Every NHL Team's Mount Rushmore

Think it’s easy to pick the all-time four best players in hockey? OK, let's go by franchise.

Every NHL Team's Mount Rushmore

Before we start more Mount Rushmore arguments, let’s begin with the most urgent one of all, shall we, puckheads?

What four players comprise the all-time NHL Fab Four?

Anyone in a drug-free state would pick Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr for starters. Or Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky. Almost as many would add Mario Lemieux to the mix. That’s where it gets very interesting.

Most observers have Gordie Howe on their lists. His nickname was "Mr. Hockey," for gosh sake. Can’t argue there. For now. I just wonder if Sidney Crosby will nudge No. 9 aside before long.

Crosby has the more impressive adjusted career numbers of the two legends. The guy also is a serial winner — three Stanley Cups in 30-team leagues. Howe won four in six-team leagues. If healthy, Crosby figures to have several productive seasons ahead of him. Hoist another Stanley Cup, and he joins the foursome. Otherwise, we’ve got a heckuva debate here. What do you say?

Now let’s hammer out the rest.

(Sorry, Vegas, it takes more than two seasons to build a mountain, although goalie Marc-Andre Fleury seems intent to be on it.)

Anaheim Ducks/Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Clockwise from top left: Teemu Selanne, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Ryan Getzlaf, Paul Kariya

TEEMU SELANNE, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 21 seasons (1992-2014)
Years with Ducks: 15 seasons (1995-2001, 2005-14)
Career statistics: 1,451 GP, 684 G, 773 A, +95
Statistics with Ducks: 966 GP, 457 G, 531 A, +120
Point shares/82: 10.5
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2007)

JEAN-SEBASTIEN GIGUERE, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 16 seasons (1996-2014)
Years with Ducks: 9 seasons (2000-10)
Career statistics: 597 GP, 2.53 GAA, .913 SV%
Statistics with Ducks: 447 GP, 2.47 GAA, .914 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.6
Stanley Cup championship: 1 (2007)

RYAN GETZLAF, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Ducks (2005-present)
Career statistics: 984 GP, 261 G, 662 A, +146
Point shares/82: 8.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2007)

PAUL KARIYA, LEFT WING
NHL career: 15 seasons (1994-2010)
Years with Ducks: 9 seasons (1994-2003)
Career statistics: 989 GP, 402 G, 587 A, +31
Statistics with Ducks: 606 GP, 300 G, 369 A, +52
Point shares/82: 10.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Jiggy led the Ducks to one Stanley Cup title and darn near stole another. The three-time Vezina and one-time Conn Smythe Trophy-winner gets the nod over right wing Corey Perry for the final spot.

Also in the running: defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger.

Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets

Clockwise from top left: Dale Hawerchuk, Shane Doan, Teppo Numminen, Keith Tkachuk

DALE HAWERCHUK, CENTER
NHL career: 16 seasons (1981-97)
Years with Jets: nine seasons (1981-90)
Career statistics: 1,188 GP, 518 G, 891 A, -98
Statistics with Jets: 713 GP, 379 G, 550 A, -93
Point shares/82: 8.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

SHANE DOAN, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 21 seasons, all with Jets-Coyotes (1995-2017)
Career statistics: 1,540 GP. 402 G, 570 A, -54
Point Shares/82: 5.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

TEPPO NUMMINEN, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 20 seasons (1988-2009)
Years with Jets-Coyotes: 15 seasons (1988-2003)
Career statistics: 1,372 GP, 117 G, 520 A, +56
Statistics with Jets-Coyotes: 1,098 GP, 108 G, 426 A, +42
Point shares/82: 6.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

KEITH TKACHUK, LEFT WING
NHL career: 18 seasons (1991-2010)
Years with Jets-Coyotes: 10 seasons (1991-2001)
Career statistics: 1,201 GP, 538 G, 527 A, +33
Statistics with Jets-Coyotes: 640 GP, 323 G, 300 A, +25
Point shares/82: 9.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: The WHA Jets version of left wing Bobby Hull, center Ulf Nilsson, right wing Anders Hedberg and defenseman Lars Erik-Sjoberg would give this foursome all they could handle.

Current defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson may be on the way if he plays the second half of his career the way he played the first.

Also considered: goaltender Mike Smith.

Boston Bruins

Clockwise from top left: Ray Bourque, Phil Esposito, Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr

RAY BOURQUE, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 22 seasons (1979-2001)
Years with Bruins: 21 seasons (1979-2000)
Career statistics: 1,612 GP, 410 G, 1,169 A, +527
Statistics with Bruins: 1,518 GP, 395 G, 1,111 A, +493
Point shares/82: 12.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2001)

PHIL ESPOSITO, CENTER
Career: 18 seasons (1963-81)
Years with Bruins: 9 seasons (1967-76)
Career statistics: 1,282 GP, 717 G, 873 A, +252
Statistics with Bruins: 625 GP, 459 G, 553 A, +306
Point shares/82: 15.2
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1970, 1972)

EDDIE SHORE, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 14 seasons (1926-40)
Years with Bruins: 14 seasons (1926-40)
Career statistics: 551 GP, 105 G, 179 A, +/- NA
Statistics with Bruins: 541 GP, 103 G, 176 A, +/- NA
Point shares/82: 14.8
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1929, 1939)

BOBBY ORR, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 12 seasons (1966-79)
Years with Bruins: 10 seasons (1966-76)
Career statistics: 657 GP, 270 G, 645 A, +582
Statistics with Bruins: 631 GP, 264 G, 624 A, +574
Point shares/82: 19.1
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1970, 1972)

Bottom line: Yeah, we know — three defensemen. Ray Bourque (five) and Bobby Orr (eight) combined for 13 Norris Trophies, while Eddie Shore would have had five or six more if there had been an award in his day.

It would have been nice to include a goalie but at whose expense?

Also considered: left wing John Bucyk, defenseman Zdeno Chara, goaltenders Frank Brimsek, Gerry Cheevers and Tiny Thompson.

