NHL: The Best Player at Every Jersey Number, #71-80
In this week’s best players in NHL history at jersey numbers 71-80, we look at one Hall of Famers and players who flew under the radar.
This group has produced some memorable moments during their NHL careers, but not all players were as highly skilled as some of their teammates. Some of these players are future Hall of Famers and rightfully so, while others will not get a vote but had successful careers.
There are two goaltenders on this list, one current and one retired, both of which are underappreciated, because they did not lead the league in several categories. They played huge roles in their teams’ success and both still play important roles, one on the ice and one off the ice.
The Hall of Famer on this list was one of the very best on the ice at his position. He had a very unusual jersey switch, one that may cause people and fans to not remember his original number.
Here are the best players in NHL history at every number, #71-80.
Hockey players leave an impact on the sport, regardless of stats or championships. One way or another they leave an impact, maybe small in detail but they leave something to the game of hockey.
For some, it’s just playing the game some players have dreamed of this their entire lives, lacing up their first pair of skates shortly after they learn how to walk, or maybe it’s the only moment they shared with their friends or family.
Some of these players will never reach award status or win the Stanley Cup, but just stepping on NHL ice was something they wanted to achieve. A few players on this list will never even play above the 3rd line, but they make an impact because of their role and desire to play that role.
Hockey players come from all races, all backgrounds, and different financial backgrounds. Every story is different but one thing is the same: They meet on a sheet of ice and play the game they love.
Here are the best players in NHL history to wear jersey numbers 71-80.
#71: Evgeni Malkin, Forward
Evgeni Malkin has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording 444 goals and 702 assists for 1,146 points in 981 games.
Malkin has led the league in scoring twice, produced 15 hat tricks, has been an all-star 4 times, and won the 2006/07 Calder Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy twice.
He has also won the 2011/12 Hart Trophy, 2008/09 Conn Smythe Trophy, the 2011/12 Ted Lindsay Award, and is a 3 time Stanley Cup champion. Malkin also registered 67 goals and 109 assists for 176 points in 172 playoff games.
If Malkin played on any other team, he would be one of the biggest stars in the league, however, playing behind Sidney Crosby takes away from what he has accomplished.
Malkin is a force whenever he steps on the ice and makes it known when he is out there. A sure-fire Hall of Famer, there is nothing Malkin has yet to achieve as he has done everything possible in the game.
#72: Sergei Bobrovsky, Goalie
Sergei Bobrovsky has played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Florida Panthers. Bobrovsky has played in 592 NHL games, compiling a record of 336-187-48 with 37 shutouts, a 2.67 GAA, and a .916 save percentage.
Bobrovsky has also won the Vezina Trophy twice and is a 2-time all-star.
The native of Novokuznetsk, USSR has often gone unnoticed because of the goaltending quality across the league. Bobrovsky has played quite well since coming into the NHL, putting the league on notice when he arrived in Columbus.
He is an under-the-radar goaltender who will always rise to the top and play second fiddle to the elite goaltenders of the NHL.
#73: Tyler Toffoli, Forward
Tyler Toffoli has played for the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames.
In 651 games, he has 193 goals and 200 assists for 393 points. In 88 playoff games, he has 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points.
Toffoli has recorded 4 hat tricks, 33 game-winning goals, and a Stanley Cup championship in 2014 with Los Angeles.
He played a key role in the run for the Cup in 2014. He has a knack for scoring crucial goals and coming up huge late in the game. A true sniper, he has played on the top two lines regardless of where he has played. Toffoli plays his best hockey late in the game or in the playoffs.
#74: John Carlson, Defenseman
John Carlson has played for the Washington Capitals. In his 887 NHL games, he has registered 132 goals and 461 assists for 593 points, while posting a career +100. In the playoffs, he has 19 goals and 53 assists for 72 points in 123 games.
Carlson has had quite a career so far. In his career, he has 1,683 blocked shots, and appeared in 3 all-star games, also winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 with Washington.
