Honorable Mention: Theo Fleury (Flames 1988-89-1998-99, Avalanche 1998-99, Rangers 1999-2000-2001-02, Blackhawks 2002-03), Peter Bondra (Capitals 1990-91-2003-04, Senators 2003-04, Thrashers 2005-06, Blackhawks 2006-07), Ziggy Palffy (Islanders 1993-94-1998-99, Kings 1999-2000-2003-04, Penguins 2005-06), Martin St. Louis (Flames 1998-99-1999-2000, Lightning 2000-01-2013-14, Rangers 2013-14-2014-15), Mark Recchi (Penguins 1988-89-1991-92, Flyers 1991-92-1994-95, Canadiens 1994-95-1998-99, Flyers 1998-99-2003-04, Penguins 2005-06, Hurricanes 2005-06, Penguins 2006-07-2007-08, Thrashers 2007-08, Lightning 2008-09, Bruins 2008-09-2010-11)
10. Daniel Alfredsson (Senators 1995-96-2012-13, Red Wings 2013-14: 1,246 Games Played, 444 Goals, 713 Assists, 1,157 Points, 510 Penalty Minutes)
When you think of the Ottawa Senators franchise, one of the first names that comes to mind right away is Daniel Alfredsson. He wasn't the star kinda players like the Yashin's, Spezza's, Chara's, Redden, Hossa or Heatley. But he came to the rink to play every single night. Nobody could really hold a candle to Alfie in Ottawa, he will be forever fondly remembered in that city. He came to the rink and worked hard every single game. He could do a little bit of everything on the ice too. he was responsable in his own defensive end, he could hit, skate pass and shoot. Alfredsson did a little bit of everything and did it all well. There wasn't a select skill set that he excelled in. He could produce with solid regularity, recording at least 50 points in every season in the NHL except for five years. Alfie starting really pumping out the points in 2000-01, scoring 70 points that year. It started a streak of scoring 70 or more points in each and every season, without fail, up until 59 points in 2010-11 stopped that streak. He cracked 100 points just once, hitting 103 points in 2006 and broke the 40 goal barrier twice 2006 and 2008. He was a great leader for the Senators too. Whenever something was going on in Ottawa with the team, good or bad, Alfredsson was there front and center to deal with it. He kept the pressure off his teammates, showing just how great a leader he really was. He also did a fine job representing his country on an international stage. In 15 World tournaments he played 88 games and scored 74 points for Sweden.
He has yet to get inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame but there's a good chance he might get in. He set himself for a fine career never the less. Alfredsson was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1996, the same year he won the Calder Memorial Trophy. Alfredsson played in the All-Star Game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2012. He won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2012 and was named to the NHL All-Star 2nd Team in 2006.
9. Marian Hossa (Senators 1997-98-2003-04, Thrashers 2005-06-2007-08, Penguins 2007-08, Red Wings 2008-09, Blackhawks 2009-10-Present: 1,236 Games Played, 499 Goals, 590 Assists, 1,089 Points, 620 Penalty Minutes)
Anytime somebody mentions the name Marian Hossa, you think of one thing, consistency. he's not as flashy as some of the other wingers that have played the game before him or since he's joined the league. He shows up every night and plays and plays hard. He could do a little bit of everything on the ice. No doubt the skating skills are there. He can pass, has a good accurate shot, Hossa can check. He can pretty much do it all. Talk about consistent. Hossa's hit the 70 point plateau 7 times, reached the coveted 100 point plateau in 2006-2007 (with the Atlanta Thrashers of all teams) and has hit the 80 point plateau twice. Although remarkably he’s never hit the 50 goal plateau. He did make it to the Cup finals three straight years, 2008 with Pittsburgh, 2009 with Detroit and finally won a Cup with the Hawks in 2010. his best point producing years came in 2007 with Atlanta when he hit 100 points even, the only time in his career he's ever done that. Hossa’s always been a key player on every team he’s played for, but usually doesn’t get a ton of credit for that teams success, which is why he doesn't mind being an underrated player in the league.
The only major awards that Hossa has been able to cope during his career has been three Stanley Cup rings, 2010, 2013, and 2015 all with the Blackhawks. I don't think Hossa really minds that. He was named to the All Rookie team in 1999 and a Second All Star team birth in 2009. Hossa has also played in the NHL All Star game in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2012.