Buffalo Sabres

Clockwise from top left: Phil Housley, Dominik Hasek, Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin

PHIL HOUSLEY, DEFENSMAN
NHL career: 18 seasons (1991-2010)
Years with Jets: 10 seasons (1991-2001)
Career statistics: 1,495 GP, 338 G, 894 A, -53
Statistics with Sabres: 608 GP, 178 G, 380 A, +3
Point shares/82: 10.0
Stanley Cup championships: 0

DOMINIK HASEK, GOALTENDER,
NHL career: 16 seasons (1990-08)
Years with Sabres: 9 seasons (1992-2001)
Career statistics: 735 GP, 2.20 GAA, .922 SV%
Statistics with Sabres: 491 GP, 2.22 GAA, .926 SV%
Point shares/82: 19.4
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2002, 2008)

GILBERT PERREAULT, CENTER
NHL career: 17 seasons, all with Sabres (1970-87)
Career statistics: 1,191 GP, 512 G, 814 A, +41
Point shares/82: 7.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

RICK MARTIN, LEFT WING
NHL career: 11 seasons (1971-82)
Years with Sabres: 10 seasons (1971-81)
Career statistics: 685 GP, 384 G, 317 A, +14
Statistics with Sabres: 681 GP, 382 G, 313 A, +12
Point shares/82: 8.5
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Rick Martin or goaltender Ryan Miller? We took the two-time 50-goal scorer and seven-time All-Star over the one-time Vezina Trophy-winner even if a gruesome knee injury shortened his career.

Honorable mention: left wing Dave Andreychuk.

Calgary/Atlanta Flames

Clockwise from top left: Jarome Iginla, Theoren Fleury, Miikka Kiprusoff, Al MacInnis

JAROME IGINLA, CENTER
NHL career: 20 seasons (1996-2017)
Years with Flames: 16 seasons (1996-13)
Career statistics: 1,554 GP, 625 G, 675 A, +30
Statistics with Flames: 1,219 GP, 525 G, 570 A, +46
Point shares/82: 9.0
Stanley Cup championships: 0

THEOREN FLEURY, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 15 seasons (1988-2003)
Years with Flames: 11 seasons (1988-99)
Career statistics: 1,084 GP, 455 G, 633 A, +145
Statistics with Flames: 791 GP, 364 G, 466 A, +148
Point shares/82: 8.8
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1989)

AL MACINNIS, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 23 seasons (1981-2004)
Years with Flames: 13 seasons (1981-94)
Career statistics: 1,416 GP, 340 G, 934 A, +371
Statistics with Flames: 803 GP, 213 G, 609 A, +239
Point shares/82: 11.1
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1989)

MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 16 seasons (2002-present)
Years with Flames: 11 seasons (2002-14)
Career statistics: 623 GP, 2.49 GAA, .912 SV%
Statistics with Flames: 576 GP, 2.46 GAA, .913 SV%
Point shares/82: 14.9
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Miikka Kiprusoff versus Mike Vernon was a close call. While Vernon led the Flames to their lone Stanley Cup title, Kiprusoff was the franchise leader in every major category.

The one-time Jennings Trophy winner also lost 2-1 in Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.

Honorable mention: defenseman Mark Giordano, right wing Lanny McDonald and his big, bushy, beautiful mustache.

Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers

Clockwise from top left: Cam Ward, Eric Staal, Rod Brind’Amour, Ron Francis

CAM WARD, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 14 seasons (2005-present)
Years with Hurricanes: 13 seasons (1981-94)
Career statistics: 701 GP, 2.74 GAA, .908 SV%
Statistics with Hurricanes: 668 GP, 2.70 GAA, .909 SV%
Point shares/82: 13.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1999)

ROD BRIND'AMOUR, CENTER
NHL career: 20 seasons (1989-2010)
Years with Hurricanes: 10 seasons (1999-2010)
Career statistics: 1,484 GP, 452 G, 732 A, -39
Statistics with Hurricanes: 694 GP, 174 G, 299 A, -62
Point shares/82: 4.9
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1999)

ERIC STAAL, CENTER
NHL career: 15 seasons (2003-present)
Years with Hurricanes: 12 seasons (2003-16)
Career statistics: 1,174 GP, 417 G, 557 A, -39
Statistics with Hurricanes: 909 GP, 322 G, 453 A, -58
Point shares/82: 7.7
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1999)

RON FRANCIS, CENTER
NHL career: 23 seasons (1981-2004)
Years with Whalers/Hurricanes: 10 seasons (1981-91)
Career statistics: 1,731 GP, 549 G, 1,249 A, -18
Statistics with Whalers/Hurricanes: 1,186 GP, 382 G, 793 A, -54
Point shares/82: 6.5
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1991, 1992)

Bottom line: Stats-wise, right wing Kevin Dineen deserved to be on the mountainside. But we couldn’t ignore what Rod Brind’Amour brought to the 1989 Stanley Cup champions as team captain — namely, defense, leadership and the clutch gene.

Chill, Whalers diehards, the GWOAT (Ron Francis) has got your backs. Cue fight song "Brass Bonanza" here.

Long live the Pucky the Whale.

Chicago Blackhawks/Black Hawks

Clockwise from top left: Stan Mikita, Jonathan Toews, Bobby Hull, Patrick Kane

STAN MIKITA, CENTER
NHL career: 22 seasons, all with Blackhawks (1958-80)
Career statistics: 1,396 GP, 541 G, 926 A, +329
Point shares/82: 8.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1961)

JONATHAN TOEWS, CENTER
NHL career: 12 seasons, all with Blackhawks (2007-present)
Career statistics: 873 GP, 327 G, 428 A, +195
Point shares/82: 8.8
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2010, 2013, 2015)

BOBBY HULL, LEFT WING
NHL career: 16 seasons (1957-72, 1979-80)
Years with Blackhawks: 15 seasons (1957-72)
Career statistics: 1,063 GP, 610 G, 560 A, +249
Statistics with Blackhawks: 1,036 GP, 604 G, 549 A, +259
Point shares/82: 10.7
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1961)

PATRICK KANE, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 12 seasons, all with Blackhawks (2007-present)
Career statistics: 903 GP, 356 G, 582 A, +61
Point shares/82: 10.0
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2010, 2013, 2015)

Bottom line: After Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, both must-haves, there were no easy choices left.

Hall of Fame goaltenders Tony Esposito and Glenn Hall deserved spots, but what about the recent three-time Stanley Cup champs?

For balance, we paired Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, the most visible faces on those championship teams.

Deserved better: center Denis Savard, defensemen Chris Chelios, Duncan Keith and Doug Wilson.

