NHL Power Rankings: The 10 Best Quiet Leaders Currently in the NHL

One of the more underrated qualities needed in any sport is the ability to lead a team. Nowhere is this more apparent, perhaps, than the NHL. Most of the iconic teams in NHL history also had an iconic leader at the forefront.

While there are plenty of vocal leaders who inspire their teams through words, there are also plenty of players who lead in a much different way. The NHL’s quiet leaders may not be as noticeable, but they certainly aren’t any less important.

A quiet leader tends to let their actions on the ice do the talking. In other words, a quiet leader leads by example rather than by getting into his teammates’ faces. In many ways, a good quiet leader can light a fire under his team just as easily as a vocal one.

It’s no coincidence that many of the league’s top teams have a quiet leader running the show. Due to the effectiveness of quiet leaders, it’s quite possible that the days of fiery, in-your-face leaders are over. Here are the NHL’s current top 10 quiet leaders.

Brian Gionta, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens winger Brian Gionta may not be one for giving inspiring speeches, but it’s easy to see why his teammates are willing to follow the example he sets. Listed at a generous 5’7”, Gionta is one of the smaller players in the league.

Despite his size disadvantage, Gionta has excelled and become a quality player over the course of his career. Gionta has carried a chip on his shoulder since entering the league in 2001, and he has certainly used it to become one of the premier “little guys” in the NHL.

Gionta isn’t just an inspiration to his teammates just for becoming an NHL regular, though. Gionta has made the most of his opportunities and become a legitimate offensive threat. He has netted at least 20 goals in seven straight seasons, including 48 in 2005-06.

It also isn’t often that an American player is so quickly embraced by Montreal’s fan base, but he has been accepted with open arms as the team’s captain. With back-to-back seasons of at least 28 goals for the Habs, it looks as though Gionta can excel as Montreal’s quiet leader for many years to come.

Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

As one of only a few current players who played for the original Winnipeg Jets franchise, Teemu Selanne has certainly seen it all in the NHL. Although Selanne is said to be mulling retirement, his presence with the Anaheim Ducks is so important that it’s difficult to imagine him leaving after an 80-point season.

The Finnish Flash has long been a fixture in Anaheim, although he did take a hiatus to play briefly for the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. Selanne clearly has a very laid-back demeanor, but the manner in which he carries himself is so professional that his teammates can’t help but be impressed.

At 41 years of age, most hockey players are enjoying the good life as a retiree. Selanne, however, is still piling up goals at a good rate. It stands to reason that many of his younger teammates are in awe, hoping that they can have a career half as fruitful as his.

For a player who seemed to be a bit immature in his younger years as evidenced by his demonstrative goal celebrations, Selanne has become a consummate professional. If and when he retires the Ducks will certainly miss him, not only for his scoring prowess, but for his quiet leadership as well.

Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers

As a 26-year-old winger who has played just four full NHL seasons, Ryan Callahan may not fit the traditional prototype of a leader. With that said, a casual NHL observer need only watch him for one game to realize how much of an on-ice leader he is.

The departure of Chris Drury means that the New York Rangers captain spot is currently vacant. It is blatantly obvious that nobody is more equipped to handle the job than Callahan. While Callahan is on the small side and not the most dynamic offensive player, he makes his presence known each and every game.

Callahan has been among the league leaders in hits over the past couple seasons, finishing third in the category during the 2009-10 season and 15th last season despite missing 22 games due to injury. Most players his size don’t throw their weight around, but Callahan has no reservations about putting his body on the line.

There is no question that Callahan is exactly the type of player that every championship-caliber team needs. While the Rangers may not be a Cup contender at the moment, Callahan will surely do everything in his power to win come playoff time. That is the hallmark of a great leader.

Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

Many times a team chooses their best overall player to be their captain. That is the case with the Minnesota Wild and center Mikko Koivu. While Koivu may not be a rah-rah guy in the locker room, he lets his on-ice performance do the talking.

Although the Wild seem to be on the road toward improvement thanks to a solid offseason, there is little doubt that they have been among the least talented teams in the NHL over the past couple seasons. With that in mind, Koivu was tabbed to lead the younger Wild players by example.

One quality that many leaders possess is selflessness. With three consecutive seasons of 45 or more assists, Koivu clearly embodies that trait. Rather than seeking glory, Koivu would rather put his teammates in a position to succeed and use his skills to make them better players.

When you take into account the fact that the Wild have struggled and failed to make the playoffs for quite some time, it’s easy to understand why many fans know little about Koivu as a player, let alone a leader. Provided Minnesota’s new additions like Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley become solid contributors, Koivu may finally get to showcase his skills on the big stage in the near future.

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators may have essentially sold off most of the remnants of their 2006-07 Stanley Cup Finals team at the trade deadline last season, but one constant remains: Daniel Alfredsson. While Alfredsson appears to be on the decline as a player, his on-ice presence is still invaluable for Ottawa’s youngsters.

Prior to last season Alfredsson posted 10 straight seasons with at least 20 goals and nine straight seasons with at least 70 points. Alfredsson has been a model of consistency during his time as an NHL player, and although he isn’t a vocal leader, his consistency sets a great example for his teammates.

It’s clear that a youth movement is currently in effect in Ottawa, but because of Alfredsson’s status in the organization, the Sens are likely to keep him around for as long as he’d like to play. While the Senators may be a few years away from returning to their past glory, Alfredsson will be integral in teaching the younger players about what it takes to win.