8. Jarome Iginla (Flames 1995-96-2012-13, Penguins 2012-13, Bruins 2013-14, Avalance 2014-15-2016-17, Kings 2016-17: 1,353 Games Played, 619 Goals, 672 Assists, 1,291 Points, 1,024 Penalty Minutes)
Talk about a modern day power forward, one of the first names that comes to mind is Jarome Iginla. He can do a little bit of everything, skate shoot, pass, hit, fight. Iginlia can do it all and do it well. Seeing Iginla play, more so in his prime then now, was like watching a combination of Brendan Shanahan and Keith Tkachuk, hoping to match their combination of finesse and physicality. Iginla is most effective when he has room to manoeuvre, and to create that space, he had to intimidate his opponents, which is something he didn't really do early on in his career. But once he did, boy did Iginla's career really take off to another level. Iginla has that knack for scoring the big points when it's needed, and while he never cracked 100 points, he's come closest in 2008 when he recorded 98 points. He's scored at least 50 points in every full season he's played in the league except for three, scoring at least 20 goals every year but three. The guy knows how to put the puck in the back of the net. He's just as comfortable setting up a goal, averaging about 20 assists a year in every pro season except two, He's just that damn good.
During his brilliant career, Iginla has played in six All-Star games, but that's not all his done in his career. Iginla was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1997 and was named a First team All-Star in 2002, 2008, and 2009. Iginla has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2002 and 2004 asnd the Art Ross Trophy in 2002 the same year he won the Lester B. Pearson Award. And to think this is a guy that the Dallas Stars pretty much gave up on. I'd say he's turned in a great career.
7. Alexander Mogilny (Sabres 1989-90-1994-95, Canucks 1995-96-1999-00, Devils 1999-00-2000-01, Maple Leafs 2001-02-2003-04, Devils 2005-06: 990 Games Played, 473 Goals, 559 assists, 1,032 Points, 432 Penalty Minutes)
Who says this guy's afraid to fly, he left a vapor trail! That was a call made by Sabres long time announcer Rick Jeanneret, once to describe a play made by winger Alexandre Mogilny. The guy was a phenominal hockey player, and that's putting it nicely. When he was healty and on his game, there were only a few players in the history of the game who were more pure goal scorers then Mogilny. His best offensive year came in 1993 when he scored 76 goals, a number which nobody has really come close to touching since then, and 127 points. He had a skill set that few could match. An off-wing sniper with elusive skating ability, shiftiness, exceptional puck skills and an arsenal of shots. Mogilny was particularly adept at creating quick-strike offence from his right-wing. He preferred to rush in on his off-wing, make a quick deke into the slot and fire a quick wristshot. If he was covered, Mogilny was more than capable of making crisp accurate passes to an open teammate off the rush to create an unpredictable offence. His two way game got better as his career went on, part of that had to do with the teams he was on, as playing for the Devils will do that to you. Part of it also had to do with injuries taking their toll on him. There were times that Mogilny scored goals that some thought impossible, but he pulled it off nicely and made it look so easy.
Mogilny boasted an impressive trophy case, with a Stanley Cup he won in 2000, and Olympic gold medal in 1988. he's one of the few members of the triple gold club, winning a Stanley Cup in 2000, an Olympic gold in 1988 and a World Championship in 1988. Oh but there's more for Mogilny. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001, and 2003. He was named to the Second All-Star Team in 1993 and 1996 and won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2003. he could do it all and should be in the Hall of Fame.
6. Patrick Kane (Blackhawks 2007-08-Present: 658 Games Played, 251 Goals, 412 assists, 663 points, 252 Penalty Minutes)
One of the best playmakers and goal scorers in hockey today, Patrick Kane has a knack for making the big play when its needed most for the Hawks. Almost every night, Kane makes a highlight-reel worthy pass, or a shot that no one saw coming that rips past several defenders, and through the netminder. That's a big part of Kane's game that makes him so much fun to watch. He plays a free weeling style of hockey that just allows him to make plays and make him a point producer. He's scored at least 20 goals in every season he's played. The lockout shortened season in 2013 was the only year he failed to break 40 assists on the year, as he finished that season with 32. He was the first american born player to lead the National Hockey League in scoring, which he did a season ago. Lets not forget about that 26-game point streak between October and December, during which he tallied 16 goals and 24 assists. This was the longest streak by any US-born skater, and the longest point-streak in Blackhawks history. Him hitting 100 points last year made it the first Blackhawks player to score 100 points in a season since Jeremy Roenick in 1993–94, and the first American NHL player to reach 100 points since Doug Weight in 1995–96. He could do stuff stick handling with a puck that other guys had no business doing, Kane makes it look so easy.
In his nine years in the NHL, Kane has racked up a pretty impressive trophy case. He's won three Stanley Cups in 2010 (scoring the cup winner), 2013 and 2015. But wait there's more. Kane was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team the same year he won the Calder Memorial Trophy, in 2008. He was named to the First NHL All-Star Team in 2009–10 and 2015-16 and played in the All Star game in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013 and he cleaned up in 2016, winning the Art Ross Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy. So far I'd say this kid's had a pretty good career, and the sky is the limit from here.
