Each NHL team boasts players whose accomplishments have distinguished them from their teammates, encompassing an array of scoring forwards, skilled defensemen, and exceptional goaltenders. Among these athletes, a select few earn the distinction of being considered the best, deserving of a spot on their team's Mount Rushmore of top-four players of all time. For franchises with lengthy histories, narrowing the selection to four is a formidable task, while teams with shorter legacies find it easier to choose. This analysis focuses specifically on players from the past 25 years, beginning with the 2000-01 season, as these figures are more familiar to contemporary fans based on their overall performance, postseason success, and significance to their respective clubs.

Beginning with the Anaheim Ducks, key figures include Ryan Getzlaf, a center who is the longest-serving captain in Ducks history with 12 seasons. He holds the franchise record for games played, assists, and points. Corey Perry and Teemu Selänne were prominent forwards, with Selänne being a Hall of Famer and the franchise goals leader. Jean-Sébastien Giguère, also a standout, leads the franchise in wins and shutouts and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023 for playoff MVP. All four played crucial roles in the Ducks' Stanley Cup victory in 2007.

For the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron, a six-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, ranks third in franchise history for games played, goals, and points. Zdeno Chára, a Hall of Famer and former captain, led the team to a Stanley Cup in 2011. Other noteworthy players include David Pastrňák, who has made significant scoring contributions since his debut, and Brad Marchand, who shares the 2011 Cup win. Ryan Miller captures the goaltending accolades for the Buffalo Sabres, with impressive records including a Vezina Trophy and franchise leadership in wins and games played. Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek also held pivotal roles in the franchise’s history.

Turning to the Calgary Flames, Jarome Iginla is celebrated for his contributions, leading the franchise in games played, goals, and points, alongside Miikka Kiprusoff, a Vezina Trophy winner. Mark Giordano has also made a name for himself, earning the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019. Johnny Gaudreau, recognized for his contributions during his nine seasons, remains a central figure. The Carolina Hurricanes’ Mount Rushmore features Rod Brind'Amour, who captained the team to a Stanley Cup win, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho, each making significant impacts during their time with the franchise.

With the Chicago Blackhawks, players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews emerged as franchise legends, each winning multiple prestigious awards and contributing to three Stanley Cup championships. Goaltender Duncan Keith is a two-time Norris Trophy winner and a key figure during this successful period, along with Brent Seabrook. Notably, the Colorado Avalanche's standout players include Nathan MacKinnon, a multi-award winner, and Cale Makar, another rising star with accolades including the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy. Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg are integral as both legends of the past and contributors to Colorado's championship successes in the late '90s and early 2000s.

The Columbus Blue Jackets honor Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, alongside Rick Nash, a franchise legend with a powerful scoring record. Rasmus Dahlin’s recent strong performances and Boone Jenner's consistent presence highlight the franchise’s recent successes. The Dallas Stars celebrate Mike Modano, who holds impressive franchise records, along with Jamie Benn, a former Art Ross Trophy winner, and Sergei Zubov, a Hall of Fame defenseman. Marty Turco leads the goaltending ranks for the Stars.

In Detroit, the outstanding Nicklas Lidström leads the way with seven Norris Trophies, supported by franchise icons Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. The Edmonton Oilers’ four-player Mount Rushmore includes Connor McDavid, known for his scoring ability and accolades, and Leon Draisaitl, who shares the spotlight with historical players Ryan Smyth and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Florida Panthers’ highlights include franchise scoring leaders Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, along with key contributions from Jonathan Huberdeau and Roberto Luongo, the latter representing significant goaltending for the franchise.

The Los Angeles Kings showcase Anze Kopitar, a multiple award winner and franchise leader, alongside Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick, who have contributed to the team’s success in championship runs. The Minnesota Wild are represented by Mikko Koivu, an enduring captain, Marián Gáborík, and recent star Kirill Kaprizov, while Jared Spurgeon exemplifies consistency on defense. In Montreal, Carey Price leads the goaltending ranks, supported by players like Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov.

The Nashville Predators emphasize Roman Josi, their franchise leader in assists, with notable contributions from Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, and Shea Weber. Furthermore, the New Jersey Devils spotlight Martin Brodeur, the all-time leader in victories, along with Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer, both essential during the team’s championship runs. The New York Islanders’ Mount Rushmore features John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal, highlighting their historic contributions.

The New York Rangers remember Henrik Lundqvist, known as 'King Henrik', alongside Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, who have all made significant impacts recently. For the Ottawa Senators, legends include Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden. In Philadelphia, Claude Giroux is heralded as a versatile leader, joined by Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné.

The Pittsburgh Penguins offer a strong Mount Rushmore with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury, and Kris Letang, each playing vital roles in championship victories. The San Jose Sharks honor players like Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Nabokov, showcasing a strong history. The Seattle Kraken highlight Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, and Adam Larsson, reflecting their recent establishment in the league.

In St. Louis, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko shape the franchise’s legacy, contributing to significant moments including the 2019 Stanley Cup victory. The Tampa Bay Lightning remember Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman, who have been integral to multiple championship triumphs. Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs highlight Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly, each showcasing a strong scoring presence and leadership.

The Arizona Mammoth features franchise legends Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov, while the Vancouver Canucks celebrate the Sedins—Henrik and Daniel—along with Markus Näslund and Quinn Hughes. The Vegas Golden Knights' icons include Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel, who recently helped lead the team to their first championship.