15 Greatest Team Captains in NHL History

Today, the NHL has some magnificent captains, from the older generation of gentlemen like Nicklas Lidstrom to the young guns in Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews.

But something every captain shares in common is the respect they have earned from their peers.

Throughout the history of the NHL, captains have established themselves as great leaders and champions. What follows is a look at the 15 greatest players to ever to wear a "C" on their chest in the NHL.

I look forward to the discussion that follows.

15. Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils

While Stevens was their captain (between 1992-2004), the Devils won three Stanley Cups and he played in nine All-Star Games.

He won the Conn Smythe in 2000 and, most impressively, he never had a negative plus-minus as a defenseman in 22 seasons.

14. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Iginla has been the captain in Calgary since 2003, and has become the greatest player in Flames' history.

He's the franchise's all-time leader in goals and points, and has been one of the most respected captains in the league during his time in Calgary.

13. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators

Alfredsson has worn the "C" in Ottawa since 1999, and has almost twice as many points as any other player in Senators' history.

He received the respect, and attention, he finally deserved as the host captain for the 2012 All-Star Game, and is certainly a Hall of Famer whenever he decides to hang up his skates.

12. Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers

Clarke was the captain of the Broad Street Bullies from 1973-79 and again from 1982-84, wearing the "C" for two Stanley Cup championships in Philadelphia.

He might not have had the best relationship with another long-time Flyers' captain, Eric Lindros, but few people have represented the Flyers as well, or as long, as Clarke.

11. Denis Potvin, New York Islanders

Potvin had three Norris Trophies on his resume when he was given the "C" by the Islanders in 1979, but he didn't have the ultimate prize yet.

In his first four years as captain, the Islanders won the Stanley Cup every year.

He was a Hall of Fame defenseman who led one of the game's greatest teams to four championships in a row.

10. Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs

Sundin was the captain in Toronto from 1997-2008, and represented the Leafs incredibly well.

There aren't many markets in professional sports that are hard on their team like Toronto is on the Leafs. But, Sundin answered every question and took responsibility as well as any captain they've ever had in Toronto.

9. Pierre Pilote, Chicago Blackhawks

Pilote was the captain of the Blackhawks from 1961-68, during which he was one of the greatest defenseman of his generation.

He won three consecutive Norris Trophies while wearing the "C" in Chicago, and is still the longest-serving captain in Hawks history.

8. George Armstrong, Toronto Maple Leafs

Armstrong was the captain in Toronto from 1958-69, and wore the "C" through the last dynasty in Leafs history.

While he was the captain, the Leafs won three straight Stanley Cups and four in six seasons.

7. Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins

Bourque started as the Bruins' co-captain from 1985-88 before taking the "C" to himself from 1988-2000.

He was one of the best defenseman of his generation, and the Bruins trading him to Colorado was one of the most gut-wrenching moves in the last three decades.

Even though he wasn't serving as captain in Colorado, Joe Sakic immediately handed him the Stanley Cup when Bourque finally won a championship in 2001—a moment that made any hockey fan smile (and shed a tear or two).

6. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers & Los Angeles Kings

The Great One was the captain in Edmonton from 1983-88 and then Los Angeles from 1989-96, where he obviously put up enormous offensive numbers and changed the view of hockey on the west coast of the U.S.

The Oilers won four Stanley Cups with Gretzky as their captain, but he never won the Cup again as a captain.

5. Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings

Yzerman was the captain in Detroit from 1986-2006, and many consider him to be personally responsible for the renaissance in Hockeytown that left the "Dead Wings Era" in the rear view mirror.

He's now the general manager in Tampa, and is respected enough around the league that he'll run Hockey Canada's team building process for a second consecutive Olympics in 2014.

4. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins

Super Mario served as captain of the Penguins through some great years, and came back to wear the "C" when he wasn't battling cancer.

In total, he was captain in Pittsburgh from 1987-94, 1995-97 and 2001-06.

A case can be made that he was as dominant as any player in any generation in the history of the game. He was a champion, an MVP, and is now the owner who saved hockey in the Steel City.

His statue, unveiled this week, was well over due.

3. Joe Sakic, Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche

Sakic was first named the sole captain of the Nordiques in 1992-93, and served in that capacity with the organization through a move to Denver and until he retired in 2009.

He was one of the most gifted players of his generation, won championships, and is still respected around the league by players half his age.

2. Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers & Vancouver Canucks

Messier was the captain in Edmonton from 1988-91 and then twice with the Rangers, from 1991-97 and from 2000-04.

He put up huge numbers in his long, Hall of Fame career and made perhaps the most famous promise in NHL history, when he guaranteed the Rangers would win Game Six of the conference finals against the Devils.

Messier was also the Canucks' captain from 1997-2000.

There is now a leadership award given every year bearing his name.

1. Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens

Beliveau was the captain of the Habs from 1961-71, during which time Montreal won the Stanley Cup five times.

He is still one of the most respected gentlemen to ever put on skates, and is one of the all-time winners in NHL history.

As far as captains go, none have been better than Beliveau.