The best NHL players of all time are undoubtably the most talented and most decorated hockey players ever to take the ice in the National Hockey League. These NHL greats hold countless spots in the NHL record books, a fan favorites and if they haven't already been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, they surely will be when they are eligible. Plain and simple, these are hockey gods.
Easily earning the title as "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky is arguably among the very elite hockey players ever. Holding NHL records for everything from lifetime goals to the most goals in a season to the most career assists, points and even short-handed goals, there was little Gretzky didn't dominate during his 20 seasons in the National Hockey League.
While Gretzky is "The Great One," he's far from the only great one. Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe, is right up there with Gretzky with an impressive hockey career that lasted until he was 52 years of age. Along with other NHL legends like Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Mark Messier and Maurice Richard, these hockey greats dominated the league during their time.
Many will follow in the footsteps, or skate strides, of these all-time best NHL players but few will ever reach the level of greatness that these talented men have. Who is your all-time favorite NHL star? How would you rank these top NHL players of all time? Tell us by voting for your favorites below, adding any that are missed or even re-ranking this list of the best NHL players of all time below. Looking for more detailed rankings by position? Check out the best NHL defensemen of all time and the best hockey goaltenders of all time rankings too!
1
8,1222,304Wayne Gretzky
Centerman2
5,6712,825Mario Lemieux
Centerman3
5,4782,774Bobby Orr
Defenseman4
4,8632,459Gordie Howe
Right wing5
4,0001,593Jaromír Jágr
Right wing6
4,2701,994Sidney Crosby
Centerman7
2,8341,039Steve Yzerman
Centerman8
2,3641,202Guy Lafleur
Right wing9
2,5781,273Mark Messier
Centerman10
3,2231,575Alexander Ovechkin
Left Wing11
2,6521,311Patrick Roy
Goaltender12
2,8411,737Maurice Richard
Right wing13
2,2831,365Jean Béliveau
Centerman14
1,88870015
1,646661Teemu Selänne
Right wing16
1,100558Jacques Plante
Goaltender17
2,8961,785Nicklas Lidström
Defenseman18
2,6301,557Martin Brodeur
Goaltender19
1,298430Brett Hull
Right wing20
1,567940Terry Sawchuk
Goaltender21
1,049527Larry Robinson
Defenseman22
1,24573123
1,7081,039Paul Coffey
Defenseman24
1,9921,28225
731215Ken Dryden
Goaltender