Colorado Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques

Clockwise from top left: Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg, Peter Stastny

JOE SAKIC, CENTER
NHL career: 20 seasons, all with Nordiques/Avalanche (1988-2009)
Career statistics: 1,378 GP, 625 G, 1,016 A, +30
Point shares/82: 10.0
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1996, 2001)

PATRICK ROY, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 19 seasons (1984-2003)
Years with Avalanche: 8 seasons (1995-2003)
Career statistics: 1,029 GP, 2.54 GAA, .910 SV%
Statistics with Avalanche: 478 GP, 2.27 GAA, .918 SV%
Point shares/82: 16.0
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1986, 1993, 1996, 2001)

PETER FORSBERG, CENTER
NHL career: 13 seasons (1994-2008, 2010-11)
Years with Nordiques/Avalanche: 11 seasons (1994-2004, 2007-08, 2010-11)
Career statistics: 708 GP, 249 G, 636 A, +238
Statistics with Nordiques/Avalanche: 591 GP, 217 G, 538 A, +210
Point shares/82: 11.7
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1996, 2001)

PETER STASTNY, CENTER
NHL career: 15 seasons (1980-95)
Years with Nordiques: 10 seasons (1980-90)
Career statistics: 977 GP, 450 G, 789 A, -15
Statistics with Nordiques: 737 GP, 380 G, 668 A, -14
Point shares/82: 8.9
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: As the nucleus of two Stanley Cup-winners, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic were breakaway goals.

Peter Stastny was the GNOAT, not to mention the most prolific points machine not named Wayne Gretzky in the 1980s decade.

Honorable mention: left wing Michel Goulet, right wing Milan Hejduk.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Clockwise from top left: Sergei Bobrovsky, Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, Rick Nash

SERGEI BOBROVSKY, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 9 seasons (2010-present)
Years with Blue Jackets: 7 seasons (2012-present)
Career statistics: 457 GP, 2.46 GAA, .919 SV%
Statistics with Blue Jackets: 374 GP, 2.41 GAA, .921 SV%
Point shares/82: 16.5
Stanley Cup championships: 0

SETH JONES, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 6 seasons (2013-present)
Years with Blue Jackets: 4 seasons (2015-present)
Career statistics: 468 GP, 54 G, 174 A, -17
Statistics with Blue Jackets: 269 GP, 39 G, 126 A, +8
Point shares/82: 8.4
Stanley Cup championships: 0

CAM ATKINSON, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 8 seasons, all with Blue Jackets (2011-present)
Career statistics: 527 GP, 186 G, 156 A, +31
Point shares/82: 6.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

RICK NASH, LEFT WING
NHL career: 15 seasons (2002-18)
Years with Blue Jackets: 9 seasons (2002-12)
Career statistics: 1,060 GP, 437 G, 368 A, -11
Statistics with Blue Jackets: 674 GP, 289 G, 258 A, -71
Point shares/82: 8.0
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Columbus isn’t known for its mountains. Good thing, too. As of the 2017-18 season, this expansion franchise had yet to win a playoff series, let alone hoist a Stanley Cup in its somewhat brief history.

Where have you gone, David Vyborny?!

Also considered: defenseman Fedor Tyutin. Darn tootin’.

Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars

Clockwise from top left: Dino Ciccarelli, Sergei Zubov, Ed Belfour, Mike Modano

ED BELFOUR, GOALTENDER
Career: 17 seasons (1988-2007)
Years with Stars: five seasons (1997-2002)
Career statistics: 963/2.50/.906
Statistics with Stars: 307/2.19/.910
Point Shares/82: 12.5
Stanley Cup championship: 1999

DINO CICCARELLI, RIGHT WING
Career: 19 seasons (1980-99)
Years with North Stars: nine seasons (1980-89)
Career statistics: 1,232/608/592/-4
Statistics with North Stars: 602/332/319/-2
Point Shares/82: 7.4
Stanley Cup championship: none

MIKE MODANO, CENTER
Career: 21 seasons, all with Stars (1989-2011)
Years with North Stars-Stars: 20 seasons (1989-2010)
Career statistics: 1,499/561/813/+114
Statistics with North Stars-Stars: 1,142/434/616/+139
Point Shares/82: 8.5
Stanley Cup championship: 1999

SERGEI ZUBOV, DEFENSEMAN
Career: 13 seasons (1993-2008)
Years with Stars: 10 seasons (1996-2008)
Career statistics: 1,068/152/619/+148
Statistics with Stars: 839/111/438/+103
Point Shares/82: 10.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1994, 1999

Bottom line: We didn’t want to punk Brett Hull, whose controversial goal decided the 1999 Stanley Cup Final, but the right wing spent only three seasons in Big D late in his career.

For long-term production, Dino Ciccarelli gets the call. "Bleepin’ Ciccarelli" was one of the most despised players ever — unless he was on your side. His 0.49 goals per game ranked 23rd in NHL history, and he scored at an even higher rate (0.55) in North Stars green and gold.

Honorable mention: left wing Brian Bellows, center Neal Broten.

Detroit Red Wings/Falcons/Cougars

Clockwise from top left: Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk, Nicklas Lidstrom

STEVE YZERMAN, CENTER
NHL career: 22 seasons, all with Red Wings (1983-2006)
Career statistics: 1,514 GP, 692 G, 1,063 A, +184
Point shares/82: 9.0
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1997, 1998, 2002)

GORDIE HOWE, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 26 seasons (1946-71, 1979-80)
Years with Red Wings: 25 seasons (1946-71)
Career statistics: 1,767 GP, 801 G, 1,049 A, +160*
Statistics with Red Wings: 1,687 GP, 786 G, 1,023 A, +151
Point shares/82: 10.5
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)

TERRY SAWCHUK, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 21 seasons (1949-70)
Years with Red Wings: 14 seasons (1949-55, 1957-64, 1968-69)
Career statistics: 445 GP, 2.50 GAA, .907 SV%
Statistics with Red Wings: 734 GP, 2.44 GAA, .904 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.8
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967)

NICKLAS LIDSTROM, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 20 seasons, all with Red Wings (1991-2012)
Career statistics: 1,564 GP, 264 G, 878 A, +450
Point shares/82: 11.1
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)

Bottom line: This is another Original Six team with too many greats for so few spots. Couldn’t go wrong with the greatest wing, center, defenseman and netminder in franchise history.

Best of the rest: defenseman Red Kelly, left wing Ted Lindsay, centers Pavel Datsyuk and Alex Delvecchio.

