, who previously competed as the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, include Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov. Doan, the franchise's all-time leader, represents continuity and resilience, while Keller and Ekman-Larsson depict a new era. Bryzgalov’s goaltending efforts defined a significant period in the franchise’s history.
Also notable are the Vancouver Canucks, whose representatives include Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes. The Sedins, both Hall of Famers, left an unforgettable legacy as the franchise's scoring leaders. Näslund's impactful scoring and Hughes’ emergence as a premier defenseman only strengthen the team’s formidable legacy.
The Vegas Golden Knights highlight Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel. Fleury’s celebrated tenure culminated in a historic run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. Marchessault’s contributions led him to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023, while Theodore remains a mainstay in the lineup and Eichel adds an explosive offensive presence.








