NHL: The Best Player at Every Number, #1-10

The NHL is full of talent and colorful characters. One thing that is special is the jersey numbers the players wear. Some of the numbers have meaning while others are just numbers that were available.

The logo on the front means more than the name on the back but when you take into effect how many special players there are, and were, we look at the number and immediately associate that number with a player.

Throughout the history of the game, we can say a jersey number and automatically get a response, good or bad. We have our reasonings and we live by that belief. There have been many special players who have worn the same jersey number and we decide who was better based on our ways of thinking.

Here are the best NHL players at every number, starting with 1-10.

In the Hockey Hall of Fame, players are covered wall to wall because of their accomplishments. We see their greatness and relive our memories of that player, and also find out information we never knew. Behind those players are numbers that will be forever tagged to their greatness and we should appreciate that.

In this 10-part series, we look at every number worn in the NHL and the players who wore them. Not only the players who wore them but the best players ever to wear that specific number.

There will be debate, and that is welcomed, because sports topics should be discussed. We look at Hall of Famers, role players, and players who some may have forgotten about.

We will have #’s 1-10 then #’s 11-20 and so on. Included are the career stats of that player, the teams they played for, and in a sentence or two, why they specifically were chosen.  This is going to be a fun series and one that encourages feedback, because I would like to see your list.

#1: Jacques Plante, Goalie

Jacques Plante played 18 years for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins, while also playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.

During his 18-year playing career, Plante posted a record of 437-246-145 with a .920 save percentage and a 2.38 GAA.

Plante played in 8 all-star games and was a seven-time Vezina Trophy winner, a Hart Trophy winner, and a six-time Stanley Cup Champion.

The best goaltender in NHL history comes with many accolades that are well-earned. A goaltender that faced some of the best shooters in NHL history, Plante will never be forgotten. He played a simple, yet aggressive, game that got the attention of the opposition.

#2: Brian Leetch, Defense

Brian Leetch also played 18 years for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. During his amazing career, he posted 247 goals and 781 assists for 1,028 points and was a +25. He also scored 111 power play goals in his career.

Leetch appeared in 9 all-star games, won the Norris Trophy twice, won the Calder Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy, plus enjoyed a memorable Stanley Cup Trophy win that still has people talking.

Leetch is one of the better offensive defensemen in history. He is also part of one of the most storied and talked about Stanley Cup-winning teams. Not the fastest skater, Leetch let his play speak for itself as he became one of the NHL’s best defensemen in the offensive category.

#3: Tim Horton, Defense

Tim Horton played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He played in seven all-star games and won four Stanley Cups during his 24-year playing career, something that you do not see every day.

In those 24 years, he appeared in 1,445 games, recording 115 goals and 403 assists for 518 points. A defenseman that got next to no recognition, Horton played hard every night in the NHL.

Horton was a steady, yet tough, defenseman who always played the game physically. He was a good, all-around player who contributed to every aspect of the game. One of the better defensive defensemen of his era, he played with pride knowing he was doing his best to help the team win.

#4: Jean Beliveau, Forward

Jean Beliveau played his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens. He played in 13 all-star games, won the Art Ross Trophy, was a two-time Hart Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner, and won 10 Stanley Cups.

He played 1,125 NHL games, scoring 507 goals and 712 assists for 1,219 points while posting a +117. He was underrated for most of his career but he posted numbers that caught your eye.

One of the most liked players in NHL history, he was one of the earliest and best all-around players. He was known for his consistency and not shying away from protecting a teammate. Beliveau never wanted recognition for playing the game he loved, but he was one of the best.

#5: Nicklas Lidstrom, Defense

Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings appeared in 1,564 games, all with Detroit. He was very productive, scoring 264 goals, and 878 assists for 1,142 points and was a career +450.

He played in 11 all-star games and won a Conn Smythe Trophy, plus four Stanley Cups. That’s not bad for someone who was picked in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft

He was a silent assassin, not one for chirping but always was a prolific scorer with his play, which is why Lidstrom is one of the top five defensemen of all time. He was not flashy by any means as he just went out and did his job as he thought it should be done.

#6: Tow Blake, Forward

Toe Blake spent his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens. During that time he won a Hart Trophy, a Lady Byng Trophy, and three Stanley Cups. His playing career lasted 577 games, with 235 goals and 294 assists for 529 points.

As a coach, again for the Canadiens, he was just as successful. Blake coached a total of 13 years, winning 500 games, losing 255, and tying 159. His 500 career wins rank 28th in league history.

Blake is one of the few people in hockey who has won both as a coach and as a player. His 500 wins were something nobody thought would happen, but he proved people wrong by not listening to skeptics and allowing his players to play under his style of play.

#7: Rod Gilbert, Forward

Rod Gilbert played his entire career for the New York Rangers, scoring 406 goals and 615 assists for 1,021 points and 52 game-winning goals in 1,065 games. Gilbert also contributed in the playoffs, scoring 67 points (34 goals and 33 assists) in 79 games.

He appeared in 8 all-star games, was voted to two all-star teams (one first-team and one second-team), and won a Bill Masterton Trophy during his career.

A player that often got lost in the shuffle, he went quietly on to a fabulous playing career as one of the best Rangers players ever. He played with an edge but never recorded a 100 penalty minute season in his career. Nearly 300 of his career goals were at even strength.

#8: Igor Larionov, Forward

Igor Larionov, “the professor”, played his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils. He would play in 921 NHL games, contributing 169 goals and 475 assists for 644 points and was a +104.

Larionov appeared in one all-star game (1998) but won three Stanley Cups along the way. His 16.2 career shooting percentage ranks 90th in league history. Larionov also had 474 penalty minutes, something one may not think of due to his calm style of play and his small size.

Like Lidstrom, he made his play on the ice speak for him. He was a smooth passer and made the best defensemen look like rookies. Larionov was another player who went out and quietly did his job.