When discussing who is on the NHL’s Mount Rushmore, it is often a hot topic who cracks the top four and why. Let’s put aside the top four for all hockey and single it out for each team’s NHL Mount Rushmore of forwards throughout history.
That’s what exactly we are going to do at TPS today. This will be a long but fun list that’s full of surprises. Let’s get into it.
Which forwards made it for your favorite NHL team?
Anaheim Ducks – Teemu Selanne
76-goal scorer, Stanley Cup winner, Bill Masterton trophy winner, and the highest-scoring Finish player in NHL history. To this day, he holds the record for most goals scored by a rookie.
Anaheim Ducks – Ryan Getzlaf
The 17-year veteran and all-time points leader in Ducks History hung the skates up two seasons ago. Finishing with one all-star nomination and finishing second in Hart Trophy voting in the 2013-14 season.
Anaheim Ducks – Corey Perry
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Rocket Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy, All-Star Nomination, and Stanley Cup Trophy top off Correy Perry’s historic 2010-11 season and career with the Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks – Paul Kariya
The franchise leader in shorthanded goals, third in all-time goals, and two-time Lady Byng trophy and runner-up for the Hart Trophy in the 1996-97 season.
Arizona Coyotes – Shane Doan
He is the franchise leader in games played, goals, assists, points, and more. He also holds a King Clancy Trophy and Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Arizona Coyotes – Clayton Keller
The hometown kid drafted seventh overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Only 25 years old and quickly climbed the ladder for many franchise career records like Goals, Assists and Points while not even top 10 in games played yet.”
Arizona Coyotes – Keith Tkachuk
On OG enforcer back in the day with as his career went on. While counting for 832 penalty minutes, he still managed to put up 342 points during his time with the Coyotes.
Arizona Coyotes – Dale Hawerchuk
Technically, Hawerchuk was with the Coyotes when they were still considered the NHL team, the Winnipeg Jets, but still, he cemented himself as an all-time Coyote with many accolades to his name.
Boston Bruins – Patrice Bergeron
Arguably, Mr. Selke himself, with six Selke Trophy wins, a Mark Messier Leadership Trophy, a King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and a Stanley Cup. Bergeron is the quintessential definition of a defensive center.
Boston Bruins – Brad Marchand
Bergeron’s partner in crime and newly handed Captain. His stats might not stand out compared to his partners in the collection, but he has the most shorthanded goals in the Bruins’ history.
Boston Bruins – Phil Esposito
He has two Stanley Cups, five Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards,11th in points of all time, and five Bruins all-time career records. There is a reason he and his brother Tony are the best brothers to ever play in the NHL.
Boston Bruins – Johnny Bucyk
The Bruins’ all-time goal scorer holds six career stats, including goals, game-winning goals, and even strength goals.
Buffalo Sabres – Gilbert Perreault
He holds 16 career record stats for the Sabres, including goals, assists, points, and plenty more—a Lady Byng Trophy winner, a Calder Trophy Winner, and a two-time all-star.
Buffalo Sabres – Dave Andreychuck
He is right below Perreault for many of his records. He played 837 games for Buffalo and scored 368 goals, 436 assists, and 804 points during his 12 years with the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres – Pat LaFontaine
An all-star and a Bill Masterton award helped highlight his career in Buffalo. He also scored the most points in a season by a Sabre, 148, in 1993-93.
Buffalo Sabres – Jason Pominville
With 217 games played and 521 points scored with the NHL team, Buffalo Sabres, Pominville was always in contention for the Lady Byng.
Calgary Flames – Theo Fleury
Eleven years, 761 games, 364 goals, 466 assists for 830 points; if it weren’t for defencemen named Jerome Iginla, Fleury would hold most of the career records by a Flame.
Calgary Flames – Johnny Gaudreau
The latest name to leave the market leaves behind a legacy of an all-star appearance, the Lady Byng Trophy, and two top-five finishes for the Hart Trophy just to “win” in Columbus.
