Top 10 Greatest Hockey Players of All Time

Top 10 Greatest Hockey Players of All Time

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These legends didn’t just play the game; they changed it. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Greatest Hockey Players of All-Time. For this list, we’re looking at the best of the best, based on their career statistics and dominance in the NHL, as well as their legacy and lasting impact on the league. We’re looking at players at every position on the ice, including wingers, centers, defensemen and goalies.

Esposito became the first player in NHL history to score over 100 points in a single season, and set a record with 76 goals during the 1970-71 season that held until a guy by the name of Wayne Gretzky finally broke it a decade later. Over the course of his career, Esposito earned five Art Ross trophies for most points at the end of the regular season, each time scoring well over 100 points, and won two Hart trophies in 1969 and 1974 as league MVP. He bagged two Stanley Cups with the Bruins in '70 and '72, cementing his legendary status as one of the icons of his era.

The Moose played alongside some of the greatest players in history, but always found a way to distinguish himself. He was a behemoth on the ice, both in physical size and psychological presence. He was a composed leader, helping the Edmonton Oilers to five Stanley Cups in the 80’s, and also earning one with the Rangers. Messier was one of the most versatile players ever to hit the ice, balancing an intimidating, tough style with that of a creative playmaker. He had a unique scoring touch, and finished his career with 1887 points, earning the number 3 spot on the all-time leaderboard.

Aptly nicknamed “the ageless wonder,” Jaromir Jagr was drafted from his native Czechoslovakia all the way back in 1990, but was somehow still plying his trade with style almost 30 years later. Currently second all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky in career points with over 1900, and third all-time behind Gretzky and Howe in career goals, Jagr has cemented himself as one of the great offensive players in NHL history and one of the best European players to play on NHL ice. Jagr was showing no signs of slowing down even in his mid-40s, proving that age is just a number.

#7: Sidney Crosby

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While Alex Ovechkin has certainly staked his claim, it’s hard to argue against Sidney Crosby as the greatest player of the modern NHL era. Since entering the league as the first overall pick in 2005, he’s earned every major trophy out there: Olympic Gold, check; World Championship, check; Stanley cup, check that twice. In terms of individual awards, he’s earned the Art Ross, Rocket Richard, Ted Lindsay, Hart; … the list goes on. Crosby has eclipsed over 100 points in five seasons and is a natural leader. One of the most exciting players ever to grace NHL ice, there’s no doubt Sid the Kid is a future hall of famer.

#6: Patrick Roy

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Patrick Roy was entertaining, completely audacious, and, more than anything, damn good between the pipes. Statistically speaking, he’s a marvel, having won four Stanley cups, earning three Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP in the process. He also holds the record for most playoff wins by a goalie. His legend, however, goes beyond his impeccable statistics. He’s commonly credited with popularizing the butterfly style, which completely revolutionized the goaltender position in the league. Roy’s most distinguishing quality was his confidence, as he backed up his swagger with his consistent ability to completely disrupt the opposing team’s game plan by stopping nearly every puck that came near him.

While we were tempted to put other Canadiens legends like Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur on this list for their incredible achievements, ultimately we can’t deny the Rocket and his game-changing ability to put the puck in the net. Not only did Richard wind up winning eight cups in Montreal, he also ushered in a new era of hockey, and became an iconic personality that transcended the game. A wartime player who grew up on the tough streets of Montreal’s Bordeaux neighborhood, Richard revolutionized goal scoring, becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games.

Super Mario established himself as an all-time great in an era when Wayne Gretzky was shattering records – but even for Gretzky, it’s hard to overshadow a guy who’s 6 foot 4. Lemieux’s size and skill made him a nightmare for the league’s top defensemen, and he currently sits second all-time in points per game average with 1.8. His most prolific year was the 1988-89 season, when Lemieux notched an incredible 199 points in just 76 games. He also won back-to-back Stanley Cups for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and would go on to become part owner of the franchise he helped establish as a hockey powerhouse.

Mr. Hockey may be the most complete player to ever step on the ice, as brutal as he was graceful, and as offensively dominant as he was defensively solid. His name is synonymous with the game, and for good reason. Howe won four Stanley Cups in his historic career, all with the Detroit Red Wings, and was a 23-time all-star. Howe’s reputation as a gentle giant - a formidable physical presence on the ice and a gentleman off it – made him the perfect ambassador for the sport. And to this day, nobody’s played in more NHL games.

Bobby Orr invented the offensive defenseman. Commonly regarded as the creator of the d-man rush, Orr stuck himself in the thick of the attack and reaped the rewards. He’s the only defenseman ever to win the Art Ross, and for six straight years he earned over 100 points, which was unheard of for defensemen when Orr entered the league. Few teams could contend with Orr’s combination of size and speed, and his passing ability made him one of the greatest playmakers in the league. A revolutionary figure in NHL history, Orr has influenced countless players that followed his example. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - Bobby Hull - Martin Brodeur - Mike Bossy

Was there ever a question who was going to take the number one spot? Nicknamed “The Great One” for a reason, Gretzky tops pretty much every major NHL records chart. He’s the all-time points leader by nearly 1000 points, and he’s the NHL’s top goal scorer with 894 career goals. He’s also a four-time Stanley Cup winner, and is the only player to have his number 99 retired league-wide. The face of hockey, Gretzky was the top dog throughout the entirety of his twenty-year career, stunning the world when he was dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in what is commonly referred to as “The Trade.”