NHL: 25 most dominant offensive players of all-time

5. Jaromir Jagr (1990-Present): 72 Points

The greatest offensive European hockey player of all-time has put together an astonishing career. He is the highest ranked active player on this list. Throughout his career he led the league in points five times (third most all-time) and led the league in assists three times. He amassed five 100-point seasons and three 50-goal campaigns. Although, he may be best remembered by his exceptional mullet of the early 1990s. Career points-per-game: 1.19

Primary Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

4. Gordie Howe (1946-1971, 79-80): 82 Points

“Mr. Hockey” dominated the game like no one before him had ever done. His play helped to solidify Detroit as “Hockeytown” and he is regarded as one of the game’s all-time greatest (and most influential) players. Six times he led the league in points, tied for second most all-time. Five times he led the league in goals and three times he did so in assists. Yet maybe the Gordie Howe Hat-Trick (goal, assist, and a fight) is the coolest part about his legacy. Career points-per-game: 1.04

Primary Team: Detroit Red Wings

3. Phil Esposito (1963-1981): 104 Points

One of the game’s most iconic players led the league in points five times. Although, he led the league in goals an impressive six times — second most in NHL history. He was an incredibly well-rounded player as he led the league in assists three separate times, too. He amassed six seasons with at least 100 points and hit the 50-goal plateau five different times. Prolific doesn’t even begin to describe his career. Career points-per-game: 1.24

Primary Team: Boston Bruins

2. Mario Lemieux (1984-1997, 00-06): 122 Points

“The Magnificent One” is undoubtedly one of the top two offensive players in the entire history of the NHL. He could do things on the ice that no other player could do both before he played and after he’s left. Injuries took hundreds of games from his career. If they hadn’t this list could have been an even closer race for the number one spot. He led the league in points six times, tied for second most all-time. He also led the league in goals and assists three times each. Lemieux also put together 100-point seasons ten times, the second most all-time…noticing a theme? He also put together six 50-goal seasons. Career points-per-game: 1.89 (second best all time)

Primary Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

1. Wayne Gretzky (1979-1999): 240 Points

There isn’t much to say. “The Great One” is an understatement of a nickname. He has nearly double the points that Lemieux has –who sits in second place. Clearly no one has ever dominated the offensive end of the ice like Gretzky did and no one ever will again. To put this into perspective, Gretzky amassed more assists than any other hockey player has total points for their career. You read that correctly. He didn’t have to score a single goal and he’d still be the all-time leading scorer in sport’s history. But he did score goals, as he led the league in goals five times including his record 92 goal season in 1981-82. He led the NHL in points 11 times, assists 16 times, and put together 15 100-point seasons and nine 50-goal seasons. He is not just the most dominant offensive player in NHL history, he’s the most dominant offensive player in the history of sports.

Primary Team: Edmonton Oilers