Ice Hockey is a very interesting sport. The game has become increasingly popular lately, thanks to the super athletic players who entertain the audience. But who are the 10 best hockey players in the NHL?
Making a list of the best players in any sport always leads to controversy. You may not like a couple of players we have mentioned.
But that is what makes it interesting. This article features some legends like Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard, as well as the modern-day Sidney Crosby.
You will find the list interesting. We have prioritized their performance, contribution to the team, and overall impact on the sport.
Let’s see who the greatest NHL hockey players are.
The 10 NHL Best Hockey Players of All Time
| Player Name | Playing Position | Career |
| Gordie Howe | Right Wing | 1946-1980 |
| Bobby Orr | Defense | 1966-1978 |
| Wayne Gretzky | Center | 1979-1999 |
| Jean Beliveau | Center | 1950-1971 |
| Maurice Richard | Right Wing | 1942-1960 |
| Mario Lemieux | Center | 1984-1997 |
| Guy Lafleur | Right Wing | 1971-1991 |
| Sidney Crosby | Center | 2005-Present |
| Mark Messier | Center | 1978-2004 |
| Bobby Hull | Left Wing | 1957-1980 |
1. Gordie Howe
| Full name | Gordon Howe |
| Date of birth | March 31, 1928 |
| Place of birth | Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 205 lb |
| Shot | Right |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 4 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 6 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 6 times
We are starting with Gordie Howe. He is the best right wing the game has ever had. At 6 feet, he was a complete hockey player and so earned the nickname “Mr. Hockey.”
He had great scoring ability, was a versatile player, and had a long career in the NHL.
Howe was born in Floral in 1928. He started playing hockey when he was eight years old. He was determined to make his career in the sport by sixteen.
Howe was mainly right-handed, but he could also use his left hand for scoring. It made him a unique player of his time.
Howe made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946. He scored in his first game. Everyone was impressed by the eighteen-year-old boy’s skills. He became known for his great playmaking and scoring abilities.
Howe led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup victories. In addition, he won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy six times each.
His stats also look very amazing, with 121 game-winning goals. All these accomplishments have cemented his established legacy as the best NHL player of all time.
Career Stats of Gordie Howe
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1767 | 801 | 1049 | 1850 | 3803 | 121 |
2. Bobby Orr
| Full name | Robert Gordon Orr |
| Date of birth | March 20, 1948 |
| Place of birth | Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 197 lb |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 2 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 2 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 3 times
- All-star: 9 times
Next, we have the legendary defenseman Bobby Orr. The man revolutionized the defenseman position with his offensive playing style.
He was not only skilled in defense, but he also had a great ability to puck and create opportunities for the offense.
Orr was born in Ontario in 1948. He was born into a sports family. His grandfather, Robert Orr, was a famous soccer player of his time. Bobby Orr began to play hockey when he was five. He showed some great skill at that early age.
Orr used to play on the wing at an early age. But the former NHL player and his coach, Bucko McDonald, moved him to defense, and Orr showed even better performance in that position. Orr’s professional career began when he was only 18 and he was signed by the Bruins in 1966.
Orr scored his first goal against the Montreal Canadiens with a slapshot. Orr showed great confidence while defending against some of the best players of that time, including Ted Harris. It became clear in his first season that he was going to make it big in the NHL.
Orr suffered from several injuries during his career. His pro career, unfortunately, ended in 1978 due to a persistent knee injury. He played 657 games by then and scored 915 points in his career, along with 26 game-winning goals.
Despite having a short career, Orr established himself as one of the 10 NHL best hockey players of all time.
Career Stats of Bobby Orr
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 657 | 270 | 645 | 915 | 3058 | 26 |
3. Wayne Gretzky
| Full name | Wayne Douglas Gretzky |
| Date of birth | January 26, 1961 |
| Place of birth | Brantford, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 185 lb |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 4 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 10 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 9 times
Our next entrant is Wayne Gretzky. He is one of the most popular NHL players. He had everything one needs to become a legend. He had the scoring ability, playmaking ability, Hockey IQ, and great leadership ability.
Gretzky also comes from Ontario. He was born in 1961. He began to play hockey when he was only five years old. He started to play for a club the following year.
The club used to recruit children who were at least ten years old. Gretzky became the youngest member of the club.
Gretzky joined the Edmonton Oilers as a central player in 1979. Many speculated that, since he had played in the World Hockey Association prior to joining the NHL, Gretzky would struggle in the NHL. But Gretzky proved them wrong pretty soon.
Gretzky proved himself to be a goal machine. He scored 50 goals in his first season and became the youngest player to do so.
He also won the Art Ross Award in his second season for scoring 164 points. Gretzky scored 50 goals from only 39 games in the 1981-82 season. It brought him to the limelight of the league.
