NHL History: The Best Player at Every Number, #91-99
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, the NHL was dominated by the same players. Leading the league in scoring, winning Stanley Cups, consistent hockey, playoff appearances, and appearances on SportsCenter. These players dominated hockey like no other players dominated their sport. The unreal ability of these athletes to do this night in and night out, year after year is stunning when we look back.
The NHL was different back then. The players below would be in the top 10 of scoring every year and show no signs of weakness. This was a time when players would basically get away with anything and yet they would score a hat trick injured. Players were a different breed back then but it does not discount what the amazing players can do now.
Hockey in today’s world has some of the best players in the world playing in the NHL. Yes, times are different in terms of style and physical play but players are just as consistent. Players today can make moves at full speed that players ten years ago could not make. Regardless, the players on this final list are here for a reason, they are the best players to wear a particular number. Those who were not chosen are no less important, just did not produce as much or have the longevity that these players do.
We can all agree that hockey players are the best in the world. The sacrifices they go through to lift Lord Stanely’s Cup at the season’s end are priceless. They give their all and in the end, it is worth the price they paid for 82 games. The game is special, and the players who play the game are special. We should embrace the game of hockey as it has given us so much to be thankful for.
#91 Sergei Fedorov has played with the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, and Columbus Blue Jackets. During his 18-year career, he posted 383 goals and 696 assists for 1,179 points in 1,248 games, along with a +261. In the playoffs, he registered 52 goals and 114 assists for 176 points in 183 contests.
Fedorov led the league in even-strength goals during the 1993-94 season with 39. He scored 4 hat tricks in his career, played in 6 all-star games, won 2 Selke Trophies, won both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award during the 1993-94 season, ranks 8th in NHL history with 36 short-handed goals, and won 3 Stanley Cups.
Fedorov was a player of many talents. Not only could he score with the best players in the league he was also one of the best on defense as well, so much so that he played defenseman a bit later in his career. He was one of the best two-way players in the history of the game.
#92 Rick Tocchet played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes, Playing 18 years he recorded 440 goals and 512 assists for 952 points in 1,144 games, along with 2, 970 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he recorded 52 goals and 60 assists for 112 points in 145 games.
Tocchet scored 14 hat tricks in his career, played in 4 all-star games, and won a Stanley Cup in 1992 with the Penguins.
Tocchet was a player not to be messed with. He was dangerous as he could beat you offensively or with his fists. More of an offensive threat he would always be within 20 feet of the net and score those dirty goals. As a coach he was just as determined and intense as he was as a player, staying in that physical hockey mindset.
#93 Doug Gilmour played for the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, and Montreal Canadiens. Over his 20-year career, he scored 450 goals and 964 assists for 1,414 points in 1,474 games, along with 1,301 penalty minutes. In his playoff career, he posted 60 goals and 128 assists for 188 points in 182 games.
Gilmour recorded 3 hat tricks, played in 2 all-star games, won a Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989, and was awarded the Selke Trophy in 1992-93.
Gilmour was a fierce competitor who laid it all on the line. He was tough to play against because he was shifty, and he could play an intense, physical game. Gilmour was most remembered for his time in Toronto as that time with the Maple Leafs made him the star he grew into being. He retired on September 8, 2003.
#94 Yanic Perreault played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, and Chicago Blackhawks. His career totals include 247 goals and 269 assists for 516 points in 859 games. In the playoffs, he posted 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in 54 games.
Perreault had a career of 14.7 shooting % while scoring 4 hat tricks, 63 power-play goals, and appearing in his only all-star game in the 2007 season.
Perreault was a good, solid second, at times first, line center that contributed in all areas of the ice. A pass-first center he always looked for a teammate instead of shooting the puck. He was smooth in the way he operated with the puck, making any play look flawless.
#95 Matt Duchene has played for the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and Colorado Avalanche. So far in his career, he has posted 294 goals and 394 assists for 698 points in 905 games. His playoff totals are 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 32 games played.
Duchene has scored two hat tricks, played in 2 all-star games, and was named to the 2009-10 NHL all-rookie team.
Duchene could not find his way early into his career but recently has found his groove. He has blossomed into an NHL star, capable of carrying the Predators to that next level. Playing on the top line for most of his career he had managed to be a critical goal scorer wherever he has played. One of the better second-tier players in the league.
#96 Tomas Holmstrom played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings. He played in1,026 games, scoring 243 goals and 287 assists for 530 points. In the playoffs, he contributed 46 goals and 51 assists for 97 points in 180 games. In his career, Holmstrom scored 3 hat tricks and was a 4-time Stanley Cup winner.
Holmstrom was a typical blue-collar hockey player. He was one of the best at deflecting pucks and screening the goalie, all while taking loads of punishment in the crease area. He would take his punishment and come out on top several times, battered and bruised. Holmstrom made a living in front of the net and there were few who could move him out of that area.
Holmstrom was built like a tank and could take punishment in front of the net like a champ, almost like he was brought onto the team for that sole purpose. While he was great at deflecting pucks and making screens some may have forgotten he was also a good passer.
#97 Connor McDavid has only played for the Edmonton Oilers in his career. Playing in 487 games, he has produced 239 goals and 458 assists for 697 points. In his playoff career, he has 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 37 games.
In his career thus far he has scored 11 hat tricks, played in 5 all-star games, and won 4 Art Ross Trophies, 2 Hart Trophies, and 3 Ted Lindsay Awards.
McDavid is the best player in the modern era. He has the ability to take over a game and keep the foot on the gas pedal. His speed translates to most of his success, as he creates turnovers and immediately turns those into scoring chances. On a nightly basis, he is dominant, at times skating through an entire team on his way to creating a scoring chance.
#98 Mikhail Sergachev has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. He has played 362 games so far, compiling 36 goals and 138 assists for 174 points. In the playoffs, Sergachev has registered 8 goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 91 games.
After winning 2 Stanley Cups he has proven himself as a top-tier defenseman in the league. Blessed with the offensive potential he is a bruiser on defense. His two-way game keeps him at the top of his game and keeps defenses guessing. A top-pairing defenseman that makes the game look easy with his approach and his game-by-game mentality.
#99 Wayne Gretzky has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. In the regular season, he has scored 894 goals and 1,963 assists for 2,857 points in 1,487 games, while posting a +520. In the playoffs, he played in 208 games, totaling 122 goals and 260 assists for 382 points, and was a +92.
Gretzky scored an incredible 65 hat tricks in his career, was 2-for-6 on penalty shots, played in 18 all-star games, was the winner of the Hart Trophy 9 times, Lady Byng Trophy 5 times, Art Ross Trophy 10 times, Ted Lindsay Award 5 times, and Conn Smythe Trophy 2 times. He also won 4 Stanley Cups, all with Edmonton.
He is 1st in career goals, 1st in career assists, 1st in career points, 1st in even-strength goals (617), and 1st in short-handed goals with 73.
Holding or sharing 61 NHL records it is clear Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player that ever lived and no other player is close. There is nothing Wayne could not do on or off the ice. Some would say that he is responsible for bringing hockey to San Jose, Anaheim, and Florida. As an all-around professional Gretzky was the best in scoring and keeping the Oilers’ teams in check.
He was captain for many years and he showed why by proving his worth on the ice. When he spoke you listened and he had a way of getting his point across without shouting. A true legend, there will never be another player like Gretzky. He retired on April 16, 1999.