Edmonton Oilers

Clockwise from top left: Mark Messier, Grant Fuhr, Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey

MARK MESSIER, CENTER
NHL career: 25 seasons (1979-2004)
Years with Oilers: 12 seasons (1979-91)
Career statistics: 1,756 GP, 694 G, 1,193 A, +211
Statistics with Oilers: 851 GP, 392 G, 642 A, +174
Point shares/82: 7.7
Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1994)

GRANT FUHR, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 19 seasons (1981-2000)
Years with Oilers: 10 seasons (1981-1991)
Career statistics: 868 GP, 3.38 GAA, .887 SV%
Statistics with Oilers: 423 GP, 3.69 GAA, .883 SV%
Point shares/82: 13.7
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)

WAYNE GRETZKY, CENTER
NHL career: 20 seasons (1979-99)
Years with Oilers: 9 seasons (1979-88)
Career statistics: 1,487 GP, 894 G, 1,963 A, +520
Statistics with Oilers: 696 GP, 583 G, 1,086 A, +553
Point shares/82: 16.2
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)

PAUL COFFEY, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 21 seasons (1980-2001)
Years with Oilers: 7 seasons (1980-87)
Career statistics: 1,409 GP, 396 G, 1,135 A, +298
Statistics with Oilers: 532 GP, 209 G, 460 A, +275
Point shares/82: 12.5
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1991)

Bottom line: Hey, look, the 1980’s Oilers actually played with a defenseman and a goalie. While "The Moose" and "The Great One" got most of the points and pub, it was Paul Coffey who triggered the attack on the backline.

Fun fact: Coffey and Bobby Orr were the only defensemen to average more than a point per game in NHL history.

Grant Fuhr didn’t wow anyone in the regular season, but few if any goalies did in the live-puck era. He forged his legacy in the playoffs.

Deserved much better: right wing Jarri Kurri, who had 601 career goals.

A couple or three Cups away: center Connor McDavid.

Florida Panthers

Clockwise from top left: Roberto Luongo, John Vanbiesbrouck, Olli Jokinen, Pavel Bure

ROBERTO LUONGO, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 19 seasons (1999-present)
Years with Panthers: 11 seasons (2000-06, 2013-present)
Career statistics: 1,044 GP, 2.52 GAA, .919 SV%
Statistics with Panthers: 572 GP, 2.61 GAA, .919 SV%
Point shares/82: 17.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

JOHN VANBIESBROUCK, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 20 seasons (1981-2002)
Years with Panthers: 5 seasons (1993-98)
Career statistics: 882 GP, 2.98 GAA, .899 SV%
Statistics with Panthers: 268 GP, 2.58 GAA, .912 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

OLLI JOKINEN, CENTER
NHL career: 17 seasons (1997-2015)
Years with Panthers: 7 seasons (2000-08)
Career statistics: 1,231 GP, 321 G, 429 A, -132
Statistics with Panthers: 567 GP, 188 G, 231 A, -58
Point shares/82: 6.2
Stanley Cup championships: 0

PAVEL BURE, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 12 seasons (1991-2003)
Years with Panthers: 4 seasons (1998-2002)
Career statistics: 702 GP, 437 G, 342 A, +42
Statistics with Panthers: 223 GP, 152 G, 99 A, +12
Point shares/82: 12.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Pavel Bure spent only three seasons with the team, but oh, what seasons they were.

The Beezer gets our vote because of his immense value to the expansion franchise in its early years.

Olli Jokinen is the franchise leader in career goals, but let’s not etch his face in stone just yet. At 23, center Aleksander Barkov is on his tailpipe already.

Also considered: right wing Scott Mellanby, defenseman Robert Svehla.

Los Angeles Kings

Clockwise from top left: Jonathan Quick, Marcel Dionne, Drew Doughty, Luc Robitaille

JONATHAN QUICK, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 12 seasons, all with Kings (2007-19)
Career statistics: 602 GP, 2.36 GAA, .914 SV%
Point shares/82: 13.4
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2012, 2014)

MARCEL DIONNE, CENTER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1971-89)
Years with Kings: 12 seasons (1975-87)
Career statistics: 1,348 GP, 731 G, 1,040 A, +27
Statistics with Kings: 921 GP, 550 G, 757 A, +105
Point shares/82: 10.4
Stanley Cup championships: 0

DREW DOUGHTY, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 11 seasons, all with Kings (2008-19)
Career statistics: 852 GP, 110 G, 357 A, +59

Point shares/82: 9.4
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2012, 2014)

LUC ROBITAILLE, LEFT WING
NHL career: 19 seasons (1986-2006)
Years with Kings: 14 seasons (1986-94, 1997-2001, 2003-06)
Career statistics: 1,431 GP, 668 G, 726 A, +71
Statistics with Kings: 1,077 GP, 557 G, 597 A, +30
Point shares/82: 8.6
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2002)

Bottom line: Wayne Gretzky is a popular choice here for no other reason than he saved hockey in Southern California, his fans claim. We don’t buy it. The franchise was 21 years old when "The Great One" arrived and already had some semblance of success.

Marcel Dionne and Luc Robitaille were gimmes. Ditto Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty, the backbone of two Stanley Cup-winners.

Honorable mention: center Anze Kopitar, right wing Dave Taylor, goaltender Rogie Vachon.

Minnesota Wild

Clockwise from top left: Niklas Backstrom, Ryan Suter, Marian Gaborik, Mikko Koivu

NIKLAS BACKSTROM, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 10 seasons (2006-16)
Years with Wild: 9 seasons (2006-15)
Career statistics: 413 GP, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%
Statistics with Wild: 409 GP, .248 GAA, .915 SV%
Point shares/82: 14.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

RYAN SUTER, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 14 seasons (2005-present)
Years with Wild: 7 seasons (2012-present)
Career statistics: 1,073 GP, 82 G, 458 A, +102
Statistics with Wild: 531 GP, 44 G, 258 A, +59
Point shares/82: 8.9
Stanley Cup championships: 0

MARIAN GABORIK, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 17 seasons (2000-18)
Years with Wild: 8 seasons (2000-09)
Career statistics: 1,035 GP, 407 G, 408 A, +95
Statistics with Wild: 502 GP, 219 G, 218 A, +54
Point shares/82: 9.6
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2014)

MIKKO KOIVU, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Wild (2005-present)
Career statistics: 973 GP, 201 G, 487 A, +68
Point shares/82: 5.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Pro sports franchises belong to the city and its fans, not the owners. So when I become commish, the ones that skip town like the North Stars did to Dallas won’t be allowed to take their nicknames and histories with them.