Calgary Flames – Joe Nieuwendyk
616 points in 577 games, a King Clancy Trophy, an all-star appearance, and a Calder Trophy led Nieuwendyk’s career in Calgary.
Calgary Flames – Gary Roberts
In five straight 200+ penalty-minute seasons, he totaled 1736 penalty minutes and played 585 games in his ten years with the Flames.
Carolina Hurricanes – Ron Francis
The all-time goals, points, assists, and 11 other franchise record holders. Add a plethora of hardware like the Selke, three-time Lady Byng, King Clancy, and two Stanley Cups to the player with the fourth most points ever in the NHL.
Carolina Hurricanes – Eric Staal
He was one of the four Staal brothers who grew his career in Carolina. A 12-year career consisted of 909 games, 322 goals, and 453 assists for 775 points, including a Stanley Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes – Sebastian Aho
The new kid on the block is helping this new age of Hurricanes to championship glory. Already in the top five in numerous Hurricane stats like goals, assists, points, and leads in short-handed goals.
Carolina Hurricanes – Rod Brind’Amour
He is the current Head Coach of the Hurricanes, which helps him integrate his style of play into his NHL team’s style. The two-time Selke winner demands excellence defensively, which he has shown throughout his career.
Chicago Blackhawks – Patrick Kane
“Show Time” was a key player for the BlackHawks in the 2010s, winning multiple trophies and solidifying his place as one of the greatest American players ever. He won three Stanley Cups and many other accolades.
Chicago Blackhawks – Jonathan Toews
Kane’s NHL teammate was crucial in the 2010 championships, scoring big points and winning a Selke Trophy. He had seven top-5 finishes in his career but is now threatened by injuries and illnesses.
Chicago Blackhawks – Bobby Hull
He made 12 straight all-star appearances and finished in the top five for the Hart and Art Ross Trophies anytime he was nominated during his playing time in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks – Stan Mikita
If Hull wasn’t holding a record, it is being held by Mikita. Partnering with Hull, the two helped set records that last to this day, and if Hull wasn’t winning the Art Ross or Hart Trophy, was Mikita taking it home?
Colorado Avalanche – Joe Sakic
The greatest Avalanche to ever do it on the ice now helps lead this NHL team from a management point to continue their dominance.
Colorado Avalanche – Nathan MacKinnon
The heir apparent to Sakic now looks to continue climbing up the record books and, hopefully, this 2023-24, add more hardware to his collection.
Colorado Avalanche – Peter Forsberg
One of the best Swedish players to ever play and shares multiple records with Sakic during their playing time together.
Colorado Avalanche – Paul Stastny
One of the best Czech players to lace them up while helping the Quebec Nordiques in their finals days before moving to Denver.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Rick Nash
The first true superstar in Columbus. The Rocket Richard winner with three straight 30+ goal seasons while having the franchise-leading record for most goals and points.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Boone Jenner
He scored over 30 points as an underrated defensive forward in his 11 years there, helping them compete and rebuild.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Nick Foligno
A definition of a true veteran who helped lead this NHL team during their competing days—winner of the Bill Masterton and King Clancy to back up his leadership resume
Columbus Blue Jackets – Cam Atkinson
Third in all-time games played, Atkinson was a crucial part of Columbus’s competitive run as a great playmaker.
Dallas Stars – Mike Modano
The current holder of 18 different career franchise records for the Stars. 20 years, 1459 games played, and numerous Selke and Lady Byng nominations throughout his time with the Stars.
Dallas Stars – Jamie Benn
With only 87 points, the Art Ross winner has seen better times, but recently, his play has picked up to help a new age in Dallas.
Dallas Stars – Dino Ciccarelli
If Modano doesn’t hold a record, Ciccarelli likely holds that record. He played during its final days as a Northstar and was vital to their last-minute success.
