Each NHL team possesses players whose achievements have distinguished them from their peers, ranging from prolific scoring forwards to skilled defensemen and exceptional goaltenders. Within these ranks, a select few emerge as the pinnacle of excellence, whose faces might well be carved into their team's metaphorical Mount Rushmore, representing the top four players in club history. For franchises with extensive histories, narrowing the selection to four standout players proves to be a challenging task, whereas for those with relatively shorter timelines, the process is somewhat more straightforward. This analysis focuses on the last 25 years of NHL history, commencing with the 2000-01 season, to spotlight players that have resonated most with contemporary fans through their performance, postseason achievements, and significance to their teams. It’s worth noting that some individuals may appear on more than one team's Mount Rushmore due to their careers spanning multiple franchises, including players formerly associated with relocated teams like the Atlanta Thrashers, now the Winnipeg Jets, and the Arizona Coyotes, now set to become the Utah Mammoth. Previous compilations have delved into similar investigations for Major League Baseball and the NFL.

Among the players considered for the Anaheim Ducks are Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selänne, and Jean-Sébastien Giguère. Getzlaf holds the mantle as the longest-serving captain in Ducks history, leading the team for 12 seasons and holding franchise records for games played, assists, and points. Perry, a notable player in the 2010-11 season, garnered both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy, contributing significantly to the Ducks' lineup with his goal-scoring prowess. Teemu Selänne, a future Hall of Famer, characterized his career with the Ducks, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in goals. Giguère, instrumental in ensuring the Ducks' triumph in the 2007 Stanley Cup, holds the team's record for wins and shutouts in the goaltending category.

Turning to the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, David Pastrňák, and Brad Marchand represent a formidable quartet. Bergeron, a six-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, ranks third in multiple franchise statistical categories, while Chára's legacy as a Hall of Famer includes being a long-serving captain and winning the Norris Trophy. Both players contributed to the Bruins' success in the 2011 Stanley Cup. Pastrňák made his mark as one of the franchise's elite scorers, while Marchand also contributed to the 2011 championship, solidifying his position among the Bruins' all-time greats.

The Buffalo Sabres are represented by Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Rasmus Dahlin, and Thomas Vanek. Miller, a Vezina Trophy winner, etched his name into franchise history with his goaltending records. Pominville, a key figure for 11 years, remains among the top scorers in franchise history. Dahlin, emerging as a young star, is showing potential as a franchise leader among defensemen, while Vanek's contributions as a scorer place him high on the Sabres’ historic lists.

The Calgary Flames Mount Rushmore features Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau. Iginla, a Hall of Famer, is a franchise icon with numerous individual accolades. Kiprusoff is remembered for his Vezina-winning season and significant contributions to the Flames in net. Giordano, a Norris Trophy winner, has solidified his status as one of the greats, while Gaudreau's accomplishments include winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, further enhancing his impact during his tenure with the team.

The Carolina Hurricanes' representatives include Rod Brind'Amour, Eric Staal, Jaccob Slavin, and Sebastian Aho. Brind'Amour, a celebrated two-way forward, captained the franchise to its 2006 Stanley Cup victory. Staal, a vital contributor during the 2006 run, holds impressive rankings in franchise scoring. Slavin, recognized for his defensive skills, and Aho, a budding star, round out this influential quartet.

The Chicago Blackhawks' legacy is encapsulated by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Kane and Toews are exceptional talents who contributed significantly to multiple championships, while Keith, a Hall of Famer, and Seabrook helped shape the Blackhawks' dynasty.

The Colorado Avalanche's Mount Rushmore includes Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Joe Sakic, and Peter Forsberg. MacKinnon and Makar have been vital to the team's recent success, with MacKinnon being named an MVP. Sakic and Forsberg, both Hall of Famers, led the franchise to historic Stanley Cup victories.

In the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sergei Bobrovsky, Rick Nash, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner lead the way. Bobrovsky's goaltending performance has set franchise records, while Nash remains the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer. Werenski and Jenner are instrumental to the team's current roster.

With the Dallas Stars, notable figures include Mike Modano, Jamie Benn, Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco. Modano's status as a franchise leader is unmatched, while Benn's scoring prowess has established him as one of the greats. Zubov's Hall of Fame career and Turco's goaltending achievements solidify this lineup.

For the Detroit Red Wings, the legendary group consists of Nicklas Lidström, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidström, a seven-time Norris Trophy winner, redefined defensive excellence, while Yzerman's leadership guided the team through multiple championship triumphs. Both Datsyuk and Zetterberg are celebrated for their performances and contributions to the team's rich history.

The Florida Panthers identified their key players as Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo. Barkov leads in several franchise statistics, while Ekblad and Huberdeau contribute significantly to the team's current efforts. Luongo's legacy remains a pillar of the franchise's winning culture.

The Los Angeles Kings' Mount Rushmore features Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, and Dustin Brown. Kopitar's leadership qualities and statistical prowess place him at the forefront, supported by Doughty's accolades as a defenseman. Quick's contributions to the goaltending position and Brown's captaincy highlight this formidable group.

For the Minnesota Wild, players such as Mikko Koivu, Marián Gáborík, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jared Spurgeon exemplify the franchise's impact. Koivu, the longest-serving captain in team history, is a franchise leader, while Gáborík set high standards as an early star. Kaprizov's recent achievements and Spurgeon's steady presence further represent the team's legacy.

The Montreal Canadiens' Mount Rushmore is comprised of Carey Price, Saku Koivu, P.K. Subban, and Andrei Markov. Price's prominent goaltending achievement and records form the backbone of this group. Koivu's contributions as a long-serving captain, coupled with Subban's dynamic play and Markov's steadfast defense, round out this standout ensemble.

Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko make up the St. Louis Blues' representation. Pietrangelo's leadership led to their first Stanley Cup victory, while O'Reilly made his mark in key moments. Pronger's defensive contributions are historical, and Tarasenko's scoring capabilities have been central to the team's offense.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's Mount Rushmore identifies Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Martin St. Louis, and Victor Hedman. Stamkos’s remarkable scoring and leadership is a hallmark of the franchise, while Kucherov's accomplishments underline the team's recent successes. St. Louis's Hall of Fame career and Hedman's achievements further support this collection of greatness.

The Toronto Maple Leafs feature Auston Matthews, Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly. Matthews's scoring achievements have marked him as a franchise leader, while Sundin's Hall of Fame career cements his legacy. Marner and Rielly also contribute to the team's storied history.

Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov represent the Arizona franchise, which transitioned from the Phoenix Coyotes. Doan's dedicated career has left an indelible mark, while Keller, Ekman-Larsson, and Bryzgalov contributed significantly to the team's success and history.

Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Quinn Hughes illustrate the Vancouver Canucks' legacy. The Sedins hold outstanding positions in franchise statistics, with both recognized as Hall of Famers. Näslund's early contributions combined with Hughes's recent accolades complete this team’s historical narrative.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights are represented by Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel. Fleury's playoff performances have defined their early success, and Marchessault's scoring achievements are pivotal. Theodore's presence on the blueline and Eichel's contributions further solidify the franchise's growing legacy.