The top 5 players from each Original Six NHL franchises
By Daniel
Montreal Canadiens — Est. 1917*
The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups (20 in the ‘modern era’) and 22 division championships in franchise history. These are the five greatest players to ever put on the red and blue.
5. Jean Beliveau, C (1950-1971)
The greatest center in Montreal hockey history is Jean Beliveau. He won an incredible 10 Stanley Cups with the Habs and he even won the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1956. That’s right, a player that won 10 Stanley Cups is ranked as the fifth greatest player in franchise history — that’s how how much success this team has seen. Beliveau took home two Hart Memorial Trophies and one Art Ross Trophy for the Canadiens. He led the league in goals scored twice and ranks third in team history in goals (507), second in assists (712), and second in points (1219).
4. Guy Lafleur, RW (1971-1985)
The fact that Guy Lafleur isn’t ranked first on this list demonstrates how amazing Canadiens history is. He was the first player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons. In that time he won three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, and one Conn Smythe. The six-time All-Star is remembered as one of the most dominant offensive players in NHL history and he lifted five Stanley Cups in his career. He ranks No. 1 in team history in points (1246) and assists (728) and second in goals (518).
3. Doug Harvey, D (1947-1961)
One of the greatest, and most underrated, defensemen of all-time is Doug Harvey. All he did for the Canadiens was win six James Norris Trophies and be named to 11 consecutive All-Star Games. Not to mention the fact that he won six Stanley Cups while in Montreal, too. He’s remembered as a shutdown defender, but he was a consistent offensive threat as while. Harvey amassed 447 points for the Habs in 890 career games and was a very dangerous passer.
2. Jacques Plante, G (1952-1963)
The most decorated goaltender in NHL history is Jacques Plante. All the man did was win, whether it was games, championships, or awards. In nine full seasons in Montreal he won an amazing six Vezina Trophies, including five straight from 1956-1960. He also won six Stanley Cups in that time period and was named to the All-Star Game six times while playing for the Canadiens. In 1962 he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s top player. Often times Plante doesn’t get the respect that he truly deserves.
1. Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, RW (1942-1960)
The ‘Rocket’ was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season and 500 in a career. He was a part of eight Stanley Cup winning teams, including five straight from 1956-1960. He was the team captain for the final four Cup victories. In 1947 he won the Hart Memorial Trophy and he finished top-3 in the voting for that award five other times. He was a 13-time All-Star and ranks No. 1 in franchise history in goals scored (544).
He spent his entire illustrious career in Montreal and has a trophy awarded in his name–the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy–awarded annually to the league’s top goal scorer. As far as legacy goes, Richard’s looms the largest in Habs’ history. Without him, the franchise wouldn’t be quite as known for its complete and utter dominance of the first 70 years of the NHL’s existence.
*The Canadiens were technically established in 1909, but were established in the NHL in 1917.
There you have it! The top five players from the Original Six NHL franchises have been ranked. I’m sure you agree with every single selection that I made, right?