Gretzky set and broke many records in his twenty-year NHL career. He even won the Art Ross Award ten times and the Hart Memorial Trophy nine times.
Moreover, he led his team to four Stanley Cup victories. He clearly had one of the most successful careers in the NHL.
Career Stats of Wayne Gretzky
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1487 | 894 | 1963 | 2857 | 5088 | 91 |
4. Jean Beliveau
| Full name | Joseph Jean Arthur Béliveau |
| Date of birth | August 31, 1931 |
| Place of birth | Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 205 lb |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 10 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 1 time
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 2 times
You surely can’t expect this list to end without Jean Beliveau. He is a ten-time NHL champion, won the Art Ross Trophy in 1956, and two times won the Hart Memorial Trophy. He had been a constant face in the NHL for twenty long years.
Beliveau was born in Quebec in 1931. He only began to play hockey after turning twelve years old. But he showed quick progress.
He was competing in the senior league of Quebec at the age of 16. He quickly became a star player in the league.
Beliveau was drafted into the NHL in 1950. He debuted with the Montreal Canadiens. His rookie performance was much better, but he did not express much interest in becoming a professional. He began playing full-time in 1954.
Beliveau became the key player for the Canadiens. He led the franchise to 10 NHL Cup victories in his career. It makes him one of the most successful players in the NHL.
He retired in 1971. By then, Beliveau recorded 507 goals, 712 assists, and 1219 points and became an all-time great.
Career Stats of Jean Beliveau
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1125 | 507 | 712 | 1219 | 2627 | 83 |
5. Maurice Richard
| Full name | Joseph Henri Maurice “Rocket” Richard |
| Date of birth | August 4, 1921 |
| Place of birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 180 lb |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 8 times
- All-Star: 14 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 1 time
We have Maurice Richard at number five on the list. He used to play in the right-wing position for the Montreal Canadiens.
He was known for his powerful and accurate shots, and he could score, assist, and lead the team.
Richard was a Montreal native. He was born in 1921. He learned skating when he was four years old, but he started playing hockey at the age of fourteen.
Many would have thought that it was too late, but Richard became serious about Ice Hockey and continued to learn and play.
Richard was signed by the Canadiens finally in 1942. He quickly proved his worth in the league. He became the first player to score 50 goals in a single season.
His powerful shots were nightmares for the defense and the goalkeepers. He was given the nickname “Rocket.”
Montreal Canadiens became the most dominant franchise in the NHL. Credit goes to dedicated and hardworking players like Maurice Richard.
Richard led the Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup victories. He also had 14 all-star appearances.
Richard also had a great impact on the game. He popularized Ice Hockey in Quebec, inspiring many youngsters to play the sport. He also contributed to making the NHL one of the most popular sports leagues.
Because of his performance, success, and contribution to the game, Richard is among the 10 NHL’s best hockey players of all time.
Career Stats of Maurice Richard
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 978 | 544 | 422 | 966 | 166 | 84 |
6. Mario Lemieux
| Full name | Mario Lemieux |
| Date of birth | October 5, 1965 |
| Place of birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 235 lb |
| Shot | Right |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 2 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 6 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 3 times
- All-Star: 9 times
Mario Lemieux is a very popular name in the NHL. He is the man who defined Ice Hockey in the 1980s and 90s. He became a household name. He was given many nicknames, including “The Magnificent.”
Lemieux was born in Montreal in 1965. He began to play hockey at the age of three. His parents were also very encouraging about it. They would sometimes pack snow in the living room so that he could practice his game.
Lemieux became very popular because of his record in his junior career. He was the first pick in the 1984 draft. The Pittsburgh Penguins were losing their popularity when Lemieux made his debut.
He impressed everyone with his performance. He also became the first rookie to be named the all-star MVP.
Lemieux became a star quickly. Fans began to return to see the Penguins’ games because of him. He even helped the franchise win two Stanley Cups. But he suddenly retired in 1997 due to injuries and other health issues.
Lemieux scored 690 goals in his thirteen-year career, including 74 game-winning goals. He also won the Art Ross Trophy six times and the Hart Memorial Trophy three times.
No wonder he belongs to the class of the 10 NHL best hockey players of all time.
Career Stats of Mario Lemieux
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 915 | 690 | 1033 | 1723 | 3633 | 74 |
7. Guy Lafleur
| Full name | Guy Lafleur |
| Date of birth | September 20, 1951 |
| Place of birth | Thurso, Quebec, Canada |
| Height | 6′ 0″ |
| Weight | 185 lbs |
| Shot | Right |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 5 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 3 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 2 times
- All-Star: 6 times
The next legend on our list is Guy Lafleur. He also used to play in the right-wing position. He played in the NHL from 1971 to 1991.
Lafleur was a talented and dynamic forward. He had amazing speed and great control over his stick.