My North Stars Franchise Four: center Neal Broten, right wing Dino Ciccarelli, right wing Bill Goldsworthy, defenseman Craig Hartsburg.

Montreal Canadiens

Clockwise from top left: Maurice Richard, Larry Robinson, Jean Beliveau, Howie Morenz

MAURICE RICHARD, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 18 seasons, all with Canadiens (1942-60)
Career statistics: 978 GP, 544 G, 422 A, +18
Point shares/82: 10.5
Stanley Cup championships: 8 (1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)

LARRY ROBINSON, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 20 seasons (1972-92)
Years with Canadiens: 14 seasons (1972-89)
Career statistics: 1,384 GP, 208 G, 750 A, +722
Statistics with Canadiens: 1,202 GP, 97 G, 686 A, +692
Point shares/82: 10.8
Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986)

JEAN BELIVEAU, CENTER
NHL career: 21 seasons, all with Canadiens (1950-71)
Career statistics: 1,125 GP, 507 G, 712 A, +117
Point shares/82: 10.1
Stanley Cup championships: 10 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971)

HOWIE MORENTZ, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons (1923-37)
Years with Canadiens: 12 seasons (1923-34, 1936-37)
Career statistics: 550 GP, 271 G, 205 A, +/- NA
Statistics with Canadiens: 460 GP, 257 G, 164 A, +/- NA
Point shares/82: 16.9
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1924, 1930, 1931)

Bottom line: Sacre bleu! What to do with all these legends?

We kept it simple and chose one from each of their most dynamic decades — Howie Morenz (1920-30s), Maurice Richard (1940-50s), Jean Beliveau (1950s-70s) and Larry Robinson (1970s-1980s).

Montreal Canadiens 2.0

Clockwise from top left: Doug Harvey, Jacques Plante, Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden

DOUG HARVEY, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 19 seasons (1947-64, 1966-69)
Years with Canadiens: 14 seasons (1949-55, 1957-64, 1968-69)
Career statistics: 1,113 GP, 88 G, 452 A, +46
Statistics with Canadiens: 890 GP, 76 G, 371 A, +53
Point shares/82: 9.6
Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)

JACQUES PLANTE, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1952-65, 1968-73)
Years with Canadiens: 11 seasons (1952-63)
Career statistics: 837 GP, 2.38 GAA, .920 SV%
Statistics with Canadiens: 556 GP, 2.22 GAA, .920 SV%^
Point shares/82: 18.1
Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)

GUY LAFLEUR., RIGHT WING
NHL career: 17 seasons (1971-85, 1988-91)
Years with Canadiens: 14 seasons (1971-85)
Career statistics: 1,126 GP, 560 G, 793 A, +446
Statistics with Canadiens: 961 GP, 518 G, 728 A, +470
Point shares/82: 10.6
Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)

KEN DRYDEN, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 8 seasons, all with Canadiens (1970-79)
Career statistics: 397 GP, 2.24 GAA, .922 SV%
Point shares/82: 20.4
Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)

Bottom line: One Mount Rushmore cannot do justice to the franchise with the most Stanley Cups (24), pure and simple.

Even then, Hall of Fame greats such as right wing Yvan Cournoyer, center Henri Richard, goalie Patrick Roy and defensman Serge Savard were left out.

Anyone for a third mountain?

Nashville Predators

Clockwise from top left: Roman Josi, Shea Weber, Pekka Rinne, David Legwand

ROMAN JOSI, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 8 seasons, all with Predators (2011–present)
Career statistics: 563 GP, 93 G, 255 A, +44
Point shares/82: 9.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

SHEA WEBER, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 14 seasons (2005-present)
Years with Predators: 11 seasons (2005-16)
Career statistics: 925 GP, 203 G, 331 A, +75
Statistics with Predators: 763 GP, 166 G, 277 A, +48
Point shares/82: 9.6
Stanley Cup championships: 0

PEKKA RINNE, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 13 seasons (2005-present)
Career statistics: 623 GP, 2.38 GAA, .918 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.2
Stanley Cup championships: 0

DAVID LEGWAND, CENTER
NHL career: 17 seasons (1998-2016)
Years with Predators: 15 seasons (1998-2014)
Career statistics: 1,136 GP, 228 G, 390 A, +7
Statistics with Predators: 956 GP, 210 G, 356 A, +19
Point shares/82: 4.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: This franchise has long built from the goal on out. These picks reflect as much.

David Legwand isn’t a name that rolls off tongues, but as the Predators' franchise leader in games played, goals, assists and points, he’s as good a pick as any here.

Also in the mix: right wing Martin Erat, defensemen Ryan Suter and Kimmo Timonen.

In name only: defenseman Jordin Tootoo.

New Jersey Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts

Clockwise from top left: Scott Stevens, Patrik Elias, Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer

SCOTT STEVENS, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 22 seasons (1982-2004)
Years with Devils: 13 seasons (1991-2004)
Career statistics: 1,635 GP, 196 G, 712 A, +395
Statistics with Devils: 956 GP, 93 G, 337 A, +282
Point shares/82: 8.3
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1995, 2000, 2003)

PATRIK ELIAS, LEFT WING
NHL career: 20 seasons, all with Devils (1995-2016)
Career statistics: 1,240 GP, 408 G, 617 A, +172
Point shares/82: 8.2
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2000, 2003)

MARTIN BRODEUR, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 22 seasons (1991-2015)
Years with Devils: 21 seasons (1991-2014)
Career statistics: 1,266 GP, 2.24 GAA, .912 SV%
Statistics with Devils: 1,259 GP, 2.24 GAA, .912 SV%
Point shares/82: 13.4
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1995, 2000, 2003)

SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 18 seasons (1991-2010)
Years with Devils: 13 seasons (1991-2004)
Career statistics: 1,263 GP, 172 G, 568 A, +167
Statistics with Devils: 892 GP, 112 G, 364 A, +172
Point shares/82: 9.0
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1995, 2000, 2003, 2007)

Bottom line: This core of Stanley Cup champions was an easy choice.

Now let’s give a shout-out to right wing John MacLean, an original Devil.

Also considered: left wing Zach Parsise.

