The Single Greatest Player in the History of Each NHL Franchise

The NHL has showcased tons of elite talent throughout the league's illustrious history, and each team has at least one player who is singled out as the team's all-time greatest player.

These iconic players have accomplished great things for their team, and they deserve to be singled out for their efforts.

The lockout may be depriving fans of live hockey, but lets look back on the single greatest players in the history of each NHL franchise.

Anaheim Ducks: Teemu Selanne

Teemu Selanne is the greatest player in the history of the Anaheim Ducks, and he is one of the greatest players ever to skate in the NHL.

Up to this point in his career, Selanne has tallied 663 goals and 743 assists for 1,406 points, and he has a good shot at hitting the 700-goal mark before his career is over.

Selanne holds team records for games, goals, assists and points, and the Finnish Flash will likely hold all these records for a very long time.

Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr is the greatest player to ever suit up for the Boston Bruins, and he accomplished a lot during his short NHL career. His achievements are well known but his 1969-70 season is what he is most known for.

During that season, Orr captured Norris Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Conn Smythe Trophy along with a Stanley Cup Championship.

Orr is widely considered to be the greatest defenseman in league history, and he is definitely the greatest Bruin of all-time.

Buffalo Sabres: Gilbert Perreault

Gilbert Perreault is the most iconic Buffalo Sabres' player in the history of the NHL. Perreault owns a majority of the Sabres' team records which includes goals (512), assists (814), points (1,326) and games (1,191).

Perreault was the most famous member of the storied "French Connection" line, and he is truly Mr. Sabre.

Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla is a player who has represented the Calgary Flames for 15 seasons. Iginla is a player who has been one of the league's best power forwards, and he owns many team records for Calgary.

In his career to date, Iginla has scored 516 goals and 557 assists for 1,073 points. Once Iginla retires, he will have certainly have his number 12 retired, as the greatest player in Calgary Flames history.

Carolina Hurricanes: Ron Francis

Ron Francis is a Hall of Famer who spent 16 seasons with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes. During his career with the franchise, Francis scored 382 goals, 793 assists and 1,186 points. 

After Francis retired, his number 10 was raised to the rafters of the PNC Arena, and it symbolizes the greatness of Francis and what he meant to the Carolina franchise.

Chicago Blackhawks: Stan Mikita

The Chicago Blackhawks have had many great players suit up for the franchise, but Mikita stands out among the rest.

Mikita is one of the greatest European-born centers in the history of the NHL, and he put up amazing numbers for Chicago.

Mikita had an explosive career in which he scored 541 goals and added 926 assists for a grand total of 1,467 points.

The Blackhawks' career pivot also won a Stanley Cup with the team in 1961, was a two-time Hart Trophy winner, a three-time Art Ross winner and a nine-time All-Star.

Colorado Avalanche: Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic was a generational player who transcended the game. 

He was one of the greatest leaders and captains in league history, he possessed one of the league’s most feared wrist shots and he was a subtle and effective playmaker.

During his 21-season career, Sakic was a 13-time All-Star, a Lady Byng Trophy winner in 2001,a  Hart Trophy winner in 2001 as the league MVP, a Lester B. Pearson Award winner in 2001 as the best player as voted by the NHL players, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1996 as the playoff MVP.

Sakic ended his career with 625 goals and 1016 assists for a total of 1,641 points in 1,378 games. 

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash

The Columbus Blue Jackets have only been in the NHL since 2000, and Rick Nash is the greatest player in the history of the club. Nash owns team records for goals (289), assists (258) and points with 547.

Nash was traded to the New York Rangers over the summer, so his records will eventually be broken.

Dallas Stars: Mike Modano

Mike Modano is Mr. Dallas Stars, and he is a player who is iconic in Dallas. He was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars, and he shined for the franchise right off the bat. When the team eventually moved to Dallas, Modano really took of and was the team's top Star.

The crowning moment for Modano was in 1999 when the Stars won the Stanley Cup against the Buffalo Sabres in a thrilling series.

He had 23 points for the team during that playoff run, and he almost led the team to a second Stanley Cup title in the following season, but the Stars fell to the New Jersey Devils in overtime.

When Modano's career ended, he retired as the team leader in career goals (557), assists (802) and points with 1,359.

Modano is a player who is a future Hall of Famer, and he was one of the greatest players in NHL history.

Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe

With a nickname like Mr.Hockey, it is hard to go against Gordie Howe as the greatest Detroit Red Wing of all-time.

