The top 5 players from each Original Six NHL franchises
By Daniel
Boston Bruins — Est. 1924
The Bruins have won six Stanley Cups (three in the ‘modern era’) and 25 division championships in franchise history. These are the five greatest players to ever put on the black and yellow.
5. Johnny Bucyk, LW (1957-1978)
Johnny Bucyk is one of the most accomplished players in Boston history and he helped lead them to one Stanley Cup in his career. He played in six All-Star Games while playing for the Bruins and was a two-time Lady Bing Memorial Trophy winner. Bucyk ranks No. 1 in team history in goals scored (545) and second in points (1339).
4. Eddie Shore, D (1926-1940)
Shore is one of the most decorated defensemen in NHL history as he absolutely dominated his era. He took home a ridiculous four Hart Memorial Trophies and helped Boston win two Stanley Cups. He was honored as a First-Team All-Star seven times. His sweater (#2) has been retired by Boston and he was the first in a long chain of dominant defensemen to play for the Bruins.
3. Phil Esposito, C (1967-1976)
Despite playing under nine seasons in Boston, Esposito is one of the all-time greats. Had he spent his entire career with the Bruins he may have been No. 1 on this list. In those years he won five Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies and racked up 459 goals — second most in franchise history. He also helped lead the B’s to two Stanley Cup Championships and was invited to seven All-Star Games while in Boston. Resumes do not get much stronger than that.
2. Raymond Bourque, D (1979-2000)
For two decades Bourque led the Bruins from the blue line and his career has gone down as one of the best of all-time. He leads Boston in games played (1518), assists (1111), and points (1506) — as a defensemen. He was also a 19-time All-Star in Boston. As a rookie he took home the Calder Memorial Trophy and an incredible five times he won the James Norris Trophy. It is beyond remarkable that he isn’t No. 1 on this list.
1. Bobby Orr, D (1966-1976)
The greatest player in the history of the Boston Bruins is none other than Bobby Orr. He played just nine full seasons in Boston, but packed enough greatness into that span to be remembered as one of the greatest skaters in NHL history. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy and then rattled off a mind-blowing eight consecutive James Norris Trophies from 1968-1975.
Orr also won three Hart Memorial Trophies and never finished lower than sixth in voting for the award. Twice he led the Bruins to Stanley Cup victories and both times he won the Conn Smythe Trophy — wow. If given the choice between Orr, Gretzky, and Lemieux I’m not sure which player I’m choosing for my team.
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