New York Islanders

Clockwise from top left: Billy Smith, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin

BILLY SMITH, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1971-89)
Years with Islanders: 17 seasons (1972-89)
Career statistics: 679 GP, 3.16 GAA, .898 SV%
Statistics with Islanders: 674 GP, 3.18 GAA, .898 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.1
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)

BRYAN TROTTIER, CENTER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1975-94)
Years with Islanders: 15 seasons (1975-90)
Career statistics: 1,279 GP, 524 G, 901 A, +449
Statistics with Islanders: 1,123 GP, 500 G, 853 A, +467
Point shares/82: 8.6
Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1991, 1992)

MIKE BOSSY, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 10 seasons, all with Islanders (1977-87)
Career statistics: 752 GP, 573 G, 553 A, +380
Point shares/82: 12.1
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)

DENIS POTVIN, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 15 seasons, all with Islanders (1973-88)
Career statistics: 1,060 GP, 310 G, 742 A, +456
Point shares/82: 12.4
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)

Bottom line: We like Mount Rushmores that spread the wealth over multiple eras. The Islanders' dynasty cast such a tall shadow, though, we couldn’t help but pick its four biggest difference-makers — or one for each title in its four-peat.

Bryan Trottier was a regular-season and postseason MVP, while Denis Potvin was selected best defenseman three times.

Mike Bossy averaged more goals per game (0.76) than any non-center in the 1980s decade.

And no less an authority than Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour referred to Smith as "the greatest money goalie of all time." Good enough for us.

Honorable mention: left wing Clark Gillies, center John Tavares.

New York Rangers

Clockwise from top left: Henrik Lundqvist, Brian Leetch, Mark Messier, Rod Gilbert

HENRIK LUNDQVIST, GOALTENDER

NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Rangers (2005-present)
Career statistics: 857 GP, 2.41 GAA, .918 SV%
Point shares/82: 16.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

BRIAN LEETCH, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 18 seasons (1987-2006)
Years with Rangers: 17 seasons (1987-2004)
Career statistics: 1,205 GP, 247 G, 781 A, +25
Statistics with Rangers: 1,129 GP, 240 G, 741 A, +24
Point shares/82: 10.1
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1994)

MARK MESSIER, CENTER
NHL career: 25 seasons (1979-2004)
Years with Rangers: 10 seasons (1991-97, 2000-04)
Career statistics: 1,756 GP, 694 G, 1,193 A, +211
Statistics with Rangers: 698 GP, 250 G, 441 A, +74
Point shares/82: 7.8
Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987l 1988, 1994)

ROD GILBERT, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 18 seasons (1960-78)
Career statistics: 1,065 GP, 406 G, 615 A, +38
Point shares/82: 7.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: We went back and forth on a goaltender to complete the foursome. Fast Eddie was a mainstay for several contenders in the early 1970s and was as popular as any player in Rangers history.

Mike Richter was between the pipes when the Blueshirts finally broke the 1940 curse.

But for extended excellence, King Henrik is the pick, albeit a somewhat reluctant one.

Also in the chase: right wing Andy Bathgate, defenseman Harry Howell and Brad Park.

Ottawa Senators

Clockwise from top left: Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Craig Anderson, Dan Heatley

DANIEL ALFREDSSON, CENTER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1995-2014)
Years with Senators: 17 seasons (1995-2013)
Career statistics: 1,246 GP, 444 G, 713 A, +155
Statistics with Senators: 1,178 GP, 426 G, 682 A, +153
Point shares/82: 8.9
Stanley Cup championships: 0

ERIK KARLSSON, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 10 seasons (2009-present)
Years with Senators: 9 seasons (2009-18)
Career statistics: 680 GP, 129 G, 434 A, -31
Statistics with Senators: 627 GP, 126 G, 392 A, -37
Point shares/82: 10.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

CRAIG ANDERSON, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 16 seasons (2002-present)
Years with Senators: 9 seasons (2010-present)
Career statistics: 614 GP, 2.82 GAA, .913 SV%
Statistics with Senators: 401 GP, 2.80 GAA, .915 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

DANY HEATLEY, LEFT WING
NHL career: 14 seasons (2001-15)
Years with Senators: four seasons (2005-09)
Career statistics: 869 GP, 372 G, 419 A, +38
Statistics with Senators: 317 GP, 180 G, 182 A, +82
Point shares/82: 12.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: As the No. 2 points producer in Senators' franchise history, center Jason Spezza also merited a close look. We couldn’t snub Heatley, though, the top gun on the only Sens team to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

The fact that Heater averaged 45 goals in four seasons with the team didn’t hurt his cause, either.

Honorable mention: right wing Marian Hossa, defenseman Wade Redden, center Alexei Yashin.

Philadelphia Flyers

Clockwise from top left: John LeClair, Bernie Parent, Eric Lindros, Bobby Clarke

JOHN LECLAIR, LEFT WING
NHL career: 16 seasons (1990-2007)
Years with Flyers: 10 seasons (1994-2004)
Career statistics: 967 GP, 406 G, 413 A, +204
Statistics with Flyers: 649 GP, 333 G, 310 A, +197
Point shares/82: 10.8
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1993)

BERNIE PARENT, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 13 seasons (1965-79)
Years with Flyers: 10 seasons (1967-71, 1973-79)
Career statistics: 608 GP, 2.55 GAA, .915 SV%
Statistics with Flyers: 486 GP, 2.43 GAA, .917 SV%
Point shares/82: 18.0
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1974, 1975)

ERIC LINDROS, CENTER
NHL career: 13 seasons (1992-2007)
Years with Flyers: 8 seasons (1992-2000)
Career statistics: 760 GP, 372 G, 493 A, +215
Statistics with Flyers: 486 GP, 290 G, 369 A, +188
Point shares/82: 13.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

BOBBY CLARKE, CENTER
NHL career: 15 seasons, all with Flyers (1969-84)
Career statistics: 1,144 GP, 358 G, 852 A, +507
Point shares/82: 7.6
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1974, 1975)

Bottom line: In honor of the team that set hockey back at least one decade, we were tempted to goon it up with Andre "Moose" Dupont, Bob "Hound Dog" Kelly, Don "Big Bird" Saleski and Dave "The Hammer" Schultz but thought better of it.

