Throughout the history of the NHL, it’s forwards that have drawn in the crowds, sold the most jerseys, and put up those decisive goals.
There are many contenders for a place in the top ten forwards in NHL history, with arguments such as the rate of scoring in each era being valid.
Greatest Forwards In NHL History
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Wayne Gretzky
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Mark Messier
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Gordie Howe
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Mario Lemieux
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Mike Bossy
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Jaromir Jágr
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Phil Esposito
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Marcel Dionne
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Brett Hull
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Steve Yzerman
Still, to narrow down this list, active players still establishing their legacies have been left out, with these being our picks for the NHL’s top ten forwards of all time. Find out more about each selection further down.
Wayne Gretzky (1978-1999)
Without a shadow of a doubt, Wayne Gretzky was not only the greatest forward in NHL history, but he was also the best player ever to grace the ice.
Even when you consider the high-scoring era of his prime, “The Great One” was still leagues above his contemporaries, setting a series of unbreakable records, including for point streaks, points, goals, assists, and Hart Trophy wins.
Now, at his former team, Connor McDavid is hailed as the modern reincarnation of Gretzky, with his absurd rate of scoring placing the Edmonton Oilers at +1300 in the ice hockey odds to win the Stanley Cup.
Mark Messier (1979-2004)
With the third-most games played (1756), ninth-most goals scored (694), third-most assists (1193), and third-most points (1887), Mark Messier will forever stand among the top forwards in NHL history.
Adding to Messier’s legacy is his 295 postseason points haul, which is good for second of all-time by a clear 62 points, as well as “Moose’s” five Stanley Cups with the Oilers and mythic 1994 triumph with the New York Rangers.
Gordie Howe (1946-1971, 1973-1980)
Gordie Howe was a relentless competitor in all regards, boasting a combination of physicality, skill, and will-driven endurance that modern professionals crave.
In his 26 seasons of NHL play, he amassed 801 goals, 1850 points, and 1685 penalty minutes in his 1767 regular season games.
His all-around legacy even earned a namesake achievement, the Gordie Howe Hattrick, and yet he only accomplished the feat twice in his career.
Mario Lemieux (1984-1997, 2000-2006)
If anyone could have ever challenged Gretzky for his seat above all other NHL players in history, it was Mario Lemieux, but health issues consistently got in the way. That said, his efforts still rank the Quebecois among the best of all time.
On the ice, he won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Off of the ice, turning owner to save the team, Lemieux’s won three more to date. He also scored 1723 points in just 915 games.
Mike Bossy (1977-1987)
Despite only playing for ten years, Mike Bossy left a lasting impact on the NHL, steering the New York Islanders to an incredible four consecutive Stanley Cup wins.
At 0.762, Bossy also remains the NHL’s all-time leader for goals per game – netting 573 times in 752 games – and holds the record for consecutive seasons with 50 or more goals at nine.
Jaromir Jágr (1988-2018)
Jaromir Jágr breaks into the top ten forwards in NHL history as the only European skater to do so here, and is still playing professional hockey in his native Czechia for his club, Rytíři Kladno, at the age of 50.
His NHL legacy is defined by longevity and flair, with Jágr’s 1733 games (fourth of all-time) yielding the second-highest points tally in league history (1921).
Furthermore, many of his points came during the so-called Dead Puck Era of 1997 to 2004.
Phil Esposito (1963-1981)
While superstars in the decades that followed sunk Phil Esposito down the all-time lists, he was still a trailblazer, becoming the first to exceed 100 points in an NHL season.
From that 1968/69 campaign, Esposito continued to raise the bar, first to 126 points in a single season (1968/69) and then to 152 points in 1970/71. By the end of his career, he was a five-time Art Ross Trophy winner.
Marcel Dionne (1971-1989)
There’s a strong case to be made for Marcel Dionne being the greatest ever player never to win the Stanley Cup, particularly because the diminutive centre never even came close.
Despite his career predominantly being with non-contenders, Dionne still managed to put up incredible stat lines. At the end of his stint, he finished with 731 goals and 1771 points from 1348 games.
Dionne ended his career with the New York Rangers, a team that did take him to the playoffs twice but never past the first round. This season, the Rangers are dark horse contenders in online sports betting markets at +1400.
Brett Hull (1986-2005)
Taken 117th overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Brett Hull battled his way into the Calgary Flames lines for the 1986 playoffs, but boomed after he moved to the St. Louis Blues.
From the 1989/90 season to the 1993/94 season, Hull averaged 110.2 points per season, but didn’t win his first Stanley Cup until 1999, with the Dallas Stars – adding another in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings.
Steve Yzerman (1983-2006)
Steve Yzerman was the face of one of the greatest dynasties the NHL has ever seen. Captain of the Detroit Red Wings from 1986-87 onwards, the Cranbrook native led his team to three Stanley Cups and five Presidents’ Trophies.
Now serving in Detroit’s front office, Yzerman’s 1755 regular season points stand him seventh of all time, while his 185 playoff points hold him in the top ten.
Each of these skaters deserves a place on this list of the top ten forwards in NHL history, boasting tremendous legacies that resulted in all-time-ranking statistical records.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 28th September 2022
