NHL's Most Consistent Players: Jarome Iginla Gets 30 Goals 10 Straight Seasons

Playing against the Nashville Predators on Sunday night, Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla, scored his 30th goal of the season, for the 10th consecutive season.

Iginla became just the 10th player in NHL history to accomplish the feat, joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Marcel Dionne, Jaromir Jagr, Mike Gartner, Mike Bossy, Jari Kurri and Darryl Sittler.

What makes Iginla's feat even more impressive is that he's done it in today's game—where goaltending is at an all-time high and top defensive pairs are constantly matched against stars—on a team where he's usually had very little help.

Iginla is unquestionably one of the most consistent players in the game, but is he the most consistent?

Here are the 10 most consistent players in the NHL today, with a couple of minor rules.

1. The player must have played in the league for at least five seasons.

2. Injuries are a part of consistency, so players who are injury-prone but great when they play, aren't necessarily on the list.

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10. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

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OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 01: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins takes a bodycheck from Colin Greening #52 of the Ottawa Senators as he tries to carry the puck up ice in a game at Scotiabank Place on March 1, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip Mac

"Big Z" has had epic battles against most of the star forwards in the Eastern Conference, especially No. 10 Eric Staal.

Zdeno Chara has been in the Top 10 in the league for time on the ice each of the past five seasons, including leading the league in 2006-07.

Chara has put up somewhere between 39 and 51 points for eight consecutive seasons, and he's been a double-digit plus player every year in that stretch except one.

Chara also has a Norris Trophy in that stretch, which is unusual for a mainly defensive defenseman and is a testament to his consistency.

9. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 22: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against the Florida Panthers at Consol Energy Center on December 22, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

If Sidney Crosby hadn't twice missed long stretches from injuries he would be much higher on this list.

Crosby has four 100+ point seasons (tied for the most post-lockout) and has still managed 72 and 66 points in his injury shortened years.

Crosby has scored more than 30 goals five of six seasons and still has a great shot at topping 70 points if he comes back from his concussion in time to play a few games.

8. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks falls as he plays the puck in front of Alexei Ponikarovsky #27 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at the Staples Center on March 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Pho

Since the lockout, Henrik Sedin has played every single game for the Vancouver Canucks and has scored at least 75 points each season.

Henrik has consistently been amongst the league leaders in assists, including leading the league in assists and points last season.

Honorable mention goes to Henrik's twin brother Daniel, who has been almost as good, but has missed a bit of time from injury and has been just outscored by Henrik four out of six seasons.

7. Martin St Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning passes during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

The best small player in the league at just 5'8" has posted at least 80 points each of the last four seasons.

Martin St Louis has topped 90 points three times and has played all but two games in the last eight years.

With one more goal this year, the "pass-first" St Louis will have eight consecutive seasons of at least 25 goals.

6. Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 1: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks keeps the puck away from Jay McClement #16 of the Colorado Avalanche in the second period during an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on March 1, 2011 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thea

Before this season, Joe Thornton had seven straight 70+ point seasons and hadn't scored less than 60 since 1998-99.

Jumbo Joe won an Art Ross Trophy in 2005-06 and has been over a point per game every season post-lockout.

Thornton has struggled a bit this season but he's still on pace for his 11th straight 20 goal season, and 67 points overall.

Thornton also had nine straight plus-rating seasons before this year.

5. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 21: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a second period power play goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the NHL game at Consol Energy Center on February 21, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Alexander Ovechkin has four 100+ point seasons since the lockout and has been able to score almost at will before this season.

Ovechkin's totals have dipped this year and he's on pace for a career low 31 goals and 84 points, something most players would kill for as a career best.

Barring a major injury, Ovechkin will almost certainly join the 30–10 club four seasons from now.

4. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 18: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils begins to celebrate his goal as goalie Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks back towards the goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game at the Prudential Center on F

Don't look now but hugely disappointing Ilya Kovalchuk has 48 points including 22 in his last 18 games.

Kovalchuk appears to be back to being the dominant scorer he's been for so long.

Kovalchuk currently has six consecutive 40 goal seasons (including 50 twice) and still has an outside chance of extending that streak.

If Kovalchuk can score 16 goals in his last 17 games he'll extend the 40 goal streak. If not, he'll still almost certainly hit 30 goals for the eighth straight season.

Kovalchuk has also has at least 76 points in six straight times.

The most impressive thing about Kovalchuk's scoring is that most of it was done almost all by himself in Atlanta.

3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save on Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings at HSBC Arena on February 26, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Detroit won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Often considered the best all-around player in the league, our third straight Russian, Pavel Datsyuk, is one of the most consistent players in the game.

With Datsyuk, you know you're getting incredible two-way play, sublime skills and virtually no penalty minutes.

Since the lockout, Datsyuk has won four consecutive Lady Byng Trophies (Most Gentlemanly, 2006-09), three consecutive Selke Trophies (Best Defensive Forward, 2008-10) and been at least a plus-17 every season.

From 2006-09, Datysuk put up at least 87 points per season and was always amongst the league leaders in winning faceoffs.

2. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 02: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames celebrates a 3rd period goal by teammate Rene Bourque against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Flames 6-4. (Photo

Jarome Iginla has led the Calgary Flames in scoring for 10 straight seasons, by an average margin of over 14 points.

Iginla has scored over 30 goals 10 straight times, and scored 28 and 29 the last two seasons before the 30 goal streak began.

Iginla's trophy case includes two Rocket Richards, an Art Ross, a Lester B. Pearson, a King Clancy, two ESPY's for best NHL player, a Mark Messier Leadership award, a World Junior gold medal, a World Championship gold medal and two Olympic gold medals.

About the only thing missing from Iginla's illustrious resume is a Stanley Cup victory, and it could even be argued that he unofficially has that from this controversial non-goal.

Stanley Cup or not, Iginla's consistency is an incredible feat, especially considering he's never had a marquee center to play with.

1. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates after scoring a power play goal in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on February 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen

Was there really any doubt?

Detroit Red Wings' captain, Nicklas Lidstrom, is unquestionably the most consistent player in the league.

He's won three straight Norris Trophies twice (six total), four Stanley Cups and has been a first team NHL All Star nine out of twelve seasons since 1998.

Lidstrom has scored at least 49 points 14 of the last 15 seasons, and has played in 1,478 of 1,509 possible games over the course of his career.

He's also been a plus player (at least plus-7) in each of his 17 previous seasons, and with a minus-two rating currently, has a good chance to extend that streak.

Lidstrom has won a World Championship, an Olympic gold medal and a Conn Smythe Trophy.

Lidstrom is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer and is arguably the best defenseman ever who isn't named Bobby Orr.

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