Players like Nicklas Lidstrom and Steve Yzerman would certainly enter the discussion, but what Howe did for hockey, and the Red Wings was unprecedented.

He spent 25 seasons with the team and he scored 786 goals and recorded 1,023 assists for 1,809 points.

Howe's accolades in terms of hardware include his status as a four-time Stanley Cup champion, a six-time Hart Trophy winner, a six-time Art Ross winner and a 23-time All-Star.

Howe's number nine hangs in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena, and he is one of the greatest right wingers in the history of the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers: Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player in the history of the NHL, and the bulk of his success came in Edmonton.

During his time in Edmonton, Gretzky won countless awards, four Stanley Cups and he registered 1,669 points.

Gretzky's 583 goals and 1,086 assists also still stand as a franchise record for the Oilers.

Florida Panthers: Pavel Bure

Pavel Bure was an electrifying player for the Florida Panthers. Bure posted back-to-back 50 goal and 90-point plus seasons with the team before he was traded to New York.

He may have only spent a short amount of time with the team, but Bure was the greatest player ever to suit up for the Panthers.

Los Angeles Kings: Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne is one of the greatest players in NHL history, and he is arguably the greatest player ever to suit up for the Los Angeles Kings.

Dionne has a lengthy career, and he scored 550 goals and added 757 assists for a total of 1,307 points. 

The Hall of Famer certainly left his mak on the franchise, and his number 16 hangs in the rafters at the Staples Center in L.A.

Minnesota Wild: Marian Gaborik

Marian Gaborik is the greatest player in the brief history of the Minnesota Wild, and his 219 goals and 218 assists for 437 points still stand as the most in franchise history.

With Zach Parise set to play for the Minnesota Wild for the next decade, he will likely demolish this records in a matter or no time.

Montreal Canadiens: Maurice Richard

Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur are certainly amazing players, but Maurice Richard did some amazing things during a brief amount of time for the Montreal Canadiens.

Richard was an enigmatic goal scorer, a flashy skater and an amazing all-around player. During his career, Richard scored 544 goals, he added 421 assists for 965 points in 978 games.

His legacy on the league is undisputed, and the Rocket Richard Trophy is handed out each season to the NHL's top goal scorer in his honor, and memory.

Nashville Predators: Shea Weber

To date, Shea Weber is the greatest player ever to suit up for the Nashville Predators. He is in a crushing defender who has a howitzer of a shot, and he is going to be the face of the Predators for the near future.

Weber is one of the NHL's elite defenders, and he could have an amazing career with the Predators.

New Jersey Devils: Martin Brodeur

Martin Brodeur is an iconic goaltender who is recognized as the greatest New Jersey Devil, along with being one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.

Brodeur holds or will hold many of the NHL's major goaltending records by the time he retires, and it is amazing that he has been so dominant for so long with the Devils.

New York Islanders: Mike Bossy

Mike Bossy had an amazing career even though he was forced to retire because of injuries at age 32. Bossy is the greatest New York Islander of all-time because of his talent and leadership for the Islanders.

During his career, Bossy scored 573 goals and added 553 assists for 1,126 points. His role in the Islanders Stanley Cup dominance in the early 1980s will never be forgotten, and Bossy will always be a favorite amongst the fans.

New York Rangers: Brian Leetch

Mark Messier said it himself, " Brian Leetch is the greatest Ranger of all-time", and it is hard to disagree with "the Captain".

Leetch is considered to be one of the greatest American-born defenders of all-time, and he certainly was the greatest Ranger of all-time.

Leetch was a dynamic offensive-defenseman who made history with the New York Rangers. He set a franchise record for scoring by a defenseman in the 1991-92 season, when he recorded 22 goals and 80 assists for 102 points.

He also made NHL history in 1994 when he became the first American to win the Conn Smythe Trophy that capped of an amazing season for the Rangers.

Leetch holds the team records in goals (240), assists (741) and points (981) by a defenseman,

Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson

Daniel Alfredsson is one of the classiest players and leaders in NHL history, and he also happens to be Ottawa Senators' greatest player.

"Allfie" has had a great career up to this point, and his accolades include 416 goals and 666 assists for 1,082 points in 1,131 games.

Alfredsson will likely be a a life-long Senator, and his number 11 will hand in the rafters very soon.

Philadelphia Flyers: Bernie Parent

Bobby Clarke is obviously an iconic Philadelphia Flyer, but what Bernie Parent accomplished in a short amount of time gives him an edge. Consider that Parent was a goaltender on the top of his game, but injuries forced him into an early retirement.