5. Cam Neely (Canucks 1983-84-1985-86, Bruins 1986-87-1995-96: 726 Games Played: 395 Goals, 299 Assists, 694 Points, 1,241 Penalty Minutes)
He wasn't called Bam Bam Cam for nothing. Nobody, and I mean nobody, defined what a power forward was supposed to be more then Cam Neely. He will go down in the books as one of the greatest open ice hitters to ever play the game of hockey! While he was playing Vancouver, he wasn't able to really find his game. At least not the offensive side. Once he got to Boston, all of that changed. He became a goal scoring threat, hitting the magic 50 goal mark three times during his time in Beantown. Its just tragic the way his career was ended. Neely had hip and knee problems all coming from Game three of the 1991 Prince of Wales Conference Finals. Neely was checked by Ulf Samuelsson, and injured on the play, and was hit again to the knee in game 6. Compounding the situation was the fact that Neely developed myositis ossificans in the injured area. The injury kept Neely out of all but 22 games of the next two seasons, and Neely would only play 162 NHL games for the remainder of his career after the hit because of knee trouble. But the guy could do a little bit of everything, and his physical play helped take care of a lot of that. As amazing of a goal scorer that he was, lighting the lamp did not define Cam Neely. He was the ultimate power forward of his time. His hands were as soft as a feather when he handled the puck, yet hard as a rock when handled an enemy. Defensemen feared going back into their corner to chase a loose puck knowing Neely was right behind them. As a forechecker he was relentless and imposing. He was an insane body checker and a dangerous fighter. Through his physical play he set the tone of games.
Still the greatest power forward to ever play the game, its just kind of sad he never won a Stanley Cup, making it to the finals twice with the Bruins in 1988 and 1990. Boston lost both series to the Edmonton Oilers. Still he had a fine career, one that landed him in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005. During his career, Neely was named to the Second-Team All-Star in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1994. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey in 1994. If it wasn't for a guy like Cam Neely, I don't think most of the Power Forwards that played the game would have played that way. Neely brought in a whole new generation of players and playing style.
4. Pavel Bure (Canucks 1991-92-1997-98, Panthers 1998-99-2001-02, Rangers 2001-02-2002-03: 702 Games Played, 437 Goals, 342 Assists, 779 Points, 484 Penalty Minutes)
The Russian Rocket more then lived up to his name during his career. Bure is nicknamed the Russian Rocket because of his incredible speed. Few players could match his foot speed, but what makes Bure so special is he could carry the puck at top speed. When he had the puck on his stick, he could do magic with it. There were times he would stickhandle through the entire opposing team for a great scoring chance. Sometimes it drove his teammates crazy, but that's just how he did things. He was a bit of a selfish player yes, but he was able to pull the fans out of their seats with his headlong rushes. What made this guy was his foot speed, which could really only be matched by a guy like Sergei Federov. Pavel played the game with reckless abandon, particularly if he sensed an opportunity to crash to the net and score a goal. He was seemingly fearless even after injuries began taking their toll on his body. Bure has been described as a pure goal scorer and is statistically among the top players in NHL history in that regard. In addition to having reached the 50-goal mark in his career five times and the 60-goal mark twice, his .623 goals per game average is third among the top 100 goal scorers in NHL history, behind Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux. He scored 50 or more goals five times, two of those years were 60 goal seasons.
The closest the Russian Rocket ever got to winning a Stanley Cup was in 1994 when the Canucks fell in seven games to the Rangers. Bure has his name all over the record books for both the Canucks and Panthers including single season marks for goals and points. Bure won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992 as well as the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2000 and 2001 (led the league in goals in 1994, prior to trophy's creation). He was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2001, was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1994 and the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2000 and 2001.
3. Teemu Selanne (Jets 1992-93-1995-96, Ducks 1995-96-2000-01. Sharks 2000-01-2002-03, Avalanche 2003-04, Ducks 2005-06-2013-14: 1,451 Games Played, 684 Goals, 773 Assists, 1,457 Points 660 Penalty Minutes)
This guy wasn't called the Finnish Flash for nothing. Selanne will go into the books as one of the quickest skaters to ever play the game. He used that speed to his advantage, evading opposing defneders without much effort. He's one of those snipers that can put the puck on net because he finds openings and he knows where to be on the ice. An elite offensive player, Selänne is the highest scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history. He ended his career with the 11th most goals in league history and the 15th most points in league history at the time he retired.. His 110 game-winning goals tied him with Brett Hull for fourth all-time. Selänne is one of eight players to score 70 or more goals in one season. He holds numerous records, including most goals, 76, and points, 132, by a rookie. When he bursted onto the scene in Winnipeg with those 76 goals, he really set the standard for all modern goal scorers. A mark which nobody has come close to since. He's the last guy (along with Alex Mogilny) to hit that 70 goal mark in a season. He broke the 100 mark three times, once with the Jets and twice with the Ducks. He seemed to kickstart the second stage of his career after resting his injured knee during the lockout and came back showing flashes of his former self in his second go around in Anaheim.