Dallas Stars – Tyler Seguin
Like Benn, Seguin had seen better days when he was constantly scoring 70-80 points, but he is bouncing back to help the youngsters in this NHL team grow.
Detroit Red Wings – Gordie Howe
Mr. Hockey himself—what else is there to say? He holds 12 franchise career records and has not been an all-star or nominated for a trophy for only four seasons.
Detroit Red Wings – Steve Yzerman
The man who can do it all, offensively and defensively, is now running the show from a managerial standpoint. Most of the goals and points in a season by a Red Wing are now scored by him.
Detroit Red Wings – Pavel Datsyuk
The Magic Man can steal a puck and break your goalie’s ankles. If there was ever a point when you needed a shootout goal, you went to this man.
Detroit Red Wings – Alex Delvecchio
Delvecchio was both productive and durable, playing in 548 consecutive regular-season games. After missing 22 games with a broken ankle, he played in all but 14 over his final 16 full seasons.
Edmonton Oilers – Wayne Gretzky
He’s the great one; does he really need an explanation?
Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid
Gretzky’s new “heir apparent” is fair from a fair title to give one, but if anyone is close to accomplishing his records, it’s him.
Edmonton Oilers – Jari Kurri
An all-time finish player and a key contributor to the Oilers in the 70’s-90s success with Gretzky.
Edmonton Oilers – Mark Messier
Another key contributor to Gretzky’s success was The Messiah. He was in a friendly competition with Gretzky to see who would win specific awards from each other for this NHL team.
Florida Panthers – Pavel Bure
Three-time Rocket Richard winner who, despite playing only four seasons with the Panthers, still holds a few records like most hat tricks in franchise history.
Florida Panthers – Aleksander Barkov
He is on his way to becoming the greatest Panther and Finish player ever. Holding 17 franchise records and is one of the best two-way forwards in the game.
Florida Panthers – Jonathan Huberdeau
Don’t let his time in Calgary distract you. He was just two seasons from putting up 115 points and leading the league in assists and is currently second in the Panthers franchise in assists.
Florida Panthers – Scott Mellanby
After just eight seasons with the Panthers, Mellanby is third in penalty minutes in Panthers history, scoring 354 points.
Los Angeles Kings – Anze Kopitar
It’s a generational two-way forward with two Selke’s and two Lady Byng trophies that, to this day, put up points while remaining defensively sound.
Los Angeles Kings – Marcel Dionne
The current all-time points leader with the Kings, who put up five straight seasons with 105 points or more.
Los Angeles Kings – Luc Robitaille
Like many greats that played with each other, if Dionne hadn’t held a record with the Kings, it would have been held by Robitaille while being a Lady Byng nominee.
Los Angeles Kings – Wayne Gretzky
He might not have been his best compared to his time in Edmonton, but he still holds the record for most points in a season with 168.
Minnesota Wild – Mikko Koivu
He was a Selke nomination machine, nominated ten times, five of them in the top ten. Consistency was the key, as he scored 42+ points in 11 of his 15 years with the Wild.
Minnesota Wild – Kirill Kaprizov
The newest generational star for the Wild is breaking records left and right and climbing the franchise record ladder every season. His 108 points in the 2021-22 season are just the beginning of what he can show.
Minnesota Wild – Marian Gaborik
In eight seasons with the Wild, Gaborik scored 80+ points in two seasons and 65+ points in three seasons.
Minnesota Wild – Zach Parise
Though he played nine seasons, the longer he played, the worse he got as the contract signed was not living up to his play, but the early times were on to remember, especially with his stint with the NFL team, the Wilds.
Montreal Canadiens – Jean Beliveau
Ten-time cup winner was crucial to the Canadian’s dominance in the early time between the 1950’s – 1970’s
Montreal Canadiens – Guy LaFluer
The Flower was a benefactor of all hockey and scooped up awards from 1974 to 1980, arguably being the most skilled Canadian player ever.
