The Best NHL Players of the 1960s

By position · peak seasons of the decade

The best NHL players of the 1960s — the forwards, blueliners and goaltenders who ruled the decade, ranked by peak season and adjusted for its scoring environment.

Top forwards

1. Phil Esposito Boston Bruins

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1968 · 54G 85A 140P · +61 · 74 GP
   100Peak
2. Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings

   1 season sampled · peak 1968 · 47G 64A 111P · +49 · 76 GP
   82Peak
3. Ken Hodge Boston Bruins

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1968 · 49G 49A 98P · +55 · 75 GP
   78Peak
4. Bernie Geoffrion Montréal Canadiens

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1960 · 64G 58A 122P · +4 · 64 GP
   71Peak
5. Bobby Hull Chicago Blackhawks

   1 season sampled · peak 1968 · 64G 54A 119P · +13 · 74 GP
   73Peak
6. Frank Mahovlich Detroit Red Wings

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1968 · 53G 31A 84P · +47 · 76 GP
   68Peak
7. Alex Delvecchio Detroit Red Wings

   1 season sampled · peak 1968 · 28G 66A 95P · +48 · 72 GP
   70Peak
8. Norm Ullman Detroit Red Wings

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1964 · 49G 48A 97P · +18 · 70 GP
   65Peak
9. Dave Balon New York Rangers

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1969 · 36G 40A 76P · +43 · 76 GP
   61Peak
10. Dickie Moore Montréal Canadiens

    2 seasons sampled · peak 1960 · 50G 49A 99P · +16 · 57 GP
    63Peak
11. Andy Bathgate New York Rangers

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1961 · 33G 66A 98P · +4 · 70 GP
    55Peak
12. Ab McDonald Chicago Blackhawks

    5 seasons sampled · peak 1962 · 24G 49A 72P · +25 · 69 GP
    50Peak

On defense

1. Bobby Orr Boston Bruins

   1 season sampled · peak 1969 · 36G 94A 129P · +58 · 76 GP
   95Peak
2. Red Kelly Toronto Maple Leafs

   1 season sampled · peak 1960 · 26G 64A 90P · +24 · 64 GP
   58Peak
3. Pierre Pilote Chicago Blackhawks

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1964 · 17G 54A 71P · +30 · 68 GP
   51Peak
4. Lou Fontinato Montréal Canadiens

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1961 · 3G 20A 23P · +84 · 54 GP
   45Peak
5. Carl Brewer Detroit Red Wings

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1969 · 2G 43A 46P · +50 · 70 GP
   43Peak
6. Jean-Guy Talbot Montréal Canadiens

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1961 · 6G 49A 55P · +35 · 70 GP
   42Peak
7. Doug Harvey Montréal Canadiens

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1960 · 8G 47A 55P · +23 · 58 GP
   38Peak
8. Pat Stapleton Chicago Blackhawks

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1968 · 7G 55A 61P · +21 · 75 GP
   40Peak

In goal

1. Jacques Plante Montréal Canadiens

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1961 · 42W · 2.37 GAA · .923 SV% · 4 SO
   65Peak
2. Tony Esposito Chicago Blackhawks

   1 season sampled · peak 1969 · 38W · 2.17 GAA · .932 SV% · 15 SO
   68Peak
3. Bruce Gamble Toronto Maple Leafs

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1967 · 20W · 2.32 GAA · .934 SV% · 5 SO
   72Peak
4. Glenn Hall St. Louis Blues

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1968 · 19W · 2.17 GAA · .928 SV% · 8 SO
   68Peak
5. Johnny Bower Toronto Maple Leafs

   1 season sampled · peak 1967 · 13W · 2.26 GAA · .934 SV% · 4 SO
   72Peak

Other eras

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