The Best NHL Players of the 2000s

By position · peak seasons of the decade

The best NHL players of the 2000s — the forwards, blueliners and goaltenders who ruled the decade, ranked by peak season and adjusted for its scoring environment.

Top forwards

1. Peter Forsberg Colorado Avalanche

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2002 · 32G 84A 116P · +57 · 75 GP
   95Peak
2. Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2000 · 54G 64A 118P · +45 · 82 GP
   92Peak
3. Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh Penguins

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2000 · 53G 70A 122P · +19 · 81 GP
   84Peak
4. Petr Sykora New Jersey Devils

   5 seasons sampled · peak 2000 · 39G 52A 91P · +40 · 73 GP
   73Peak
5. Alex Tanguay Colorado Avalanche

   4 seasons sampled · peak 2003 · 30G 64A 94P · +36 · 69 GP
   76Peak
6. Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks

   1 season sampled · peak 2009 · 38G 73A 111P · +47 · 63 GP
   86Peak
7. Milan Hejduk Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2002 · 50G 48A 98P · +52 · 82 GP
   86Peak
8. Robert Lang Washington Capitals

   6 seasons sampled · peak 2003 · 38G 59A 96P · +3 · 63 GP
   66Peak
9. Alex Ovechkin Washington Capitals

   1 season sampled · peak 2007 · 65G 47A 112P · +28 · 82 GP
   85Peak
10. Dany Heatley Ottawa Senators

    3 seasons sampled · peak 2006 · 50G 55A 105P · +31 · 82 GP
    76Peak
11. Henrik Sedin Vancouver Canucks

    1 season sampled · peak 2009 · 29G 83A 112P · +35 · 82 GP
    81Peak
12. Marian Hossa Atlanta Thrashers

    4 seasons sampled · peak 2006 · 43G 57A 100P · +18 · 82 GP
    67Peak

On defense

1. Chris Pronger Anaheim Ducks

   4 seasons sampled · peak 2006 · 16G 57A 73P · +34 · 66 GP
   55Peak
2. Mike Green Washington Capitals

   1 season sampled · peak 2009 · 21G 62A 83P · +43 · 75 GP
   66Peak
3. Mathieu Schneider Detroit Red Wings

   4 seasons sampled · peak 2005 · 24G 43A 67P · +38 · 72 GP
   52Peak
4. Bryan Berard Chicago Blackhawks

   5 seasons sampled · peak 2003 · 18G 48A 66P · -34 · 58 GP
   42Peak
5. Joni Pitkanen Philadelphia Flyers

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2005 · 18G 47A 65P · +31 · 58 GP
   48Peak
6. Adrian Aucoin New York Islanders

   5 seasons sampled · peak 2003 · 13G 31A 45P · +29 · 81 GP
   40Peak
7. Wade Redden Ottawa Senators

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2005 · 13G 50A 63P · +44 · 65 GP
   51Peak
8. Rob Blake Los Angeles Kings

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2000 · 26G 49A 74P · -12 · 54 GP
   46Peak

In goal

1. Jose Theodore Montréal Canadiens

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2001 · 30W · 2.11 GAA · .931 SV% · 7 SO
   71Peak
2. Dominik Hasek Ottawa Senators

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2005 · 28W · 2.09 GAA · .925 SV% · 5 SO
   72Peak
3. Tim Thomas Boston Bruins

   1 season sampled · peak 2008 · 36W · 2.1 GAA · .933 SV% · 5 SO
   73Peak
4. Ed Belfour Toronto Maple Leafs

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2002 · 37W · 2.26 GAA · .922 SV% · 7 SO
   62Peak
5. Martin Brodeur New Jersey Devils

   1 season sampled · peak 2006 · 48W · 2.18 GAA · .922 SV% · 12 SO
   65Peak

Other eras

Frequently asked questions