Montreal Canadiens – Maurice Richard
The Rocket himself, trophy names after his shot that blew away the competition, and was an all-star for 14 years straight.
Montreal Canadiens – Henri Richard
Maurice’s younger brother, rightly named “Pocket Rocket, ” became the winningest player ever with 11 Stanley Cups and a Bill Masterton.
Nashville Predators – Filip Forsberg
The newly crowned all-time leader in goals in a season and goals in franchise history. The Swed, with the sick stache, is helping this Nashville team compete every season.
Nashville Predators – David Legwand
Fifteen years and 956 games later, Legwand is the franchise leader for more games played in franchise history while receiving Selke nominations.
Nashville Predators – Martin Erat
With five seasons of 50+ goals, including three finishing at 49 goals, Erat sits highly among Czech players in history.
Nashville Predators – Craig Smith
Joined in the early 2010s as a rookie, Smith quickly climbed many career ladders and was a critical contributor to this NHL team’s success at the time.
New Jersey Devils – Patrik Elias
He is the all-time points and goals franchise leader, with many more under his name. He is helping bring two Stanley Cups to New Jersey while receiving multiple Selke and Lady Byng trophy votes.
New Jersey Devils – Jack Hughes
The newest star in town. He had to deal with injuries to start his career but already set the most points in a season in franchise history with 99 points.
New Jersey Devils – Zach Parise
Before taking his talents to Minnesota, New Jersey, where he drew and developed his skills, he finished with a career-high 94 points and received Selke and Lady Byng Trophy votes.
New Jersey Devils – John MacLean
Three seasons with over 70 points and one over 80. MacLean was an early contributor to this NHL team, which was very early after their recollection.
New York Islanders – Bryan Trottier
The all-time leader in points by an Islander and a loaded cabinet full of trophies, including six Stanley Cups. Trottier was a significant contributor to the dominance the Islanders had in the late 70’s and 80’s
New York Islanders – Mike Bossy
He played for ten years, was nominated, and won an award each of his seasons. He is the current all-time goals leader and has the most points and goals in a season. “The Boss” had five 60+ goal seasons during his run.
New York Islanders – Clark Gillies
“Jethro” was a part of this NHL team’s legacy run. While being outshined by Bossy and Trottier, they were putting up significant numbers to help pave their way to championships.
New York Islanders – Brent Sutter
The defensive Stuart of the Islanders championship era. Eleven Selke nominations, with a streak of five in a row coming in the top five, while putting up a 102-point season.
New York Rangers – Rod Gilbert
The “Hot Rod” holds the record for most points and goals in the franchise’s history, adding two Stanley Cups and a Bill Masterton trophy.
New York Rangers – Jean Ratelle
Two Lady Byng trophies and finishing in the top five five other times. He adds a Bill Masterton and Ted Lindsay trophy to his two Stanley Cups.
New York Rangers – Andy Bathgate
Eight straight seasons with over 74 points in the late 50s to early 60s helped Bathage secure one Hart Trophy and four all-star appearances.
New York Rangers – Mark Messier
While some might not agree with Messier’s history and how he treated his time here, in 10 seasons, he is fifth in all-time points and secured a Hart Trophy.
Ottawa Senators – Daniel Alfredsson
This needs no more explanation. He leads the franchise in goals, assists, points, playoff goals/assists/points, and game-winning goals, Except for the games played, which Chris Phillips has one more of.
Ottawa Senators – Danny Heatly
Although he has only played in 504 games, he is third in points with 491 and points per game with 0.97.
Ottawa Senators – Jason Spezza
He ranks second in points all-time with 687 and sits second in goals, assists, game-winning goals, and points per game. Fun fact: he was also a point per game while a Senator.
Ottawa Senators – Chris Neil
Fifteen years later, he played with the Senators with 2522 penalty minutes, ranking 20th all-time. His career could have been more spectacular, but he significantly impacted the city of Ottawa and this NHL team.
