Legends on Ice: Unveiling the Greatest Players in NHL History

The National Hockey League, also known as NHL, is an Ice Hockey League well famous in the United States of America and Canada. NHL is the top highest-ranking professional ice hockey league worldwide. NHL has placed among the four most significant sports leagues professionally played in the United States and Canada. However, any multi players sports are bland without excellent players. This article is all about the greatest players in NHL history, and you might also find your favorites in this list.

If you are a fan of the National Hockey League and love to keep the details of the greatest players in NHL history, this article is perfect. We have accumulated all the hooks and nooks about the players in one single article. Hence, this will keep you updated with the details you may need or were already craving. 

The NHL is a professional league with a total of 32 teams, 25 in the United States of America and 7 in Canada. The massive number of teams includes many players, too, but we all know we are more interested in the greatest players in NHL history. This article will update you about the five greatest players in NHL and their life.

5 Greatest Players in NHL History

The players below mentioned are the greatest because of their achievements in their professional life.

• Sid Abel ( February 22, 1918 - February 8, 2000)

He was a Canadian player, a Hall of Fame hockey coach, and a general manager in the NHL itself. He was a member of the teams that won the Stanley Cup thrice in 1943, 1950, and 1952.  He is well famous for his performance in Detroit Red Wings.

Achievements:

1. First Team all-star of the NHL 2 times. First in 1949 and second in 1950.
2. Second team all-star of the NHL 2 times. First in 1942 and 1951.
3. Champion of the Stanley Cup thrice. In the years 1943, 1950, and 1952.
4. Winner of Hart Memorial Trophy in 1949.
5. Abel last wore the 12-number jersey of the Detroit Red Wings, and the jersey retired on April 29, 1995.
6.  Abel secured his place in the 100 Greatest NHL player in 2017.

• Guy Lafleur (September 20, 1951 – April 22, 2022)

Guy Damien Lafleur, also known as “the Flower,” was a professional ice hockey player and Canadian by nationality. In the NHL’s history, he was the only first player to have scored 50 goals in 6 straight seasons. The Hall of Fame inducted him in the year 1988.

Lafleur is famous for winning the Stanley Cup five times. His score of 1,353 points is still ranked 27th and praised in NHL history.

Achievements:

1. Five times the winner of the Stanley Championship. In the years 1973,1976, 1977- 1979.
2. Thrice won the Art Ross Trophy in 1976, 1977, and 1978.
3. Winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy twice, in 1977 and 1978.
4. Three times winner of the Lester B. Pearson Trophy. In 1976, 1977, and 1978
5. Six times the winner of First-time All-star Right Winger. 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980.
6. Winner of Conn Smythe Trophy in 1977.
7. Seven times winner of Molson Cup, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982.

• Max Bentley (March 1, 1920 – January 19, 1984) 

Max Lloyd was a renowned Canadian professional ice hockey player. In his professional period at NHL, which lasted for 20 years, he played for 3 ice hockey teams. He was the highest scorer in NHL consecutively twice in a row.

Bently was one of the brothers among the renowned six hockey-playing brothers at that time. He made history in NHL when he played the leagues with his brothers.

Achievements:

1. Art Ross Trophy winner twice, 1946, 1947.
2. Winner of First All-star Team Centre in 1947.
3. Winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1946.
4. The winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1943.
5. Winner of second All-star team Centre in 1947.
6. Champion of Stanley Cup thrice, 1948, 1949, and 1951.

• Wayne Gretzky (January 26, 1961)

Wayne Gretzky is an ex-ice hockey player and a coach, Canadian by nationality. He owns the nickname “ The Great One.” He has played for four different teams in 20 seasons of the NHL. The four teams are St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings. Currently, he is the highest scorer among all players in the history of the NHL.

He scored 200+ points in a season and maintained it for four consecutive seasons. Hence, the title of "The Great One" is very appropriate.

Achievements:

1. Nine times winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy, 198087, and 1989.
2. Four times the Lady Byng Trophy winner, 1980, 1991, 1994, and 1999.
3. Six times the Lester B. Pearson Award winner, 1981-85, and 1987.
4. Ten times winner of Art Ross Trophy, 1981-87, 1990, 1991, and 1994
5. Four times Champion of the Stanley Cup, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
6. Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy twice, in 1985 and 1988.
7. He was initiated into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

•  Sidney Crosby (born August 7, 1987)

Sidney Patrick Crosby is known as “ Sid the Kid” and “ The Next One.” He is a professional Canadian ice hockey player and the current captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. Crosby was selected first overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the Penguins.

He has already successfully established himself before his 30s. However, he is undoubtedly going to become a legend soon.

Achievements:

1. Winner of Hart Memorial Trophy twice, 2007 and 2014.
2. Four times the winner of Best NHL Player in 2010, 2013, and 2014. 
3. Four times winner of Ted Linsay Award, 2007, 
4. Winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2010.
5. Winner of the Messier Leadership Award in 2010.
6. Twice the winner of the Art Ross  Trophy, 2007 and 2014.

Where to watch National Hockey League? 

Who likes watching the great matches of the NHL on a big screen? It is quite evident that if you read this article, you are indeed an NHL fanatic. Being such a fan, how can you miss out on watching your favorite player along with other great NHL players in live action? 

The NHL matches are legally broadcasted on channels like ABC, ESPN, TBS, ESPN2, and TNT. However, to access these channels, you need a cable connection or subscription; both come with a fixed and compulsory price. 

If you want free sources to watch the NHL, then look up the NHL Reddit stream on Sportsurge. Our platform provides high-quality streaming. 

FAQs

1. Who is the greatest NHL player in history

Ans: Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player in NHL history, with unmatchable professional achievements.

2. Who are the remarkable rivalries in NHL?

Ans: Detroit VS Chicago Black Hawks, Edmonton OIiers VS Calgary Flames, and lastly, The Boston Bruins VS Montreal Canadiens.

3. Which team won most of the Stanley Cups? 

Ans: Montreal Canadiens won most o the Stanley Cups, with a record of 24 titles.

Conclusion 

National Hockey League is undoubtedly one of the most significant leagues in the USA and Canada. Hence the players are the most vital element of this whole league. This article has mentioned the five greatest players in NHL history and how to stream the matches. 

All of this is based on in-depth research and proven facts to make you update bout BHL. We hope we are successful in our motive behind this article.