During the two years the Broad Street Bullies won back-to-back Stanley Cups, Parent was the best goaltender in the NHL.

Parent won back-to-back Stanley Cups, Conn Smyhe Trophies and Vezina Trophies on top of securing two consecutive First-team All-Star selections.

When he retired at age 34, Parent had 271 career wins, 55 shutouts and a G.A.A. of 2.55, and it isn't hard to believe that he wouldn't have continued to build on that success.

Nonetheless, Parent is a Hall of Fame goaltender, and one of the greatest goaltenders in league history.

Phoenix Coyotes: Dale Hawerchuk

In the combined lineage of the Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes, Dale Hawerchuk stands out as the greatest player in franchise history.

Hawerchuk was an amazing forward who put up franchise best numbers during his time with the team. During his career, Hawerchuk scored 379 goals and 550 assists for 929 points in only 713 games.

These numbers will likely stand for along time with active leader Shane Doan still trailing in points, and being near the end of his career.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Mario Lemieux

"If" is a word that is often used to describe how Mario Lemieux's career.

Lemieux was one of the greatest players of all-time, but if he was healthy, he could have been the greatest player in league history.

When you look at Lemieux's career and realize he scored 690 goals and recorded 1,033 assists for 1,723 points in only 915 games, it is not hard to realize that he could have given Wayne Gretzky a run for his money.

Lemieux was über-talented, and it is a true shame that his career was as short as it was. However, it doesn't change the fact that Lemieux is a Hall of Fame forward who won two Stanley Cups and countless awards during his NHL career.

St.Louis Blues: Brett Hull

Brett Hull may not be the St.Louis Blues' franchise leading scorer, but he does own the franchise record for points-per-game and goals.

Throughout the 744 games Hull played in St.Louis, he scored 527 goals and he added 409 assists for 936 points. 

That averages out to a point-per-game average of 1.26. Hull was a truly amazing player who excelled in all aspects of his game, and for that reason he is the greatest player in the history of the St.Louis Blues.

San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton

In 545 games with the San Jose Sharks, Joe Thornton has been very impressive.

His 155 goals and 469 assists for 624 points put him in second place for total scoring in San Jose Sharks history. Patrick Marleau has 830 points but he has played in 1,117 games to date.

Thornton is criticized for his failure to deliver a Stanley Cup to San Jose, but he has been a great player in such a short time for the Sharks.

Tampa Bay Lightning; Martin St.Louis

Martin St.Louis is second in franchise scoring with the Tampa Bay Lightning even though he has played in 136 less games than the franchise leader Vincent Lecavalier.

St.Louis has 832 points to Lecavalier's 842 points, and that is a true testament to his skill and determination.

St.Louis is arguably one of the greatest "small-forwards" in the history of the NHL, and he should be able to his the 1,000 point club before retiring. 

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mats Sundin

Mats Sundin was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and he is a player who was one of the greatest players in Maple Leaf history.

Sundin was a prolific scorer and playmaker throughout his career, and that is indicative of 420 goals and 567 assists for 987 total points with Toronto. 

Sundin was also known to be a leader during his time with the Quebec Nordiques and the Toronto Maple Leafs and he was one of the league’s most respected players. He was a nine-time All-Star and simply one of the most well rounded players of his era

Vancouver Canucks: Markus Naslund

Markus Naslund is the greatest forward currently in Vancouver Canucks' history, and he is a player who was a great leader for the Vancouver Canucks.

Throughout his career, Naslund played primarily for the Canucks , and he retired with 395 goals and 869 points in 1,117 games, 756 of which came with Vancouver.

Naslund's iconic No.19 was retired by the Vancouver Canucks, and it was a fitting honor for a great player.

Washington Capitals: Mike Gartner

Mike Gartner was one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the NHL, and he is tied with Jaromir Jagr for  the NHL record of most consecutive 30 goal-seasons with 15.

During his time in Washington, Gartner scored 397 goals he added 392 assists for 789 points in 758 games. He was a dominant player who probably would have set franchise marks if he had more time in Washington.

Gartner is also one of the greatest player to never win a Stanley Cup as he was traded from the New York Rangers during their Stanley Cup winning season in 1993-94.

Winnipeg Jets: Ilya Kovalchuk

In the combined lineage of the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets, Ilya Kovalchuk is the greatest player in franchise history.

In 594 career games, Kovalchuk lit the lamp 328 times and he assisted on 287 others for 615 total points. He was truly a dynamic player, and one that is still considered to be one of the best in the game today.