Philadelphia Flyers – Mark Recchi
He had 602 career games with 627 points with the Flyers, which saw him achieve over 100 points twice.
Philadelphia Flyers – Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke is undoubtedly the quintessential Philadelphia Flyer. All-time points leader with a cabinet full of multiple Stanley Cups and trophies and holder of 14 other franchise records.
Philadelphia Flyers – Claude Giroux
His 15-year career with the Flyers ended recently, and now he shows dominance over his career with them: elite two-way forward, silky smooth hands, and a top-tier faceoff taker.
Philadelphia Flyers – Bill Barber
A 12-year career with only the Flyers led to two Stanley Cups, three all-star appearances, and four seasons with over 80 plus points, including a 112-point season.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux saved the Pittsburgh Penguins twice, once when he was drafted and once when he bought the team after retiring. He is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr helped Lemieux lead this NHL team to a pair of championships in 1991 and 1992 and was another of the most dynamic offensive players in the game’s history.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby
He is taking the reins of the two previous greats of Lemieux and Jagr and cementing himself up there with them with his own three Stanley Cups and a shelf full of hardware.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Evgeni Malkin
The Robin to Crosby’s Batman, which, in its own right, isn’t fair for the type of player Malkin is on the ice and the magic he did.
San Jose Sharks – Patrick Marleau
Leader of 16 franchise records, which include most points and goals. With 1607 games played in 21 years, Marleau went through many stages of the Sharks history.
San Jose Sharks – Joe Thornton
The superstar at the time took his talents from Boston and helped usher in a new age for the Skarks by setting a franchise record of 114 points in the 2005-06 season.
San Jose Sharks – Joe Pavelski
In his 13 years with San Jose, Pavelski played seven full seasons without missing a game, averaging over 60 points and getting Selke nomination votes.
San Jose Sharks – Logan Couture
Through 15 years with the Sharks, Couture went only seven seasons with a nomination vote for the Selke and Lady Byng trophy.
Seattle Kraken – Jared McCann
Fresh off an expansion spot, McCann holds the record for most goals and points in a season and currently has the most goals and points by a Kraken so far.
Seattle Kraken – Jordan Eberle
The veteran brought in from the Islanders has been terrific for them. Three seasons with over 44 points and a playoff series win.
Seattle Kraken – Yanni Gourde
A significant reason for their playoff success last year was the depth Gourde provided offensively and defensively, receiving Selke votes as well.
Seattle Kraken – Jaden Schwartz
More veteran depth is needed to help the NHL team with their growing ways of rookies. Schwartz knows what it takes to win games and has put up over 30 points each season.
St. Louis Blues – Brett Hull
With the most goals and points in a season, including the most goals in franchise history, Hull lit the lamp, winning a plethora of trophies during his time in St.Louis.
St. Louis Blues – Bernie Federko
Bernie Federko remains the franchise’s best overall player and all-time leading scorer with four seasons with 100 plus points and numerous Lady Byng nomination votes.
St. Louis Blues – Garry Unger
Garry Unger was the Blues’ top scorer in the 1970s and ranks fourth in NHL team history for goals and points.
St. Louis Blues – Ryan O'Reilly
In five years with the Blues, O’Reilly helped this NHL team win their first Stanley Cup and won the Selke and Conn Smythe award in the same year.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Steven Stamkos
Taking the reigns from Lecavalier, Stamkos now has the most games played, points, and goals in franchise history, as well as two Stanley Cups and Rockey Richard trophies.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Nikita Kucherov
Quickly climbing the all-time career leaders in multiple stats, Kucherov has been making waves in the NHL with four 100-point seasons, including this 2023-24 season, where he was the fifth player in NHL history with 100 assists in a season.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Martin St. Louis
Despite his lack of size, Martin St. Louis has been a consistently offensive solid contributor. He is the Bolts’ all-time assist leader and ranks second overall in points.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Vincent Lecavalier
A Rocket Richard and King Clancy award winner, Lecavalier was the premier Lighting before Stamkos entered his era.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Mats Sundin
The greatest Swedish player to ever play and arguably the best Leaf to ever play. The all-time franchise leader in goals, points, and games played.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Auston Matthews
The next generation is paving his way as an all-time Leaf and goal scorer. He is third in goals and hasn’t even broken into the top ten games played. He just finished with the most goals in a season since the 1970s.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Dave Keon
Dave Keon played over 1,000 games over 15 seasons with the Leafs. He remains third in franchise history for goals (365) and points (858).
