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Crazy Eights: The best players to wear No. 8 in NHL history

By Dave Stevenson

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 29: Walt Poddubny #8 and Miroslav Frycer #14 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate against Al Jensen #35, Larry Murphy #8 and Dave Christian #27 of the Washington Capitals during NHL game action on January 29, 1986 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 29: Walt Poddubny #8 and Miroslav Frycer #14 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate against Al Jensen #35, Larry Murphy #8 and Dave Christian #27 of the Washington Capitals during NHL game action on January 29, 1986 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

4. Larry Murphy

Many Washington Capitals fans associate the number eight with a certain Russian captain. And rightfully so. However, the first Hall of Fame skater to wear No. 8 in the nation’s capital was defenseman Larry Murphy. Some of his best years came with the Capitals and the Minnesota North Stars. He switched his number to 55 when he got traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990 because Recchi was already wearing No. 8.

3. Eric Lindros

Technically, Eric Lindros has never worn No. 8. That’s because he loved it so much, he decided to wear it twice. Lindros wore No. 88 for his entire career. Had it not been for injuries, his career could have been much better. But when Lindros was healthy, very few players were better. His best season came in 1994-95 when he won both the Pearson Trophy and the Hart Trophy after posting 29 goals and 70 points in 46 games.

2. Teemu Selanne

Many consider Teemu Selanne to be the greatest Finnish NHL player of all time. It’s hard to argue with his resume, as he has the most goals (684) and points (1,457) of any player from Finland. Selanne set the rookie record with 132 points and won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Next: 25 most insane things people have ever done with the Stanley Cup

1. Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin’s legacy has been set in stone. He’ll go down as not just the greatest player to ever wear No. 8, but also one of the best players of all time, period. Ovechkin has led the NHL in goals seven times and won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.

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