Lafleur was born in Thurso in 1951. Lafleur started playing hockey at the age of five. He was drafted to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens in 1971.
He had a very significant career. He was a part of five Stanley Cup-winning teams.
Lafleur’s achievement list is also quite large. He was awarded the Art Ross Trophy three times and the Hart Memorial Trophy twice. He had 14 all-star appearances in his 20-year NHL career.
Lafleur competed in a total of 1126 games. He took over three thousand shots on goal and found the net 560 times. Lafleur was also a great playmaker.
He recorded 793 assists. He had a natural talent for scoring goals and could create scoring opportunities out of nothing.
Lafleur’s speed, skill, and vision made him a constant threat on the ice. He retired in 1971 as one of the NHL’s best hockey players ever.
Career Stats of Guy Lafleur
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1126 | 560 | 793 | 1353 | 3516 | 98 |
8. Sidney Crosby
| Full name | Sidney Crosby |
| Date of birth | August 7, 1987 |
| Place of birth | Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Height | 5′ 11″ |
| Weight | 200 lbs |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 3 times
- Art Ross Trophy: 2 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 2 times
Sidney Crosby is the only active player on the list. You do not need to wait for the end of his career to place him in the 10 NHL best hockey players of all time. He has already reached that status. He will only climb up with time.
Crosby was born in Nova Scotia in 1987. He started playing Ice Hockey at an early age. He was a born winner.
During his junior career, he led his teams to win several trophies. No wonder he became the overall first pick in the 2005 draft.
Crosby is a natural on the ice. He has great skating ability, agility, and stickhandling, which make him a threat to opponents. He also has great leadership ability.
He was named captain of the Penguins in 2007. With his honesty and dedication to the game, he earned the trust and respect of his fellow team members.
Crosby is a constant performer. But he has a knack for big games. He has the habit of scoring important goals.
He also has scored 86 game-winning goals for the Penguins. Crosby, at present, is the most popular NHL player.
Crosby dealt with injuries several times, but his resilience and determination helped him overcome them.
He is expected to have several more seasons to play, and if so, he will surely move up the ladder.
Career Stat of Sidney Crosby
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1187 | 548 | 949 | 1497 | 3781 | 86 |
9. Mark Messier
| Full name | Mark Messier |
| Date of birth | January 18, 1961 |
| Place of birth | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Height | 6′ 1″ |
| Weight | 210 lbs |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 6 times
- All-Star: 5 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 2 times
Mark Messier had a long career in the NHL. He competed in the league for 26 years, representing four different teams.
He won six Stanley Cups and two Hart Memorial Trophies. He is one of the most successful center players of modern times.
Messier was born in 1961. He started practicing hockey with his brother at a young age. It did not take him long to reach the NHL. He made his debut in the big league with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978.
Messier made a bad name for himself with discipline issues in his first season. He even missed a team flight.
He changed himself soon and became the team’s locker room leader. His presence brought about aggression in the team.
Mark Messier started his career as a left winger but later played in the center position. He was quite skillful in both positions. He played 1756 games in his career and registered 694 goals.
In addition, he scored 92 game-winning goals, making him a worthy entrant on the list.
Career Stats of Mark Messier
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1756 | 694 | 1193 | 1887 | 4221 | 92 |
10. Bobby Hull
| Full name | Robert Marvin Hull, OC |
| Date of birth | January 3, 1939 |
| Place of birth | Pointe Anne, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 5′ 10″ |
| Weight | 191 lbs |
| Shot | Left |
Career Highlights
- Stanley Cup winner: 1 time
- Art Ross Trophy: 3 times
- Hart Memorial Trophy: 2 times
- All-Star: 12 times
Bobby Hull is the final entrant in our list of the 10 best NHL hockey players of all time. He is a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner, a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, and a one-time NHL champion.
Hull was born in 1939. He became interested in hockey from an early age. He played in the major junior league and outshone his contemporary players. He used to play on the left wing.
Hull made his NHL debut with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1957. He quickly became a top star in the league. Hull was very talented and scored a lot. Some of his shots were so powerful that he even broke the gloves of the goalie.
Bobby Hull scored fifty or more goals in five seasons. He also scored 98 game-winning goals. Hull was not satisfied with the salary he was paid.
So, he moved to the WHA. However, his NHL career remains the best part of his career. He is one of the most prolific scorers of all time.
Career Stats of Bobby Hull
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots on goal | Game-winning goals |
| 1063 | 610 | 560 | 1170 | 4577 | 98 |
Conclusion
This was the list of the 10 best hockey players in the NHL. These players dominated the game. They define their eras.
They had successful careers and won many trophies and awards. They helped the NHL become the most popular Ice Hockey league.
From Richard to Crosby, the legacy of greatness continues today. They are role models for upcoming players.
The NHL would not have been as popular as today without their contribution. They will always be remembered as the greatest players of all time.