Not far behind: left wing Bill Barber, goaltender Ron Hextall, defensemen Eric Desjardins and Mark Howe.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Clockwise from top left: Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Evgeni Malkin, Jaromir Jagr

SIDNEY CROSBY, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Penguins (2005-present)
Career statistics: 943 GP, 446 G, 770 A, +183
Point shares/82: 13.0
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)

MARIO LEMIEUX, CENTER
NHL career: 17 seasons, all with Penguins (1984-97, 2000-06)
Career statistics: 915 GP, 690 G, 1,033 A, +114
Point shares/82: 15.0
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1991, 1992)

EVGENI MALKIN, CENTER
NHL career: 13 seasons , all with Penguins (2006-present)
Career statistics: 852 GP, 391 G, 611 A, +66
Point shares/82: 11.7
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)

JAROMIR JAGR, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 24 seasons (1990-2008, 2011-18)
Years with Penguins: 11 seasons (1990-2001)
Career statistics: 1,733 GP, 766 G, 1,155 A, +322
Statistics with Penguins: 806 GP, 439 G, 640 A, +207
Point shares/82: 11.9
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1991,1992)

Bottom line: The final spot came down to Evgeni Malkin and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, his longtime teammate. The tiebreaker? Whereas "The Flower" often wilted in the playoffs, "Geno The Machino" came up huge as the MVP of the 2009 postseason.

Also considered: defenseman Kris Letang, goaltenders Tom Barrasso and Matt Murray.

San Jose Sharks

Clockwise from top left: Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Evgeni Nabokov

BRENT BURNS, DEFENSEMAN/RIGHT WING
NHL career: 15 seasons (2003-present)
Years with Sharks: eight seasons (2011-19)
Career statistics: 1,043 GP, 198 G, 451 A, +15
Statistics with Sharks: 590 GP, 143 G, 323 A, +36
Point shares/82: 10.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

JOE THORNTON, CENTER
NHL career: 21 seasons (1997-present)
Years with Sharks: 14 seasons (2005-present)
Career statistics: 1,566 GP, 413 G, 1,065 A, +205
Statistics with Sharks: 1,034 GP, 244 G, 780 A, +180
Point shares/82: 8.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

PATRICK MARLEAU, CENTER
NHL career: 21 seasons (1997-present)
Years with Sharks: 19 seasons (1997-2017)
Career statistics: 1,657 GP, 551 G, 615 A, -13
Statistics with Sharks: 1,493 GP, 508 G, 574 A, -8
Point shares/82: 6.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

EVGENI NABOKOV, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 14 seasons (1999-2015)
Years with Sharks: 10 seasons (1999-2010)
Career statistics: 697 GP, 2.44 GAA, .911 SV%
Statistics with Sharks: 563 GP, 2.39 GAA, .912 SV%
Point shares/82: 14.2
Stanley Cup championship: 0

Bottom line: Sorry, girls and boys, this Mount Rushmore doesn’t serve beverages. No Cups.

Close call: center Joe Pavelski.

In name only: Jonathan Cheechoo.

St. Louis Blues

Clockwise from top left: Chris Pronger, Al MacInnis, Bernie Federko, Brett Hull

CHRIS PRONGER, DEFENSEMAN

NHL career: 18 seasons (1993-2012)
Years with Blues: 9 seasons (1995-2004)
Career statistics: 1,167 GP, 157 G, 541 A, +183
Statistics with Blues: 598 GP, 84 G, 272 A, +140
Point shares/82: 10.5
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2007)

AL MACINNIS, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 23 seasons (1981-2004)
Years with Blues: 10 seasons (1994-2004)
Career statistics: 1,416 GP, 340 G, 934 A, +371
Statistics with Blues: 613 GP, 127 G, 325 A, +132
Point shares/82: 11.5
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1989)

BERNIE FEDERKO, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons (1976-90)
Years with Blues: 13 seasons (1976-89)
Career statistics: 1,000 GP, 369 G, 761 A, -131
Statistics with Blues: 927 GP, 352 G, 721 A, -123
Point shares/82: 6.8
Stanley Cup championships: 0

BRETT HULL, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 19 seasons (1986-2006)
Years with Blues: 11 seasons (1987-98)
Career statistics: 1,269 GP, 741 G, 650 A, +23
Statistics with Blues: 744 GP, 527 G, 409 A, -16
Point shares/82: 11.1
Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1999, 2002)

Bottom line: Whether it's in Chitown or The Lou, Glenn Hall should be on a mountain somewhere. Largely because of Mr. Goalie, who won the 1968 Smythe Trophy in the Blues' first season of existence, the expansion team was able to hold its own.

Problem is, we can’t bump off the franchise points leader, the franchise goals leader and two Norris Trophy-winners in good conscience.

Honorable mention: left wing Brian Sutter, goaltender Brian Elliott.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Clockwise from top left: Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, Victor Hedman

VINCENT LECAVALIER, CENTER
NHL career: 17 seasons (1998-2016)
Years with Lightning: 14 seasons (1998-2013)
Career statistics: 1,212 GP, 421 G, 528 A, -139
Statistics with Lightning: 1,037 GP, 383 G, 491 A, -116
Point shares/82: 7.5
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2004)

STEVEN STAMKOS, CENTER
NHL career: 11 seasons, all with Lightning (2008-present)
Career statistics: 746 GP, 393 G, 373 A, +30
Point shares/82: 11.0
Stanley Cup championships: 0

MARTIN ST. LOUIS, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 16 seasons (1998-2015)
Years with Lightning: 13 seasons (2000-14)
Career statistics: 1,134 GP, 391 G, 642 A, +37
Statistics with Lightning: 972 GP, 365 G, 588 A, +31
Point shares/82: 9.1
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2004)

VICTOR HEDMAN, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 10 seasons, all with Lightning (2009-present)
Career statistics: 696 GP, 94 G, 324 A, +89
Point shares/82: 8.6
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: We feel comfortable with this foursome. For the next year, anyway.

Right wing Nikita Kucherov and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy could join the conversation soon.

