Ranking the 10 Most Influential Players in the NHL Ahead of 2014-15 Season

Many NHL players enjoy varying degrees of NHL stardom, but only a handful can be considered among the league's most influential. A variety of factors gives them prestige over their peers.

On-ice performance is merely one level of influence. Personality and leadership can also enhance their reputations. Some are franchise players, carrying the responsibility of ensuring their respective teams remain competitive and relevant. Several are international stars whose influence stretches beyond North America. Some provide inspiration for minorities.

Their contracts often set the benchmark for the rest of the league. Active involvement in the NHL Players Association, especially during labor disputes, increases their stature among their peers. Commercial endorsements not only improve the league's brand and popularity but also that of the players. 

Here's a look at the NHL's 10 most influential players entering this season. Feel free to comment on those you believe should also be on this list.

All salary information via CapGeek.com. Unless otherwise indicated all player news and information via NHL.com. 

10. John Tavares, New York Islanders

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John Tavares is the the face of the rebuilding New York Islanders. He's a genuine superstar, averaging nearly a point per game over the past three seasons. Since joining the Islanders he's netted 315 points in 350 career games. Without him, the Islanders would have little hope of digging out of the mediocrity that has plagued the franchise for over two decades.

In September 2011, Tavares' demonstrated his commitment to the Islanders by signing a six-year, $33 million deal. He was a finalist for the Hart Trophy for league MVP in 2013. At the start of last season he was named the Islanders' captain and was among the NHL's leading scorers (66 points in 59 games) when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in February at the Sochi Olympics.

During Tavares' tenure with the Islanders they've only made the playoffs once (2013). However, he remains invested in their future. At the end of last season, Newsday's Arthur Staple reported that Tavares denied rumors he wanted a trade, stating his belief that the Islanders can still accomplish some great things.

The Islanders move to Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season could improve Tavares' standing as an NHL superstar. Ultimately, the Islanders' long-term success depends upon how well management builds around their young captain.

9. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

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To understand Shea Weber's importance to the Nashville Predators, look no further than their matching a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in July 2012. NHL.com called it the most important transaction in franchise history, with the decision made by team ownership, the hockey operations department and business operations. The Predators couldn't afford to lose their franchise player.

Predators GM David Poile continues to squash rumors suggesting Weber will be traded. In June, NHL.com's Dan Rosen reported that Poile claims he's building the Predators around Weber. In a recent poll conducted by NBC Sports, Weber was voted the greatest player in Predators history. 

That the Flyers pitched such an expensive offer for Weber reflects the high regard and respect he garners around the league. He's been a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the league's top defenseman three times, named to the First All-Star Team twice (2011, 2012) and the Second All-Star Team in 2014. 

At the end of the 2012-13 NHL lockout, The Globe and Mail's David Shoalts cited Weber's contract as an example of the owners' goal to target heavily front-loaded deals used to circumvent the salary cap. Though the annual cap hit is over $7.8 million, Weber will earn the highest salary this season ($14 million). His contract remains the longest active deal with the second-highest total salary.

8. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

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Zach Parise is among the NHL's most respected players and its most influential active American player. Having established himself among the game's best left wings with the New Jersey Devils, he signed a 13-year, $98 million contract in July 2012 with the Minnesota Wild, making him among the NHL's highest-paid players in total salary. 

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo claimed it was Parise's discussions with his friend Ryan Suter that led to the pair signing identical contracts with the Wild. Those moves significantly improved the club's fortunes. They've become playoff contenders and made Minnesota an attractive trade and free-agent destination. The Wild acquired winger Jason Pominville in 2013 and signed sniper Thomas Vanek this summer.

Parise has also become a mentor for the Wild's young players. Last season, the Pioneer Press' Chad Graff reported that Wild forward Jason Zucker called Parise a good role model for himself and everyone in the Wild dressing room. 

Forbes claims that Parise's move from New Jersey to Minnesota boosted his endorsement portfolio. His jersey ranked among the league's top sellers last season. Parise also represented his country at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He was named captain of the 2014 USA men's Olympic team. 

7. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

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In less than four NHL seasons, P.K. Subban has blossomed into one of the NHL's top defensemen, winning the Norris Trophy in 2013. He's also one of the league's few buoyant personalities. The National Post's Joe O'Connor noted how Subban is a welcome change of pace in a league whose biggest stars tend to be conservative in attitude.

