Top 10 Best NHL Players of the 20th Century

The 20th century was packed with great NHL players, from Maurice Richard to Wayne Gretzky. The National Hockey League began in 1917 and slowly rose to prominence.

Before the 20th century ended, the NHL had produced many amazing players and Hall of Famers. The question today is, which one do you think is the best?

The Top Ten

  1. Bobby Orr

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a defenceman and is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Orr revolutionized the position with his offensive skills and won numerous awards, including two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins... read more

    I know almost everyone won't agree with me that Orr is the best NHL player of the 20th century. But he was so effective both offensively and defensively that it's hard to put Gretzky ahead of him because Gretzky couldn't play defense that well.

    He's got so many offensive achievements even though he was a defenseman. Here are some of his NHL records:

    - Most points by an NHL defenseman, with 139 (That's already insanely tough even if you're a forward!)

    - Most assists by an NHL defenseman, with 102.

    - Most 100-plus point seasons by an NHL defenseman.

    - Highest plus-minus in an NHL season, with 124 (This record just proves that he's better than Gretzky for me).

    These are my reasons he deserves 1st.

  2. Wayne Gretzky

    Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999 and is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Gretzky also served as head coach of the Phoenix... read more

    How could I not put him second if I'm putting Orr first? Even though he was missing the defensive aspect of the game, he was incredibly offensive!

    In 1981-82, he had the most goals in an NHL season, with a whopping 92! His stats just show how extraordinary he really was, but without that defense, I just couldn't put him first.

  3. Mark Messier

    Mark John Douglas Messier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 25 seasons in the National Hockey League. He is best known for his time with the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. Messier is a six-time Stanley Cup champion and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007... read more

    Another greatly dedicated player to the game. An award was named after him, the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which is awarded to the NHL player that leads by example on the ice, motivates his teammates, and is dedicated to community activities and charitable causes.

    He was also an amazing point scorer, with the third most points by any NHL player, behind Jagr and Gretzky.

  4. Gordie Howe

    Gordon "Gordie" Howe OC (March 31, 1928 - June 10, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. From 1946 to 1980, he played twenty-six seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known as "Mr. Hockey," he was one of the sport's greatest players and a key figure in the NHL's history.

    Gordie Howe was just phenomenal! He played a massive 26 NHL seasons, with 1,767 games played! I had to put him third just because of his dedication to the game, and he was a great player also.

    So because of those two facts, I'm putting him third, and I think he greatly deserves it! Rest in peace, Mr. Hockey!

  5. Mario Lemieux

    Mario Lemieux is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played parts of 17 National Hockey League seasons with the team from 1984 to 2006. He assumed ownership of the Penguins in 1999 and maintained a leadership role in the organization until... read more

    Super Mario, in my opinion, was the only NHL player in the 20th century that was remotely close to Gretzky's offensive skills. He didn't even play 1,000 games, and he had over 1,700 points.

    I mean, doesn't that look like Gretzky stats? I also really love how the Penguins couldn't pay him enough money, so they gave him the franchise! Anyway, absolutely amazing offensive player who has already gone down in history.

  6. Jaromír Jagr

    Another player with great dedication to the game. He almost surpassed Gordie Howe for most games played, with 1,733. He needed only 35 more games in the NHL to pass Howe.

    In my opinion, the best NHL player born outside of North America! I hope he keeps on playing in lower leagues for a long time.

  7. Ray Bourque

    Ray Bourque was amazing! He got so many shots on goal. He has the record for most shots in one game in the NHL, with 19 (that's incredibly hard to do). He also has the most shots by one player in the NHL all-time.

    So it's unsurprising when you hear that he leads NHL defensemen for most points, with 1,579. In my opinion, the second-best NHL defenseman of all time.

  8. Dominik Hasek

    Dominik Hašek (born January 29, 1965) is a Czech former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators. During his time with the Sabres, he established himself as one of the... read more

    Hasek was an absolutely amazing goaltender. He holds the NHL record for highest save percentage, with .922, and also has the most games played in the NHL as a European-born goalie, with 735.

    He really was the reason Detroit won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008. In my opinion, the best NHL goaltender of all time.

  9. Steve Yzerman

    Stephen Gregory Yzerman (born May 9, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who currently serves as the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. He spent his entire 22-season NHL playing career with the Red Wings.... read more

    One thing I really like about Yzerman is the fact that during his time in the NHL, he only ever played for the Detroit Red Wings. Another awesome fact about him is that he is the longest-serving captain for a team in NHL history (19 seasons, 1,303 games).

    He continues his NHL career, but not as a player, as the General Manager and Vice President of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

  10. Patrick Roy

    Patrick Jacques Roy is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and former head coach and vice president of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche, winning four Stanley Cups during his career. Roy is widely regarded... read more

    It might seem surprising that Roy only won the Vezina Trophy three times, but during the time when he played, there were a lot of amazing goaltenders. I think he's the main reason he won all four of the Stanley Cups he won.

    He was an amazing NHL goaltender who I think was and is underrated, but I do think he deserves to be at least 10th on this list.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Ted Lindsay

  12. ?

    Pavel Bure

    13. The Contenders

  13. Maurice Richard

    Joseph Henri Maurice "Rocket" Richard was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a single season and won eight Stanley Cups with the team.

  14. Mike Bossy

    Michael Dean Bossy was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders. He was one of the league's most prolific goal scorers and played a central role in the Islanders' four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983. Bossy was inducted... read more

  15. Paul Coffey

  16. Bob Gainey

  17. Phil Esposito

  18. Bryan Trottier

  19. Marcel Dionne

  20. Bobby Hull

    Robert Marvin Hull, OC (January 3, 1939 - January 30, 2023), was a Canadian professional ice hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Known as The Golden Jet, Hull was celebrated for his speed, powerful slap shot, and offensive skill.... read more

  21. Eric Lindros

  22. Brett Hull

  23. Guy Lafleur

  24. Larry Robinson

  25. Tim Horton

  26. Joe Sakic

    Joseph Steven Sakic (born July 7, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played his entire 21-season National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche franchise. Sakic currently serves as the president of hockey operations for the... read more

  27. Ken Dryden

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