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
Wayne Gretzky
Centerman2
Mario Lemieux
Centerman3
Gordie Howe
Right wing4
Bobby Orr
Defenseman5
Guy Lafleur
Right wing6
Mark Messier
Centerman7
Jaromír Jágr
Right wing8
Steve Yzerman
Centerman9
Sidney Crosby
Centerman10
Patrick Roy
Goaltender11
Teemu Selänne
Right wing12
13
Alexander Ovechkin
Left Wing14
Maurice Richard
Right wing15
Jean Béliveau
Centerman16
Jacques Plante
Goaltender17
Nicklas Lidström
Defenseman18
Larry Robinson
Defenseman19
20
Terry Sawchuk
Goaltender21
Brett Hull
Right wing22
Martin Brodeur
Goaltender23
Mats Sundin
Centerman24
Paul Coffey
Defenseman25
Ken Dryden
Goaltender