The National Hockey League has seen some phenomenal talent come and go over the years. But how do you determine the top ten hockey players of all time? It’s a question fans, experts, journalists, and players themselves have asked for decades - and will keep asking. There’s no single correct answer, and there probably never will be.
To stir the pot even more, RG decided to follow the trend and turn to artificial intelligence for help. But we didn’t just ask ChatGPT who the greatest players in history are. We used a mix of academic and entertainment-driven approaches. We asked four different large language models - ChatGPT-4o, DeepSeek V3, Gemini 2.5 PRO, and Grok 3.0 - to rank the top 10 hockey players of all time. Each model was given a specific framework to follow when building its list.
The players were evaluated across six categories, each with its own assigned weight:
- Performance (25%): Career points, goals, and overall career totals. For netminders, it was based on save percentage and goals-against average.
- Accolades (20%): Hart, Vezina, Art Ross, Norris, Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP), and Stanley Cup titles.
- Longevity/Consistency (20%): Points from season-to-season as they aged, All-Star selections, and overall production.
- Level of Competition/Era (15%): The competitiveness of the NHL during their playing years.
- Influence on the NHL (10%): Was the sport in a better place after the player’s retirement?
- Recognition (10%): Expert and peer recognition, Hall of Fame status, and mentions in notable outlets.
The final ranking was based on the total points each player received across all four models. We awarded 10 points for a first-place finish, 9 for second, and so on.
Here is the list of the top 10 greatest NHL players of all time, based on our research.
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TOP 20 Best NHL Players of All Time | Greatest NHL players | Best Hockey Players
1. Wayne Gretzky
There’s nothing surprising about all four models ranking Wayne Gretzky at No. 1. If there’s one thing the world seems to agree on, it’s this. Gretzky’s stats are well known - and they speak for themselves. With his finesse and speed, “The Great One” revolutionized the game. Wayne Gretzky shattered long-standing records, notably accumulating an unprecedented 2,857 points.
He also earned four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984-85, 1987-88) and was named the NHL’s MVP nine (!) times (1980-87, 1989). After being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, he helped popularize ice hockey in the United States, paving the way for the game’s expansion.
According to Grok’s system, Gretzky received a near-perfect score of 97 out of 100. The other models also accurately listed his accolades and, without exception, accounted for era-adjusted factors when evaluating his numbers.
ChatGPT: “Gretzky’s statistical dominance is so overwhelming that even after era adjustments, no one comes close. His offensive vision reshaped how hockey was played and marketed.”
DeepSeek: “Gretzky’s statistical and trophy dominance is unparalleled. His vision and playmaking redefined hockey’s offensive potential.”
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Gemini: “Wayne Gretzky’s position at the top is essentially indisputable when all criteria are weighed.”
Grok: “Unmatched statistical dominance with 2,857 points and 9 Hart Trophies, plus 4 Stanley Cups, cements him as the undisputed greatest.”
Wayne Gretzky of the New York Rangers
2. Bobby Orr
Orr was ranked second on the list behind Gretzky on all four models. The general consensus across the board was that Orr revolutionized what it means to be a defenseman, putting up insane offensive numbers for the position. Bobby Orr is widely regarded as the game’s best defenseman-evidenced by his record-setting eight James Norris Memorial Trophy wins (1968-75).
While with the Boston Bruins, he became the first defenseman to lead the NHL in scoring (1970), and he was named the league’s MVP three times (1970-72). He also won two Stanley Cups (1970, 1972).
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Grok gave him a 90 out of 100 score, while the other three LLMs took into account all of the weighted categories to determine his ranking. Career longevity was a clear weakness for Orr, and that was considered here. Orr played just 12 NHL seasons and was forced to retire at just 30 due to recurring knee injuries.
ChatGPT: “Orr redefined what a defenseman could be. His impact was strategic, cultural, and statistical-even in a short career.”
DeepSeek: “Orr’s peak was the highest of any defenseman-ever. His two-way dominance and trophies outweigh his shorter career.”
Gemini: “Bobby Orr is the only player who challenges Gretzky's level of dominance relative to his position. He completely redefined what it meant to be a defenseman.”
Grok: “Revolutionized the defenseman role with record-setting offensive output and 2 Cups, despite a short career due to injuries.”
