The Best NHL Players of the 1980s

By position · peak seasons of the decade

The best NHL players of the 1980s — the forwards, blueliners and goaltenders who ruled the decade, ranked by peak season and adjusted for its scoring environment.

Top forwards

1. Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 53G 167A 220P · +73 · 80 GP
   100Peak
2. Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins

   1 season sampled · peak 1988 · 92G 123A 215P · +44 · 76 GP
   100Peak
3. Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers

   1 season sampled · peak 1984 · 80G 72A 152P · +88 · 73 GP
   100Peak
4. Mike Bossy New York Islanders

   1 season sampled · peak 1981 · 66G 85A 151P · +71 · 80 GP
   92Peak
5. Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1980 · 59G 79A 138P · +55 · 80 GP
   82Peak
6. Michel Goulet Quebec Nordiques

   1 season sampled · peak 1983 · 61G 72A 133P · +68 · 75 GP
   85Peak
7. Bernie Nicholls Los Angeles Kings

   1 season sampled · peak 1988 · 73G 83A 156P · +31 · 79 GP
   84Peak
8. Charlie Simmer Los Angeles Kings

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1980 · 71G 62A 132P · +40 · 65 GP
   76Peak
9. Bryan Trottier New York Islanders

   1 season sampled · peak 1981 · 51G 81A 132P · +72 · 80 GP
   83Peak
10. Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings

    1 season sampled · peak 1988 · 67G 92A 159P · +17 · 80 GP
    79Peak
11. Dave Taylor Los Angeles Kings

    1 season sampled · peak 1980 · 54G 74A 128P · +55 · 72 GP
    78Peak
12. Joe Mullen Calgary Flames

    2 seasons sampled · peak 1988 · 53G 61A 114P · +53 · 79 GP
    74Peak

On defense

1. Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 50G 93A 143P · +63 · 79 GP
   85Peak
2. Mark Howe Philadelphia Flyers

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 26G 62A 87P · +93 · 77 GP
   73Peak
3. Brad McCrimmon Philadelphia Flyers

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 13G 44A 57P · +88 · 80 GP
   58Peak
4. Ray Bourque Boston Bruins

   1 season sampled · peak 1983 · 33G 68A 101P · +54 · 78 GP
   64Peak
5. Gary Suter Calgary Flames

   1 season sampled · peak 1987 · 23G 77A 99P · +43 · 75 GP
   60Peak
6. Denis Potvin New York Islanders

   1 season sampled · peak 1983 · 23G 66A 89P · +57 · 78 GP
   59Peak
7. Larry Murphy Washington Capitals

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1986 · 24G 59A 83P · +26 · 80 GP
   47Peak
8. Brian Engblom Montréal Canadiens

   3 seasons sampled · peak 1981 · 4G 31A 36P · +84 · 76 GP
   47Peak

In goal

1. Pete Peeters Boston Bruins

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1982 · 40W · 2.37 GAA · .903 SV% · 8 SO
   75Peak
2. Bob Froese Philadelphia Flyers

   1 season sampled · peak 1985 · 31W · 2.55 GAA · .909 SV% · 5 SO
   82Peak
3. Roland Melanson New York Islanders

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1982 · 24W · 2.66 GAA · .909 SV% · 1 SO
   81Peak
4. Patrick Roy Montréal Canadiens

   1 season sampled · peak 1989 · 31W · 2.53 GAA · .912 SV% · 3 SO
   78Peak
5. Pelle Lindbergh Philadelphia Flyers

   1 season sampled · peak 1984 · 40W · 3.02 GAA · .899 SV% · 2 SO
   72Peak

Other eras

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