Each NHL team boasts players whose accomplishments have distinguished them among their peers, whether as prolific scorers, adept defensemen, or stellar goaltenders. Among these athletes, a select few are regarded as the elite in their respective franchises, representing their team's all-time greats in a figurative 'Mount Rushmore.' For franchises with extensive histories, curating a list of four standout players can prove challenging, while those with more recent establishments can find the task easier. This overview focuses on players’ contributions over the past 25 years, starting from the 2000-01 NHL season, allowing for greater familiarity for contemporary fans through performance metrics, postseason achievements, and their significance to their teams during this period. Notably, some players featured may have represented multiple franchises during their careers. Additionally, players from relocated teams, such as the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth), are included in this analysis.

The Anaheim Ducks' roster of legends includes Ryan Getzlaf, who served as the franchise's longest-tenured captain for 12 seasons. Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 1,157 games played, 737 assists, and 1,019 career points. His teammate Corey Perry achieved notable accolades, including the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy in the 2010-11 season, ranking second in franchise history with 372 goals. Teemu Selänne, a Hall of Famer, spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Ducks, holding the team record for 457 goals. Jean-Sébastien Giguère, another key figure, holds Ducks records with 206 wins and 32 shutouts. All four players played pivotal roles in leading the Ducks to their Stanley Cup victory in 2007.

The Boston Bruins' Mount Rushmore features Patrice Bergeron, a six-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, and Zdeno Chára, a Hall of Famer and two-time Norris Trophy winner who captained the team for 14 seasons. Both players contributed significantly to Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup triumph. David Pastrňák, a standout scorer for the team, is notable for being only the second Bruin to score at least 60 goals in a season and has been a consistent offensive threat since his debut in the 2014-15 season. Brad Marchand, also a member of Boston's 2011 championship squad, is recognized for his scoring prowess and is ranked fourth among Bruins in total career points.

The Buffalo Sabres have their own icons, with Ryan Miller leading the franchise as a Vezina Trophy winner and goaltending leader. His tenure includes 540 games played and 284 wins. Jason Pominville, who spent 11 of his 15 NHL seasons in Buffalo, ranks eighth among Sabres franchise leaders in several offensive categories. Rasmus Dahlin has emerged as a key player, currently second in points among Sabres defensemen, while Thomas Vanek, who played nine seasons with the Sabres, is the leading goal-scorer since 2000-01.

The Calgary Flames' legacy features Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who holds franchise records for games played, goals, and points. Iginla's accomplishments include winning the Maurice Richard Trophy twice and the Art Ross Trophy. Miikka Kiprusoff, another franchise great, is celebrated as a Vezina Trophy winner and the all-time leader in multiple goaltending statistics. Mark Giordano, the 2019 Norris Trophy recipient, and Johnny Gaudreau, a Lady Byng Award winner, round out the roster of Flames legends, all of whom were instrumental in the franchise's success.

The Carolina Hurricanes' significant figures include Rod Brind'Amour, a two-time Selke Trophy winner and captain during their 2005-06 Stanley Cup run. Eric Staal, another key player from that championship team, is second all-time in franchise points. Jaccob Slavin recently made a name for himself, winning the Lady Byng Trophy, while Sebastian Aho continues to climb the ranks of franchise all-time leaders in scoring.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, the contributions of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are undeniable. Kane, a multi-award winner including the Calder and Conn Smythe Trophies, is recognized as a top scorer in franchise history. Toews, who has similarly garnered accolades including the Conn Smythe Trophy, has served as a cornerstone of the franchise's success. Duncan Keith, a Hall of Famer and multi-time Norris Trophy winner, along with Brent Seabrook, played significant roles in the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victories in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

The Colorado Avalanche's star power is evident through players like Nathan MacKinnon, who has been awarded the Hart Trophy and multiple scoring titles. Cale Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, symbolizes the franchise's current competitive edge. Joe Sakic, a cornerstone of the franchise during its championship years, and Peter Forsberg, who has left a lasting mark with high offensive totals, add historical depth to the Avalanche’s legacy.

The Columbus Blue Jackets find their legacy shaped by Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and franchise leader in key goaltending stats. Rick Nash remains a franchise icon with multiple team records, while Zach Werenski is making his mark among the league's elite defensemen. Boone Jenner stands out for his leadership and consistent play in a franchise still growing.

Mike Modano is an emblematic figure for the Dallas Stars, holding franchise records in several categories. Jamie Benn has made his impact known with an Art Ross Trophy to his name, while Sergei Zubov adds to the historical significance of the franchise's defense. Marty Turco rounds out the notable figures, contributing significantly as the franchise's goaltending leader.