Bobby Orr in 1970
3. Mario Lemieux
All four models put Lemieux third behind Orr and Gretzky. A common topic of conversation with all of the LLMs was his statistical dominance. Despite being 6 feet 4 inches (1.9 meters) tall, Mario Lemieux displayed great speed and agility.
During his 17 years as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he won two Stanley Cups (1991-92) and managed to score an impressive 690 career goals despite missing a number of seasons after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. All of the models were clear that if health issues didn’t occur so often, Lemieux could’ve given Gretzky a run for his money when it came to statistics.
ChatGPT: “Lemieux’s peak was arguably the most dominant ever. Health cut his career short, but his per-game output remains untouchable.”
DeepSeek: “If not for health issues, Lemieux might have challenged Gretzky’s records. His skill and clutch play (e.g., 1991 Cup run) were unmatched.”
Gemini: “If not for severe health issues, Mario Lemieux might have challenged Gretzky's statistical supremacy. He represents the pinnacle of raw talent and physical dominance.”
Grok: “Near-Gretzky stats (1.883 PPG) and 2 Cups with clutch playoff performances, overcoming health setbacks.”
Mario Lemieux in 2006
4. Gordie Howe
Although Gordie Howe finished fourth overall in the experiment with AI, not everyone seemed to think so. Grok gave him an 88 out of 100 score and ranked him sixth in the greatest 10 players of all time. The other three models had Howe at No. 4. That’s “Mr. Hockey” to you. Gordie Howe’s 801 career goals set a then record in the NHL, and, as a member of the Red Wings “Production Line,” he won four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954-55).
No player in NHL history will ever play until they’re 52 years old like Howe did. Longevity and consistency were a huge part of putting Howe at fourth. His resume spans multiple eras-literally.”
DeepSeek: “Howe’s longevity and physical dominance make him the ultimate all-around player.”
Gemini: “For decades, Gordie Howe was the undisputed benchmark for greatness, earning him the simple and fitting moniker, "Mr. Hockey."”
Grok: ““Mr. Hockey” with 801 goals, 4 Cups, and 26 seasons of physical and skillful dominance in the Original Six era.”
Gordie Howe in 1959
5. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby comes in fifth, but that wasn’t the case with every model. Only DeepSeek and Gemini put Crosby at No. 5, while Grok and ChatGPT placed the Penguins legend at fourth and sixth, respectively. Sidney Crosby was drafted, the bars of expectation were set very high.
Tagged as “the next Gretzky,” Crosby managed to eclipse even those lofty expectations. His leadership, tireless work ethic, and all-around play have made him one of the most respected players of his generation.
ChatGPT: “Crosby’s mix of talent, leadership, and team success in the salary-cap era cements his legacy as the 21st-century benchmark.”
DeepSeek: “Crosby’s two-way play, leadership, and consistency in a tough era cement his top-5 status.”
Gemini: “Crosby is the defining player of the 21st century, combining elite skill with unparalleled work ethic and leadership in an era designed to suppress individual dominance.”
Grok: “Modern two-way star with 3 Cups, 2 Harts, and consistent excellence in a low-scoring era.”
Sidney Crosby in 2018
6. Dominik Hasek
Nicknamed “The Dominator”, Dominik Hasek is arguably the greatest goaltender ever. After all, he is the only netminder on the list. Grok gave Hasek an 88 out of 100 score, citing his dominance in a defensive-era as a major reason.
That was an important factor with all four models. Hasek led the league in save percentage for sixth straight seasons and even won two Hart Trophies.
ChatGPT: “Hasek wasn’t just the best goalie of his time-he broke the mold. No other netminder dominated a defensive era like him.”
DeepSeek: “Hasek’s peak (1994-99) was the most dominant by any goalie.”
Gemini: “"The Dominator" is the greatest goaltender of all time, and the only goalie whose peak value was so high that he was considered the best *player* in the entire league.”
Grok: ”Greatest goaltender ever, with 6 Vezinas and 2 Harts, dominating the Dead Puck Era with acrobatic style.”
Dominik Hasek with the Buffalo Sabres
7. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr was only in the top-10 with ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Both credited his longevity and ability to stay consistent with his production across three decades. He played 24 NHL seasons and inspired a whole generation of European players. The Czech forward is the most productive European player who has ever played in the League.
ChatGPT: “Jagr bridged generations, leagues, and continents. His power game and elite vision aged like wine-well past his prime.”
DeepSeek: “Jagr’s longevity and adaptability (elite in 3 decades) are unmatched.”