Selanne has racked up a pretty impressive trophy case during his career. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992–93 and was elected to the All-Rookie Team that year as well. He's also been named a First Team All Star in 1992-93 and 1996–97, while being named to the Second Team All-Star in 1997–98, and 1998–99. He has played in NHL All-Star Game in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2007. Selanne won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2005–06.
2. Brett Hull (Flames 1986-87-1987-88, Blues 1987-88-1997-98, Stars 1998-99-2000-01, Red Wings 2001-02-2003-04, Coyotes 2005-06: 1,269 Games Played, 741 Goals, 650 Assists, 1,391 Points, 458 Penalty Minutes)
One of the biggest and best things that the Golden Brett had going for him was, when he broke into the NHL,he was considered by many to be a one dimensional player. All he could do was shoot the puck intro the back of the net. He seemed to have no real interest in backchecking or playing defense. Some years he was a plus player, while in others he was a minus. His goal scoring explioits, more early on in his career as compared to later in his career, more than made up for it. Hull was also knocked for not being able to win the big one, St Louis couldn't really do much with him in the lineup during the post season. He couldn't win the big one until he got to Dallas, where he started to play more defense. Last, one of the biggest knocks on the Golden Brett was his mouth, but really that was more entertaining then anything. Hull earned a reputation on and off the ice for speaking bluntly and without regard for whom it might offend. Again, his mouth could be overlooked by his goal scoring exploits. He had three years of 70 or more goals, from 1989-90 through 1991-92. He never scored less then 25 goals a year in any full year he played in the league. By the time we turned the century, his goal scoring exploits had gone down, but he was still a consistent threat no matter where he went in his career. Hull was the second-fastest (behind Wayne Gretzky) to reach 700 goals, doing so in 1,157 games.
Hull has his name all over the record books in both Blues and league history, and he's got a pretty good trophy case as well. He won a Stanley Cup in 1999 with Dallas, a gold medal in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, two Olympic Silver Medals and was inducted into the Hockey hall of Fame in 2009. He's also done so much more. Hull was named a First Team All-Star in 1989–90, 1990–91, and 1991–92. He walked away with the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1989–90 and bagged the Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award in 1990-91. Finally, Hull played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2001. ONe of the purest goal scorers of this generation, Hull will go down as one of the greatest players to step foot on the ice in the NHL.
1. Jaromir Jagr (Penguins 1990-91-2000-01, Capitals 2001-02-2003-04, Rangers 2003-04-2008-09, Flyers 2011-12, Stars 2012-13, Bruins 2012-13, Devils 2013-14-2014-15, Panthers 2014-15-Present: 1,711 Games Played, 765 Goals, 1,149 Assists, 1,914 Points, 1,157 Penalty Minutes)
He's nowhere nearly as dynamic a player now as he was at the start of his career, but other then Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, there was no greater offensive threat to play the great sport of hockey then Jaromir Jagr. That man could do things with the puck on his stick that looked almost impossibly. Sometimes I often wondered whether or not the man was actually human or not. I've seen that man be able to stickhandle his way out of a phone booth, that's the kind of skill level we're talking about here. There was a twenty year stretch in league history where the NHL scoring crown changed hands between three guys, Wayne, Mario, and Jaromir. That's domination of a sport if I've ever seen it. Jagr uses a patient style that works well with his size and reach. He uses his creativity and control to great effect. He may not have had the greatest all around game, but nobody could really touch him in terms of offensive skills. And he's still being a productive player at age 45. The fact that he's still going is flat out remarkable. Jagr may try and play until he cracks the 2,000 career point mark. Now look at the numbers above for what Jagr has done during his career. Impressive right? Just a reminder that he also missed three years of NHL play because he went over to play in the KHL in Russia. I really do wonder what his numbers would have looked like had he stayed in the NHL those three years and not gone over to play in Europe.
Jagr has a trophy case that most people only dream of. He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Jagr won the Art Ross Trophy in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 and picked up the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1999 (which is a shame he didn't win more). Jagr also picked up the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1999, 2000, and 2006 as well as the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2016. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1991, a First All-Star Team selection in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2006, while being named to the Second All-Star Team in 1997. Finally, Jagr played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2016. There's no doubt that by the time all's said and done, Jagr is getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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