Unfortunately for Alfredsson he may never again get to experience playoff hockey, but he seems to be the type of player who is equally happy to pass in knowledge onto the next generation of Senators. That mentality is the mark of a true leader.

Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins

While some players are just naturally gifted, others have to work harder than everyone else in order to make an impact. Although Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is certainly a gifted hockey player, his will to succeed and penchant for coming up big in important moments are what set him apart from his opposition.

Bergeron seemed to be on the path to stardom after back-to-back 70-point campaigns during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. His 2007-08 season was derailed by a severe concussion, however, forcing him to miss all but 10 games during the season.

With his future in doubt, Bergeron returned and while he may not have been as dynamic of an offensive player as he was previously, he soon developed into an elite pesky, defensive center. He received the ultimate compliment when his style of play was recognized by Team Canada as he was a part of their gold medal-winning performance in Vancouver in 2010.

Bergeron cemented himself as an on-ice leader during this past season’s playoffs. In 23 postseason games, Bergeron tallied 20 points en route to Boston’s Stanley Cup triumph over the Vancouver Canucks. Bergeron has faced plenty of adversity during his young career, but it has certainly helped mold him into a fantastic leader.

Saku Koivu, Anaheim Ducks

Like his younger brother Mikko, Saku Koivu has been unheralded as a player and a leader over the course of his NHL career. At 36 years of age Saku’s career may be winding down, but he has continued to be a solid on-ice contributor for the Anaheim Ducks over the past couple seasons.

Koivu may not be Anaheim’s captain in title, but there is little doubt that he is the team’s spiritual leader. Koivu successfully captained the Montreal Canadiens for many years. Considering how demanding the Montreal fan base can be, it’s certainly impressive to note that Koivu was absolutely beloved during his time as a Canadien.

As a Hab in 2001, Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Koivu was expected to miss the entire season, but he beat the odds and returned for the season’s final three games as well as Montreal’s playoff push. As a cancer survivor, Koivu certainly has no problem clearing every obstacle thrown at him on the ice.

Surely every player on the Anaheim Ducks is aware of what Koivu went through, so his mere presence is likely an inspiration. In addition to that, however, Koivu is often the hardest-working player on the ice, and he certainly exemplifies what a true leader is.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Handing the responsibility of team captain to young superstars is a growing trend in today’s NHL. It started with Vincent Lecavalier in Tampa Bay and has continued with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Another name that can be added to that list is that of Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

Toews may not have necessarily been ready to handle the role of the team’s main leader when he was named captain a couple seasons ago, but he was expected to grow into a leadership role, and he has done just that. As with all of the players on this list, Toews isn’t the most talkative guy, but his on-ice performance speaks for itself.

As a big-bodied center, Toews is capable of putting the team on his back and carrying it to victory in any given game. He has two 30-goal seasons over his four-year career and has put up at least 68 points in each of the past three seasons. Toews’ true value, however, is never more apparent than playoff time.

Toews was the best player on hockey’s best team in 2009-10 as he totaled an impressive 29 points in 22 games as the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and he was awarded the Conn Smythe Award. Toews was also among Team Canada’s best players earlier that season and was a huge part of their gold medal victory. While Toews is already a great leader, he has the potential to grow into an all-time great.

Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

Henrik Sedin may be the Vancouver Canucks captain in name, but there is little question that Ryan Kesler is the team’s true leader. Over the past few seasons Kesler has gone from a solid two-way center to perhaps the league’s all-around best two-way center and an elite offensive player to boot.

Kesler has racked up at least 73 points in each of the past two seasons and he registered his first 40-goal campaign this past season as well. Kesler’s presence was felt most during the postseason as he was a huge reason for Vancouver’s status as Stanley Cup runner-up. He chipped in 19 points in 25 games, and while the Canucks fell just short, they likely wouldn’t have gotten that far without Kesler.

Kesler is one of many players on this list who truly made a name for themselves at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. In a group-stage game against Canada, with the United States clinging to a one-goal lead, Kesler scored perhaps the most spectacular empty-net goal anyone will ever see. With the puck looking as if it was about to go all the way down the ice for an icing, Kesler raced down, dove and swept the puck into the net, preserving the USA’s victory.

Ordinary players simply don’t make that type of play, but Kesler is undoubtedly extraordinary. If the Canucks do hoist the Stanley Cup one day, Kesler will likely be the biggest reason why.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

It wasn’t long ago that it was thought that European players couldn’t be effective NHL captains. There are now a number of European captains in the league, however, and much of that has to do with the success of Nicklas Lidstrom. In 2007-08, Lidstrom became the first European-born player to captain a Stanley Cup championship team.

As a person, Lidstrom is about as quiet as they come, but many consider him to be the perfect hockey player. Very rarely is he caught out of position, and even at 41 years of age he has yet to show any signs of slowing down. In fact, Lidstrom had one of the better years of his career this past season when he racked up 16 goals and 62 total points.

After leading Sweden to gold medal at the 2006 Olympics, Lidstrom became the 17th member of the exclusive “Triple Gold Club,” as he has won an Olympic gold, World Championship and Stanley Cup during his illustrious career.

Lidstrom, a 12-time All-Star, is certainly among the greatest defensemen of all time as he has won four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies as the league’s best defenseman and one Conn Smythe Award.

When you consider how great of a player Lidstrom has been, his leadership skills often get lost in the shuffle. Not only will Lidstrom be a Hall of Fame player one day soon, but he is also a Hall of Fame leader.