NHL: The Best Player at Every Number, #51-60

Greatness in the NHL depends on who you talk to. Several fans have several opinions, and it is easy to make arguments for different players.

In terms of popularity, the positions most likely rank centers, goaltenders, wings, then defensemen. Defensemen have the second-hardest job in professional hockey but get the least recognition.

The history of hockey has had the best defensemen in the world, yet when it comes to the credit, they come last.

The job of a hockey defenseman is that of blocking shots, getting the puck to the forwards, clearing the front of the net, and so much more. There is a lot of skill and a lot of toughness in that position, one that often sees the players risk the most for a win.

Here are the best players in NHL history to wear numbers 51-60.

In this edition of the greatest players by jersey number, we look at the best to wear jersey numbers 51-60, including some of the game’s best defensemen, along with some very good forwards.

The defensemen on this list are capable of playing complete games. Not only do they concentrate on their own end, but the players listed also have the capabilities of breaking the game wide open with offensive production.

Some of these blueliners are not only good, two-way players but they are leaders in their respective teams as well, some even captains. The two forwards that are in the #51-60 grouping also have had big moments in their careers, playing some important roles in their team’s success as well.

The only goaltender in this grouping is one of the few goaltenders that caught right-handed and actually had success.

While we are at the halfway point of this series, we have seen many great players, but rest assured we have many more great players to see.

The pro hockey world is filled with great players that may be on this list in the future but for now, we dial in the greatness that these players are filled with. Enjoy the greatest players to wear #’s 51-60.

#51: Brian Campbell, Defense

Brian Campbell played for the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Florida Panthers. During his 17-year career, he played in 1,082 games,  posting 87 goals and 417 assists for 504 points.

He has 159 career powerplay points to his record, along with 4 all-star games, a 2011/12 Lady Byng Trophy, and a 2010 Stanley Cup championship with the Blackhawks.

An offensive defenseman, Campbell played the position with a steady, calm presence. His crisp passing allowed his teammates to get chances and his poise with the puck gave him the patience to wait for an open teammate to get in position.

Defensively, he was sound but nothing to write home about. He was positionally good and had the veteran know-how of when to play the puck and when to stick to his man.

Overall, he was a good defenseman who had good offensive numbers that contributed on both ends of the ice. He ultimately retired on July 17, 2017.

#52: Adam Foote, Defense

Adam Foote played with the Colorado Avalanche, Quebec Nordiques, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

His career totals include 66 goals and 242 assists for 308 points and 1,534 penalty minutes in 1,154 games spread over 19 years. Foote averaged 23:36 of ice time over his career and won 2 Stanley Cups.

Foote was a nasty, physical presence on the blueline. He was always in the middle of scrums and would not hesitate to not only get rough but to be the first to initiate as well. Foote was always prepared to take on anyone willing and did his job well.

When it came to defense, he was aggressive and would not give an inch in the defensive zone. The opposition would have to earn that ice, and Foote would meet them head-on when they skated over the blueline. Foote retired on April 8, 2011.

#53: Derek Morris, Defense

Derek Morris played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins.

His career would see him play 1,107 NHL games, scoring 92 goals and 332 assists for 424 points, and also added 1,004 penalty minutes. Morris was named to the 1997/98 NHL all-rookie 1st team.

Morris was a defenseman who was not an elite defenseman but did very well. A powerplay quarterback, he would often shoot, not to score, but to get tips, rebounds, and screens. He did not have blazing speed but he was quick enough to create chances offensively.

Defensively, Morris was aggressive enough to keep the opposition honest and on their toes while in the defensive zone. He was a good, all-around defenseman who had a good work ethic and had a solid game.

#54: Adam McQuaid, Defense

Adam McQuaid played for the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers. He accumulated 16 goals and 57 assists for 73 points and 694 penalty minutes in 512 games. He won a Stanley Cup with the 2011 Boston Bruins.

In a career that was cut too short and that was filled with promise, McQuaid was a tough customer which made it very uneasy for the opposition. One of the better body checkers of the Bruins, he was eager to lay the body whenever someone crossed the blueline.

McQuaid was good defensively and also would skate into the neutral zone to disrupt the setup of the opposition. McQuaid loved to play the physical style, giving away free face washes at every scrum.

Offensively, he had a really good shot from the point that was not used nearly enough. That shot was used when there were players setting screens and in position for deflections. McQuaid was not a small man but one who loved to play the game.

#55: Keith Primeau, Forward

Keith Primeau played for the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Philadelphia Flyers. The 6-foot-5 and 220-pound center played 909 games, scoring 266 goals and 353 assists for 619 points. He also had 1,541 penalty minutes and was a career +124.

Primeau scored 2 hat tricks and played in 2 all-star games. Although he was as big as a truck, he glided along the ice with his smooth skating. He was a complete player, as he would score big goals, take care of his defensive zone, fight, and play a physical game.

Primeau was very agile for his size and could skate like the wind. Very underrated for the things he could do, he was overshadowed by even his own teammates and their success. He retired on September 14, 2006.

#56: Sergei Zubov, Defense

Sergei Zubov played for the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and Pittsburgh Penguins. His career stats include 1,068 games, 152 goals, 619 assists, and 771 points, along with a +148.

Zubov appeared in  3 all-star games, was voted onto the 2005/06 NHL all-star second team, and won 2 Stanley Cups.

He is one of the more underrated offensive defensemen in league history. He was a smooth skater, had a bullet pass, shot the puck with accuracy, and played a 200-foot game.

Zubov also played a critical part in the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup, scoring 19 points in 22 games to go along with a +20. He ranks 20th in league history for points among defensemen.

#59: Roman Josi, Defense

Roman Josi has played only for the Nashville Predators in his career, playing 760 games while producing 140 goals and 402 assists for 542 points.

He has 1,422 blocked shots, getting no less than 73 during any season. He also has 3 all-star game appearances and was awarded the 2019/20 Norris Trophy.

Josi is the Nashville Predators. He is the main contributor offensively, he plays an aggressive yet sound defensive game and is the Predators’ captain. Josi has done everything and more since his arrival and still does not get the attention he deserves.

When it is all said and done, he will be the greatest player to ever play for the Predators organization, and he is a defenseman.

#60: Jose Theodore, Goalie

Jose Theodore played for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers. Theodore played in 648 NHL games and his record stands at 286-254-39.

Theodore was a beast during the 2001/02 season, racking up the Hart Trophy and leading the league in save percentage with a .931. Theodore also won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2009/10 and has 40 career points on his resume, while appearing in 2 all-star games.

Theodore was better than his record indicates. He played on some poor defensive teams that hurt his record and GAA.

He was a competitive goalie who always kept his team in the game even if the team was not playing well. He was one of the better goaltenders to come out of the Quebec goaltending factory.