Subban's outspoken, confident manner has made him the target of criticism around the league, but along with goaltender Carey Price, Subban is one of the Canadiens' top stars. His performance backs up his brashness. In May, The Globe and Mail's Sean Gordon called Subban the most electrifying player of the 2014 NHL playoffs when he led the Canadiens into the Eastern Conference Final.

As one of hockey's few black players, Subban has at times faced racism. When Subban was targeted by racist tweets during the Canadiens' second-round series with the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Sun's Chris Stevenson praised the blueliner for his maturity in dealing with the situation.

In 2013, Subban and his family made CBC's list of that year's most influential figures in Canadian sports. Among the reasons was that the Subbans are “a black family in North America's whitest major sport,” representing a future the league and Canadian hockey officials hope to see more of. Another is the family's foundation, which offers help for families who cannot afford to put their children into hockey. 

Subban recently signed an eight-year, $72 million contract with the Canadiens. His $9 million average cap hit is now the highest for all NHL defensemen. 

6. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Henrik Lundqvist is the Rangers' franchise player and among the top goaltenders in the world. Nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three NHL seasons, he finally won in 2012. He's won 30 or more games in eight of his nine NHL seasons, while over the past five seasons his save percentage never went below .920.

In the biggest sports market in the world, "King Henrik" is among the few notable NHL standouts. Last season Lundqvist's jersey was the seventh-highest seller among NHL stars. In August 2013, Esquire's Nic Screws interviewed Lundqvist, noting he's considered a fashion influence on his teammates and for the league in general.

Lundqvist is also a superstar in his native Sweden, backstopping their Men's Olympic hockey team to a gold medal in 2006 and silver in 2014. He also carried the underdog Rangers to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.

In November 2013, the Rangers re-signed Lundqvist to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract. His $8.5 million cap hit leads all NHL goaltenders, while his contract makes him the second-highest paid in total salary.

Lundqvist is also involved in Madison Square Garden's “Garden of Dreams” foundation to aid children facing obstacles in life. His efforts earned him the 2012 Garden of Dreams hero award. He's also launched his own clothing line with the proceeds going to charity. He was also part of “Operation Hat Trick,” a charity game to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy.

5. Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche

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Over the course of Jarome Iginla's 17-year NHL career he's become one of the league's most respected and honored stars. He's a two-time winner of the Richard Trophy for the league's top scorer, was the 2002 Art Ross Trophy winner for the league's leading points scorer and in 2009 won the Mark Messier Leadership Award. He also won the 2002 Pearson Award for the NHL's MVP as voted by the players.

He's also a role model for black children who aspire to play in the NHL. Iginla acknowledged his role in a 2005 interview with The Hockey News' Mike Brophy (via ESPN.com), saying he was proud to be a black NHL player. He also stated he wanted all children to disregard race and follow their dreams.

Iginla was among the first black players to become an NHL captain and for over a decade was the Calgary Flames' captain until dealt to Pittsburgh in March 2013. He also had a positive impact last season with the Boston Bruins. ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald reported that Bruins stars Milan Lucic and David Krejci as well as coach Claude Julien praised Iginla's contributions on and off the ice.

When the Colorado Avalanche signed Iginla this summer, CBS Denver noted that executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic cited the 37-year-old's shot and leadership as reasons for adding him to the Avalanche roster.

Following Iginla's trade to Pittsburgh in March 2013, The Calgary Herald's Sherri Zickefoose reported that local charities would continue to benefit from his good deeds. Among them is the non-profit Kidsport Canada, to which Iginla has donated $2,000 for each goal he's scored since 2000. As of 2013, that added up to over $700,000. Iginla also operates a hockey school in Calgary, with the proceeds going to various charities.

4. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Since his sophomore season of 2009-10, Steven Stamkos has become one of the NHL's top snipers. He's twice won the Richard Trophy (2010, 2012) for the league's top goal scorer and led the Lightning in points in both seasons.

With longtime Lightning stars Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis now departed, Stamkos is now the franchise player. He became its captain in March 2014 following St. Louis' trade to the New York Rangers.

As the Lightning attempt to rebuild and maintain the momentum of last season's 101-point campaign, they'll rely heavily on Stamkos for on-ice success and off-ice marketing. He will carry the burden of leading them back to Stanley Cup contention as well as ensuring the Lightning remain relevant in the Tampa sports market.