Carlson has flown under the radar as an offensive defenseman. He does not have a blistering slapshot, but his shot is effective enough for getting through screens and setting up rebounds.
His shot selection is one that does not need to score but to create chances for his teammates. Carlson is excellent in the defensive zone as well, closing the gaps and using his body to dislodge the puck from the opposition.
#75: Ryan Reaves, Forward
Ryan Reaves has played for the Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. So far his NHL totals include 54 goals and 60 assists for 114 points in 755 games.
In his career, Reaves has accumulated 2,601 hits. His role on teams he has been a part of is one that some players do not want to be a part of. Reaves fights, hits, forechecks, and plays a physical style every shift.
He created space for his skilled teammates by assuring them that there will be no funny business while he is on the ice, which has brought him and his teams great success.
#76: P.K Subban, Defenseman
P.K. Subban has played for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils. He has produced 115 goals and 352 assists for 467 points in 843 games. In 96 playoff games, he has 18 goals and 44 assists for 62 points.
Subban has 1,112 blocked shots and 1,044 hits in his NHL career. He has also appeared in 3 all-star games and won the 2012/13 Norris Trophy.
HE and his play have declined a bit, but he remains a force on the blueline. He takes chances in his own zone to create offense for his teammates. He loves to mix it up and play a rough style of hockey, occasionally dropping the gloves.
Offensively, he still produces by playing a regular shift plus power play time. Subban boasts a booming slap shot and passes the puck with accuracy. Defensively, he will do anything to keep the puck out of his net.
#77: Ray Borque, Defenseman
Ray Bourque has played for the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche. In his storied career, he played in 1,612 games, scoring 410 goals and 1,169 assists (4th all-time) for 1,579 points. His +527 ranks 3rd all-time. In 214 playoff games, he has 41 goals and 139 assists for 180 points.
Bourque has one of the more impressive resumes for a defenseman. Bourque is 1-2 on penalty shots, has appeared in 19 all-star games, won 5 Norris Trophies, captured the 1979-80 Calder Trophy, and won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001.
Bourque is a living legend in Boston. He was one of the league’s premier offensive defensemen, ranking 1st in points for a defenseman in NHL history.
The accuracy of his shot is matched by no other and his stick work in the defensive zone is something to see. His work ethic is matched by few and his competition level is off the charts.
#78: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Forward
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, and Vegas Golden Knights. His career totals are 56 goals and 62 assists for 118 points in 587 games. Bellemare also has a career faceoff winning percentage of 51.4 %.
Bellemare is your prototypical 4th-line center, but he does his job so well. Often paired against the top scoring line on the opposing team, he has the ability to shut down a play before it even starts. His speed allows him to get into lanes and get back to break up a scoring chance.
Bellemare is not horrible offensively. as he can create offense while in the offensive zone as well.
#79: Alexi Yashin, Forward
Alexei Yashin played for the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders. He played in 850 NHL games, producing 337 goals and 444 assists for 791 points. He scored 8 hat tricks and was a 3-time all-star.
Yashin was underrated offensively during his time in the NHL. While with the Ottawa Senators, he was as good as any player in the NHL in scoring, having the ability to take over a game any night. While he was not defensively gifted, his offensive production made up for that.
Yashin had a heavy, quick wrist shot that always took the goaltender by surprise. He was a big guy who could skate really well up and down the ice. Yashin was a very good player but rarely gets talked about.
#80: Kevin Weekes, Goalie
Kevin Weekes played for the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in 348 games, compiling a record of 105-163-39, with 19 shutouts, a 2.87 GAA, and a save percentage of .903.
Weekes was not an all-star, Vezina Trophy winner, or a Stanley Cup champion. However, he was a quality NHL goaltender that went out there every start and battled. He never let giving up a goal get to him as he was always ready for the next shot.
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Weekes shifted between starter and backup but he showed up every night ready to win. He kept his teams in most games, never giving up on a play. He was a good, solid netminder, and he retired on September 17, 2009.