Setting the Record Straight on the Top 50 Hockey Players of the Expansion Era

The National Hockey League (NHL) expanded from six to twelve teams in 1967, marking a significant turning point in the history of the sport. The expansion era brought forth a new generation of talented players who would shape the game for decades to come.

In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the annals of hockey history to rank the top 50 players of the expansion era, based on their individual achievements, team success, and overall impact on the game. Our rankings are based on a combination of statistical analysis, expert opinions, and fan feedback.

Who's Better, Who's Best in Hockey?: Setting the Record Straight on the Top 50 Hockey Players of the Expansion Era

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Criteria for Selection

To be eligible for our list, players must have played at least 200 games in the NHL during the expansion era (1967-present). We considered players from all positions, including forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders.

We evaluated players based on the following criteria:

* Individual statistics (goals, assists, points, etc.) * Team success (Stanley Cup championships, playoffs appearances, etc.) * Awards and accolades (MVP, Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy, etc.) * Impact on the game (leadership, innovation, etc.)

The Top 50 Players

After careful consideration, we have compiled our list of the top 50 hockey players of the expansion era:

1. Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)
2. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins)
3. Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins)
4. Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings)
5. Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadiens)
6. Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers)
7. Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings)
8. Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche)
9. Maurice Richard (Montreal Canadiens)
10. Jean Beliveau (Montreal Canadiens)
11. Dominik Hasek (Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators)
12. Jari Kurri (Edmonton Oilers)
13. Paul Coffey (Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings)
14. Mike Bossy (New York Islanders)
15. Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers)
16. Denis Potvin (New York Islanders)
17. Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche)
18. Doug Gilmour (Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils)
19. Joe Sakic (Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche)
20. Peter Forsberg (Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche)
21. Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche)
22. Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars)
23. Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers)
24. Chris Pronger (St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks)
25. Cam Neely (Boston Bruins)
26. Mark Recchi (Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins)
27. Scott Niedermayer (New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks)
28. Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)
29. Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens)
30. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils)
31. Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers)
32. Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
33. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
34. Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
35. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
36. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
37. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
38. Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
39. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
40. Roman Josi (Nashville Predators)
41. Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens)
42. Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)
43. John Tavares (New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs)
44. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)
45. Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings)
46. David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins)
47. Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)

Player Profiles

Let's take a closer look at some of the most influential players on our list:

Wayne Gretzky

Widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky was a scoring machine and playmaker extraordinaire. He holds numerous NHL records, including most goals (894),most assists (1,963),and most points (2,857). Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux was a dominant force on the ice, known for his exceptional skating, shooting, and leadership. He won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is widely considered one of the most talented players to ever play the game. Lemieux battled back from cancer to return to the NHL and lead the Penguins to their second Stanley Cup victory in 2009.

Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr was a revolutionary defenseman who transformed the position. He was known for his offensive prowess, leading the NHL in scoring twice as a defenseman. Orr won two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins and is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history.

Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe played a remarkable 26 seasons in the NHL, spanning the Original Six era and the expansion era. Known as "Mr. Hockey," Howe was a complete player who could score goals, set up teammates, and play tough defense. He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and is considered one of the greatest all-around players in NHL history.

Guy Lafleur

Guy Lafleur was a dynamic winger known for his speed, skill, and scoring touch. He won five Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. Lafleur was one of the most popular players of his generation and is considered one of the greatest French-Canadian players in NHL history.

The expansion era has witnessed some of the greatest hockey players to ever take to the ice. Our list of the top 50 players is a testament to the talent, skill, and dedication of these remarkable athletes.

While our rankings may spark debate and discussion, there is no doubt that these players have left an indelible mark on the sport of hockey. They have inspired generations of fans and continue to be celebrated as icons of the game.

Who's Better, Who's Best in Hockey?: Setting the Record Straight on the Top 50 Hockey Players of the Expansion Era

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE