The NHL has seen many of the game’s greatest players at the right wing position. This article will rank the top 5 NHL right wingers of all time with an explanation as to why the players rank where they rank.
5. Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is arguably the greatest U.S. born player ever, and he ranks 5th on this list of greatest right wingers of all time. Kane helped the Chicago Blackhawks win 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years, and added a Cup clinching goal in 2010 as well as a Conn Smythe in 2013.
Kane arguably has the greatest hands ever in the history of the NHL, with highlight reel play that will make your jaw drop. When Kane won the Art Ross and Hart trophy in 2016 he became the first American to do so.
Kane has over 1,000 career points and 400 career goals, and with more time to add to these stats Kane fits perfectly here at number five for now.
4. Guy LaFleur
Guy LaFleur won three consecutive Ross trophies and back to back Hart trophies during his career. LaFleur has 1,353 career points and 560 career goals and scored 50 goals six consecutive seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation.
LaFleur also won five stanley cups with the Montreal Canadiens and a Conn Smythe. LaFleur was known for his blazing speed as he might have been one of the fastest players of all time.
LaFleur also was a very good passer, totalling six consecutive 100 point seasons to match his goal scoring ability. The quality of his teammates might have some argue that he shouldn’t be this high, but that won’t change his ranking on this list.
3. Mike Bossy
One of the best pure goalscorers of all time, and if it wasn’t for injury he easily could have numbers like Ovechkin and Gretzky. He is third all time regardless of position with 1.50 points per game.
Bossy had nine consecutive 50 goal seasons which is the most of all time. He also won four consecutive Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders from 1980-1983 and won the Conn Smythe in 1982. Bossy also won the Rocket Richard trophy twice during his career.
Bossy’s career was cut short at the age of 30, and if it wasn’t for that he could easily have been higher on this list.
2. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is second all time in career points, and definened longevity as he is still playing professional hockey at the age of 51. Jagr won back to back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jagr also won five Art Ross trophies and was once selected as the Hart winner in 1998-99. Jagr was one of the best power forwards with his size, but also had tremendous speed and agility.
Jagr used his size and athleticism to terrorize NHL defensemen and goalies during his 24 year career. His longevity is why he ranks higher than Bossy.
1. Goride Howe
Nickname “Mr. Hockey” no one should argue with his play on this list. Wayne Gretzky himself called Gordie Howe the greatest hockey player to ever live. Howe won six Hart trophies and four stanley cups during his career.
Howe defined the position of right wing for generations to come and revolutionized hockey in general. Howe is four all time in career points, and like Jagr, defined what longevity was in the NHL.
Howe played 26 years in the NHL and was the definition of a leader. Honestly, if Howe wasn’t number one on this list, you couldn’t have taken it seriously.
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