Also considered: goaltenders Ben Bishop and Nikolai Khabibulin.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Clockwise from top left: Mats Sundin, Turk Broda, Tim Horton, Ted Kennedy

MATS SUNDIN, CENTER
NHL career: 18 seasons (1990-2009)
Years with Maple Leafs: 13 seasons (1994-2008)
Career statistics: 1,346 GP, 564 G, 785 A, +73
Statistics with Maple Leafs: 981 GP, 420 G, 567 A, +99
Point shares/82: 9.5
Stanley Cup championships: 0

TURK BRODA, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Maple Leafs (1936-52)
Career statistics: 629 GP, 2.53 GAA, SV% NA
Point shares/82: 15.7
Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1942, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951)

TIM HORTON, DEFENSEMAN
NHL career: 24 seasons (1949-74)
Years with Maple Leafs: 20 seasons (1949-70)
Career statistics: 1,445 GP, 115 G, 403 A, +191
Statistics with Maple Leafs: 1,184 GP, 109 G, 349 A, +151
Point shares/82: 7.9
Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1962 1963, 1964, 1967)

TED KENNEDY, CENTER
NHL career: 14 seasons (1942-57)
Career statistics: 696 GP, 230 G, 330 A, +/- NA
Point shares/82: 7.0
Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951)

Bottom line: Maple Leafs Nation is a tough crowd to please, and we won’t do it here. After Turk Broda and Ted Kennedy from the 1940’s dynasty, the fun begins in earnest.

By all rights, the 1960's teams should have a pair of reps as well, but we can’t overlook the talented Mats Sundin and his franchise-best goals and points totals.

To those who prefer either goalie Johnny Bower or center Dave Keon to Tim Horton, a six-time All-Star, two-time Norris Trophy runner-up and rock on the back line, go have another doughnut.

More unkind cuts: center Syl Apps, defenseman Borje Salming.

Vancouver Canucks

Clockwise from top left: Pavel Bure, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin, Markus Naslund

PAVEL BURE, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 12 seasons (1991-2003)
Years with Canucks: 7 seasons (1991-98)
Career statistics: 702 GP, 437 G, 342 A, +42
Statistics with Canucks: 428 GP, 254 G, 224 A, +17
Point shares/82: 10.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

ROBERTO LUONGO, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 19 seasons (1999-present)
Years with Canucks: 8 seasons (2006-14)
Career statistics: 1,044 GP, 2.52 GAA, .919 SV%
Statistics with Canucks: 448 GP, 2.36 GAA, .919 SV%
Point shares/82: 16.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

DANIEL SEDIN, LEFT WING
NHL career: 16 seasons, all with Canucks (1998-2015)
Career statistics: 1,306 GP, 393 G, 648 A, +147
Point shares/82: 7.7
Stanley Cup championships: 0

MARKUS NASLUND, LEFT WING
NHL career: 15 seasons (1993-2009)
Years with Canucks: 12 seasons (1995-2008)
Career statistics: 1,117 GP, 395 G, 474 A, +6
Statistics with Canucks: 884 GP, 346 G, 410 A, +2
Point shares/82: 8.1
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Where’s Henrik, you ask? Can’t have one Sedin twin without the other, right? Well, that’s what we thought at first, too.

But the closer we looked at Markus Naslund, the one-time Pearson Award recipient (NHLPA MVP) who ranked behind only Daniel on the franchise all-time goals list, the more we became convinced of his worth here.

Then again, who can tell if it’s Daniel or Henrik on the mountain, anyway?

Honorable mention: right wing Trevor Linden.

Special mention: defenseman Harold Snepts, the only player to have a song by The Dik Van Dykes garage band written about him.

Washington Capitals

Clockwise from top left: Braden Holtby, Peter Bondra, Alex Ovechkin, Mike Gartner

BRADEN HOLTBY, GOALTENDER
NHL career: 9 seasons, all with Capitals (2010-present)
Career statistics: 420 GP, 2.47 GAA, .918 SV%
Point shares/82: 15.3
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2018)

PETER BONDRA, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 16 seasons (1990-2007)
Years with Capitals: 14 seasons (1990-2004)
Career statistics: 1,081 GP, 503 G, 389 A, +74
Statistics with Capitals: 961 GP, 472 G, 353 A, +74
Point shares/82: 8.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

ALEX OVECHKIN, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 14 seasons, all with Capitals (2005-present)
Career statistics: 1,084 GP, 658 G, 553 A, +94
Point shares/82: 12.4
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2018)

MIKE GARTNER, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 19 seasons (1979-98)
Years with Capitals: 10 seasons (1979-89)
Career statistics: 1,432 GP, 708 G, 627 A, +68
Statistics with Capitals: 758 GP, 397 G, 392 A, +61
Point shares/82: 7.3
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2004)

Bottom line: Peter Bondra or Rod Langway? Forty-plus-goal, six-time All-Star sniper or stay-at-home, two-time Norris Trophy defenseman? We’ll take the goals. Gimme some "Peter Gun," please.

Also considered: defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Scott Stevens.

Almost but not quite: center Nicklas Backstrom, goaltender Olaf Kolzig.

Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers

Clockwise from top left: Dustin Byfuglien, Marian Hossa, Blake Wheeler, Ilya Kovachuk

DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN, DEFENSEMAN/RIGHT WING
NHL career: 14 seasons (2005-present)
Years with Jets: 8 seasons (2011-present)
Career statistics: 869 GP, 177 G, 348 A, -8
Statistics with Jets: 528 GP, 102 G, 261 A, +9
Point shares/82: 9.3
Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2010)

MARIAN HOSSA, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 19 seasons (1997-2017)
Years with Thrashers: 3 seasons (2005-08)
Career statistics: 1,309 GP, 525 G, 609 A, +245
Statistics with Thrashers: 222 GP, 108 G, 140 A, +21
Point shares/82: 10.6
Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2010, 2013, 2015)

BLAKE WHEELER, RIGHT WING
NHL career: 11 seasons (2008-present)
Years with Thrashers/Jets: 9 seasons (2010-present)
Career statistics: 860 GP, 242 G, 454 A, +99
Statistics with Jets: 616 GP, 185 G, 384 A, +57
Point shares/82: 8.4
Stanley Cup championships: 0\

ILYA KOVACHUK, LEFT WING
NHL career: 12 seasons (2001-13, 2018-19)
Years with Thrashers: 8 seasons (2001-10)
Career statistics: 878 GP, 431 G, 417 A, -144
Statistics with Thrashers: 594 GP, 328 G, 287 A, -84
Point shares/82: 10.3
Stanley Cup championships: 0

Bottom line: Normally, two-plus seasons wouldn’t cut it here. "Big Hoss" was the rare exception.

Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovachuk carried the Thrashers to their top two points totals even if they couldn’t save the franchise.

Also in the hunt: defenseman Toby Enstrom, right wing Bryan Little.

Future watch: goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, center Mark Scheifele.