The Detroit Red Wings have featured remarkable players such as Nicklas Lidström, a multimillion-dollar defenseman and seven-time Norris Trophy winner, and Steve Yzerman, a franchise legend who has also made a successful transition into management. Pavel Datsyuk, a Hall of Famer known for his brilliance on both offense and defense, and Henrik Zetterberg, who captained the team to success, also stand out in the annals of franchise history.

The Edmonton Oilers are synonymous with greatness, especially with Connor McDavid, a generational talent whose accolades include five Art Ross Trophies. Leon Draisaitl, a standout scorer in his own right, along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan Smyth, complete the core that has had a lasting impact on the franchise.

The Florida Panthers' Mount Rushmore includes Aleksander Barkov, recognized for his standout two-way play and impressive offensive production. Aaron Ekblad, a former rookie of the year, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo, the franchise's goaltending leader, have all contributed to the recent successes of the team.

The Los Angeles Kings' legacy can be traced through the efforts of Anze Kopitar, hailed for both his offensive contributions and leadership. Drew Doughty stands as a perennial Norris Trophy candidate, while Jonathan Quick’s role in goal has cemented his status in franchise history. Dustin Brown, a key component of the Kings’ championship teams, rounds out a distinguished group.

The Minnesota Wild’s franchise records are highlighted by Mikko Koivu, who captained the team for many years. Marian Gáborík, a dynamic scorer, and Kirill Kaprizov, who recently set single-season records, add to the excitement surrounding the Wild's future. Jared Spurgeon’s leadership and consistency further solidify the team’s depth.

Carey Price is a dominant figure in Montreal Canadiens lore, holding multiple franchise records for goalies and winning numerous awards. Saku Koivu, celebrated in Montreal for his lengthy career, is an all-time great alongside defensemen P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, who both left imprints in the franchise’s storied history.

In Nashville, Roman Josi represents the franchise as a two-way player and captain, winning the Norris Trophy while holding significant franchise statistics. Pekka Rinne is a beloved figure, guiding the Predators in goal and achieving multiple accolades. Filip Forsberg and Shea Weber, each with their contributions, add to a well-rounded team history.

The New Jersey Devils' most historic players are highlighted by goaltender Martin Brodeur, who holds numerous NHL records. Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer provided stability on defense, while Patrik Eliáš remains a top scorer within the franchise. Together, these players achieved multiple Stanley Cup victories, contributing significantly to the team's success.

As members of the New York Islanders' storied past, John Tavares, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee continue to represent the franchise’s legacy. Mathew Barzal, recognized for his offensive skill, has quickly made a name for himself. Each player’s accomplishments contribute to a deep pool of franchise history.

Henrik Lundqvist, one of the all-time great goalies, leads the New York Rangers' franchise records. Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, with their scoring and defensive prowess, combine their skills to shape the present landscape of the Rangers.

The Ottawa Senators rely on the contributions of Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, and Wade Redden, each of whom has made their mark during their time with the franchise. Alfredsson's leadership and scoring achievement solidified his status as a franchise icon.

Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voráček, and Simon Gagné form a four-player core for the Philadelphia Flyers, underscoring the team's rich history of talent and contributions to NHL success.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' dynasty is largely driven by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, both of whom have won numerous individual awards while contributing to the team's multiple championships. Marc-André Fleury and Kris Letang solidified their legacy as essential facets of the organization's success.

In San Jose, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton hold significant records, with both players contributing to the franchise in various capacities. Brent Burns, a Norris Trophy winner, and Evgeni Nabokov, one of the premier goaltenders in team history, complete a distinguished lineup.

With their recent expansion, the Seattle Kraken's top performers revolve around Jared McCann, the franchise leader in goals and points. Vince Dunn and Jordan Eberle also contribute to the young team's development, while Adam Larsson provides stability on the ice.

The St. Louis Blues' triumphant Stanley Cup run was spearheaded by captain Alex Pietrangelo and key players like Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Pronger, and Vladimir Tarasenko, each of whom has made an indelible impact on the franchise.

Steven Stamkos stands out as the long-serving captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Nikita Kucherov has canonized his mark on the franchise record books. Martin St. Louis, a Hall of Famer, and Victor Hedman, a vital defenseman, also contribute to the Lightning's success.

Auston Matthews represents the Toronto Maple Leafs as one of the highest-scoring players in franchise history. Mats Sundin, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly have also played critical roles with their notable scoring and playmaking abilities.

The history of the Utah Mammoth, formerly the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, is punctuated by Shane Doan, who played his entire career with the team. Clayton Keller, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Ilya Bryzgalov add to the rich narrative surrounding the franchise.

The Vancouver Canucks cherish the contributions of twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin, as well as Markus Näslund and Quinn Hughes, who represent a blend of high-scoring ability and defensive acumen.

The Vegas Golden Knights owe much of their success to Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Jack Eichel, each player continuously pushing the boundaries for the franchise's aspirations.