Last season, Forbes indicated Stamkos earned $1.7 million in endorsements through Nike, Bauer and Coca-Cola. That puts him third behind only Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin. In 2013-14, Stamkos' jersey was among the NHL's top sellers.

Stamkos's current contract ($7.5 million annual cap hit) expires in 2016, when he'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency. As one of the NHL's top stars, Stamkos' next contract could make him the league's highest-paid player. 

3. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin remains among the NHL's most dynamic scorers. He's a four-time winner of the Richard Trophy for the league's top goal scorer (his latest in 2014) and a three-time winner of the Hart Trophy for league MVP. 

Ovechkin has led the Capitals in scoring in each season since his NHL debut in 2005-06. HockeyDB.com indidates the Capitals' attendance has improved since he joined the club. In a recent poll by NBC Sports, Ovechkin was voted the greatest player in Capitals history. 

The 28-year-old is also Russia's top hockey star. He was the first Russian to carry the Olympic Torch during its relay from Greece to Russia for the 2014 Sochi Games. The Globe and Mail's Eric Duhatschek claimed that Ovechkin became the face of the Games leading up to the men's hockey tournament. Ovechkin also led Russia to three gold medals (2008, 2012 and 2014) at the World Championships.

In November 2013, Forbes reported Ovechkin earned $3.5 million in endorsements, second behind Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin jerseys were the fourth-most popular last season. Since 2008-09, his average annual salary (over $9.538 million) was the league's highest.

Since winning the President's Trophy in 2010 for the NHL's top regular-season team, the Capitals have gone into decline, missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006-07. As the Capitals' franchise player, Ovechkin bore the brunt of the criticism. His efforts under new coach Barry Trotz will have a significant effect upon the Capitals' performance this season.

2. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

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Since joining the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007-08, Jonathan Toews had led them to two championships and four Western Conference Finals. In 2008-09, he became one of the youngest captains in NHL history. In 2010 he won the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP and in 2013 took home the Selke Trophy for the top defensive forward.

He has also become among the most respected captains in the league. Last year, TSN reported when Canada's men's Olympic hockey team intended to name Sidney Crosby as their captain, Crosby ensured Toews approved of the decision. Sportsnet's Mark Spector noted that several NHL scouts believe Toews, because of his championship pedigree, may be slightly ahead of Crosby in terms of leadership and all-around play.

In July 2014, Toews and teammate Patrick Kane signed identical eight-year, $84 million contracts which take effect in 2015-16. At an annual average salary of $10.5 million, the pair will have the highest yearly cap hit in the league, surpassing Washington's Alex Ovechkin.

In January 2014, ChicagoBusiness.com's Danny Ecker noted Toews made Forbes' “30 under 30” list for the sports industry. Ecker reported Toews has endorsement deals with Bauer Hockey, Chevrolet, Lemonhead and Canadian Tire. Toews' Blackhawks jersey was the third-most popular in NHL sales last season.

1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby remains the NHL's most recognizable star and its most influential player. Coming off his first healthy season since 2009-10, the 27-year-old center won the Hart Trophy for NHL MVP, the Lindsay Trophy (MVP as voted by the players) and the Art Ross trophy for the NHL scoring champion.

Since joining the Penguins as the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft, Crosby became the foundation upon which a Stanley Cup champion was built in 2009. He also makes the Penguins an attractive destination for other players. In March 2013, CBC.ca's Rod Perry reported that Jarome Iginla cited playing with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as significant factors in his decision to accept a trade to the Penguins. 

In 2011, CBC named Crosby its most influential Canadian athlete, noting his struggle to overcome concussion injuries which set hockey on the path toward addressing head injuries. Last summer, the London Free Press' Morris Dalla Costa (via Toronto Sun) applauded Crosby for speaking out against Russia's laws prohibiting gay athletes from participating in the Sochi Olympics.

Crosby was among several notable NHL stars who took an active role in labor talks during the NHL lockout of 2012-13. In December 2012, The Canadian Press (via CBC.ca) reported Crosby emerged “as a voice of reason” during negotiations.

Because of his high profile, Crosby also rakes in considerable endorsement money. In November 2013, Forbes listed his off-ice earnings at $4.5 million, leading all NHL players in that category. He remains the league's most marketable player. In 2014, Crosby jerseys were the NHL's top sellers.