The Biggest Ego Currently on Each NHL Team

The NHL has its share of selfish players who think it's all about them and not the team. These players annoy us and typically aren't well liked by players around the league.

Having a massive ego can mean demanding trades, repeatedly asking for a higher salary, constant showboating, and more.

Let's look at each team's biggest ego.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35

Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry

After a solid start to his career, Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry had an unbelievable 2010-11 season and won the Hart Trophy as MVP.

After having a decent-sized ego before winning the MVP, it’s not hard to see why Perry’s ego has increased the past few months.

Appearing on the cover of various hockey magazines doesn’t help matters.

Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has only played one full season in the NHL, but he acts like he is an established veteran.

Marchand is a pest on the ice and annoys the heck out of players, and during the Stanley Cup Finals this past June he repeatedly punched a helpless Daniel Sedin in the head. When asked why he did it, Marchand responded, “because I felt like it.”

Buffalo Sabres: Lindy Ruff

Lindy Ruff has been an NHL coach for a long time. As the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, he’s had his share of memorable moments with the press.

Ruff’s ego takes a hit each time he fails to win the Stanley Cup.

Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla

Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla doesn’t have a massive ego, but it’s clear he is frustrated with the current situation in Calgary, and feels like he should be part of a winner, even if a trade is the way for him to get a shot at winning his first Stanley Cup.

Carolina Hurricanes: Tomas Kaberle

Tomas Kaberle was a major disappointment last season in Boston, but the Bruins won the Stanley Cup.

Kaberle would never tell you he was playing poorly, or that he was really struggling. He’d lead you to believe the Bruins defensive system just didn’t suit him.

Chicago Blackhawks: Daniel Carcillo

Daniel Carcillo has brought his ego with him to Chicago this summer; he was previously a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Carcillo is one of those goons that everyone hates, and he acts like he’s actually a good player, but he’s really not.

Colorado Avalanche: Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny doesn’t have a massive ego, but he definitely acts like he’s better than he is because his father played in the NHL too, and was a good player.

Making the All-Star game this past season didn’t help calm his ego either.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Jeff Carter

Jeff Carter was traded from the Philadelphia Flyers this summer because of his massive ego and inability to lead the Flyers this past playoffs.

Carter refused to step up this postseason, and refused to take a leadership role when Chris Pronger went down with injury.

Dallas Stars: Sheldon Souray

Sheldon Souray has a good-sized ego, and his failure with the Edmonton Oilers did not help.

Souray wanted out of Edmonton and wanted to be traded to a contender, and was apparently too good to be part of a rebuilding team.

Detroit Red Wings: Todd Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi has a pretty big ego, and is not a well liked player around the league.

Bertuzzi is one of the goons of the NHL, and has injured many players and rarely shows concern afterward.

Edmonton Oilers: Ben Eager

Ben Eager is another player with little respect around the league, and his ego doesn’t help his cause.

Eager talks a lot of trash, even when his team is down big-time, and that annoys players to say the least.

Florida Panthers: Scottie Upshall

Scottie Upshall got a contract he fully didn’t deserve this offseason, but he wouldn’t tell you that; he’d say he’s well worth it.

Looking at his stats, there’s no way Upshall is worth $14 million over four years.

Los Angeles Kings: Mike Richards

Mike Richards has a massive ego, and his inability to check his ego at the door in the playoffs was one of many reasons he was traded to Los Angeles from Philadelphia this summer.

Richards refuses to swallow his pride and admit when he’s underperformed, and is unable to provide leadership in times of stress.

Minnesota Wild: Dany Heatley

Dany Heatley demands trades and refuses to take the blame for his team’s playoff failures when one of the biggest reasons for that failure is his terrible postseason performances.

He is one of the most selfish players in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens: PK Subban

PK Subban is talented, but he is so cocky and arrogant that it drives opposing fans nuts.

He is also one of the best divers in the NHL, and his repeated, classless flops are a painful sight to watch.

Nashville Predators: Mike Fisher

Mike Fisher is married to the beautiful Carrie Underwood, so he thinks he’s a big deal even though he’s an average player.

To be honest, if I were married to her, I’d act the same way.

New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk demanded he get a $100 million-plus contract before last season and he eventually got it.

He used many teams as bait for a new contract from the Devils, including the Los Angeles Kings. He also failed massively to live up to the expectations that come with a new contract last season.

New York Islanders: Alexei Yashin

Alexei Yashin is one of the most selfish players in league history, and seemed to always value his salary over his team’s performance.

When trade demands and pay increases weren’t given, he left the NHL for the KHL. He has now returned to the NHL and it’s unlikely his ego is any smaller.

New York Rangers: Sean Avery

A pretty easy choice for this list, Sean Avery loves to be center of attention, even when that means he gets in trouble on or off the ice.

He is one of the biggest self-promoters in the league and is widely not liked among the majority of the players.

Ottawa Senators: Filip Kuba

Filip Kuba is one of many current and former Ottawa Senators players who care more about themselves and their salary than the success of the team.

This example of putting yourself before the team is one of the many reasons the Senators rarely go deep into the playoffs.

Philadelphia Flyers: Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger sees himself as a leader and a veteran who knows the game and is not afraid to tell you what you’re doing wrong.

This may seem like a positive leadership role but Pronger often takes it too far.

As an accomplished player and Stanley Cup champion, Pronger’s influence in a locker room can unite a team or divide it.

Phoenix Coyotes: Gary Bettman

I understand NHL commissioner Gary Bettman isn't a direct part of the Coyotes, but his persistence in making hockey popular in the south and southwest parts of the country is not helping the game, and he refuses to admit that.

He was one of the most hated men in hockey, and is booed almost everywhere he goes by fans.

Pittsburgh Penguins

One of the most hated men in the NHL, Matt Cooke injures players on purpose and shows little responsibility afterwards.

He's a thug and hardly anyone likes him, and he still acts surprised when he gets suspended for vicious hits.

St. Louis Blues: Jason Arnott

Jason Arnott doesn't have that much of an ego, but any player who has won a Stanley Cup and is a solid veteran player has a bit of an ego.

(I'll admit finding an ego on the Blues was a bit difficult)

San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton

Joe Thornton does not take criticism well, and acts like it's not all his fault when the Sharks continue to fail to make the Stanley Cup Finals.

As the captain, you have to shoulder much of the blame.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vinny Lecavalier

Vincent Lecavalier has not been a happy camper his entire time in Tampa Bay, and before last season there were many reasons he could be traded because he was not happy with the situation in Tampa.

Now that the Lightning look like a Cup contender again, Lecavalier has been quiet about leaving Florida.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Dion Phaneuf

It's almost laughable how full of himself Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf is. 

I mean, he does call himself, "the Dion."

Vancouver Canucks: Roberto Luongo

Constantly refusing to take the blame for numerous playoff failures, and telling reporters why other players aren't "pumping his tires" make Roberto Luongo an easy choice for the list.

He's easily one of the more selfish players in the NHL.

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin has a massive ego, and it's not hard to tell he craves attention. 

It doesn't help that he showboats after every goal and jumps into the boards in celebration.

It's a bit much for a guy who can't get it done in the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets: Evander Kane

Evander Kane doesn't have a massive ego, but the young star does have an attitude or "edge" about him.

In my opinion this a is a good thing.