Toronto Maple Leafs – Darryl Sittler
Darryl Sittler served as the captain of the Leafs from the late 1970s to the early 1980s and was considered one of the most thrilling players in the NHL during his career with the team. He is among the two players in the Leafs’ history to have scored over 900 career points while playing for the Maple Leafs.
Vancouver Canucks – Markus Naslund
Three straight all-star appearances, a Ted Lindsay award with nominations for the Selke, Lady Byng, and Hart trophies highlighted the early 2000s for Naslund.
Vancouver Canucks – Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden holds the record for most games played and is third in all-time points for Canucks while winning a King Clancy trophy.
Vancouver Canucks – Pavel Bure
Drafted to the Canucks in the sixth round of the 1989 draft, Bure went on to win the Calder trophy and then put up back-to-back 107 plus-point seasons.
Vancouver Canucks – Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl played for the Vancouver Canucks for 13 seasons in the 1970s and is fifth all-time in points and games played.
Vegas Golden Knights – Jonathan Marchessault
Taken eighth in the expansion draft, Marchessault leads the franchise in all-time goals, points, and hat tricks while being the first player to win the Conn Smyth for the franchise.
Vegas Golden Knights – William Karlsson
Coming off a slow career to his NHL career, Karlsson’s move to Vegas sparked something in him, reaching a new career high in 78 points and winning the Lady Byng.
Vegas Golden Knights – Mark Stone
A perineal two-way forward who finished in the top five in Selke voting five times and all in a row. Currently dealing with injuries but is a significant factor on the ice when healthy.
Vegas Golden Knights – Jack Eichel
A forward who has had injuries mess with his career and was a significant factor in the trade to Vegas but helped them win their first Stanley Cup while starting to stay healthy.
Washington Capitals – Alex Ovechkin
The new face of the Capitals and the greatest goal-scorer of this generation. He is chasing down Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals in the NHL.
Washington Capitals – Nicklas Backstrom
The man who helped Ovechkin get to where he is today. The Swedes’ excellent playmaking ability leads the franchise in assists, earning him multiple nominations for the Selke and Lady Byng.
Washington Capitals – Peter Bondra
Second in all-time goals for this NHL team, Bondra’s records were all set but now overtaken by the other faces on this list.
Washington Capitals – Mike Gartner
Of the ten seasons he played for the Capitals, Gartner scored 30 or more in nine and is third all-time in goals and points.
Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers – Ilya Kovalchuk
The all-time leader in goals in a season and franchise history, Kovalchuk scored 40-plus goals in six straight seasons, received Hart Trophy votes, and won a Rocket Richard.
Winnipeg Jets – Teemu Selanne
Before taking his reins to the Ducks and cementing his career there, he showed out with the Coyotes. Three all-star appearances, a Rocket Richard Trophy, and is still leading the franchise in multiple goal-related stats.
Winnipeg Jets – Blake Wheeler
The all-time points leader has now moved on to another NHL team. From the Atalanta days to the new Winnipeg days, Wheeler helped along the way, receiving Selke and Lady Byng nominations.
Winnipeg Jets – Mark Scheifele
Catching up to Wheeler’s records, Scheifele’s 13 years with the team continues as he starts his newly signed eight-year contract to keep the team competitive.
