*this text was up to date in Sep. 2024
Hockey gamers practice their complete lives to make it to one of the best league on the earth and work even tougher to remain. Though everybody goals of hoisting the Stanley Cup sooner or later, others have the privilege of enjoying their complete careers with one group and by no means get that probability at a championship.
Associated: 10 NHL Gamers Who Performed Their Complete Profession With One Crew
Only a few skaters in league historical past have performed their entire careers with one group as a result of, in a salary-cap world, it’s exhausting to remain aggressive for prolonged durations with out important roster turnover. After a busy commerce deadline, with a number of large names relocating, right here is the record of longest-tenured gamers who stay with their present NHL groups.
*Please notice that within the occasion of a tie, the nod goes to the participant with essentially the most video games performed with that franchise.
The Seattle Kraken is the NHL’s newest enlargement staff and signed their first participant, Luke Henman, on Could 12, 2021. Through the enlargement draft (July 21, 2021), administration picked all their gamers internally earlier than saying the names alphabetically. In the meantime, Matty Breniers is the membership’s first-ever Entry Draft decide, second total in 2021. Contemplating each participant on the present roster began at zero NHL video games with the staff, their longest-tenured participant is Adam Larsson, who hasn’t missed a single sport in franchise historical past
Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin (Oct. 10, 2018)
With the latest departure of Zemgus Girgensons, newly-named captain and 2018 first-overall decide Rasmus Dahlin is the longest-tenured Buffalo Sabre. He’s the staff’s prime defenseman and has appeared in almost 450 profession video games and is approaching 300 factors.
Vegas Golden Knights – William Karlsson & Brayden McNabb (Oct. 6, 2017)
Just like the Kraken, the Vegas Golden Knights began from scratch in 2018, signing Reid Duke as the primary participant in staff historical past on Mar. 6, 2017.
Through the enlargement draft on June 21, 2017, their first decide was Calvin Pickard, and within the 2021 Entry Draft, they chose Cody Class. As of 2024, solely 4 gamers stay from their inaugural season, with William Karlsson and Brayden McNabb main the franchise in video games performed (502) following Jonathan Marchessault’s departure.
Vancouver Canucks – Brock Boeser (Mar. 25, 2017)
Brock Boeser was a Vancouver Canucks first-round decide (twenty third total) within the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Since making his debut late within the 2016-17 season as a 19-year-old, he’s been a fixture within the staff’s lineup for nearly 500 video games, the place he’s compiled near 400 factors.
New Jersey Devils – Jesper Bratt (Oct. 7, 2017)
Jesper Bratt and captain Nico Hischier each made their NHL debuts for the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 7, 2017, towards the Colorado Avalanche. Nevertheless, Bratt outranks Hischier in video games performed by greater than 20 since Hischier missed a bit of time in 2020-21. As a sixth-round decide (162nd total) within the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Bratt has established himself as one of many Devils’ core gamers with back-to-back 73-point seasons. General, after 471 video games, he’s surpassed 350 factors.
Chicago Blackhawks – Connor Murphy (Oct. 5, 2017)
Connor Murphy joined the Chicago Blackhawks in a June 2017 commerce that despatched Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Arizona Coyotes. As one of many few gamers left on the staff to skate with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Murphy is the tenth oldest member within the present lineup, regardless of being positioned on LTIR in January 2024. Throughout his seven-season Blackhawks tenure, he’s skated in over 400 video games and is approaching 100 factors.
Ottawa Senators – Thomas Chabot (Oct. 18, 2016)
Thomas Chabot is considered one of 9 former first-round draft picks within the Ottawa Senators lineup. He joined the staff because the 18th total decide within the 2015 Entry Draft. After eight seasons, the 27-year-old is the staff’s longest-tenured participant and the one holdover from the 2016-17 staff that misplaced within the Jap Convention Last (regardless of enjoying just one common season sport). After 400 video games, he’s just lately simply collected his 250th level.
Utah Hockey Membership – Lawson Crouse (Oct. 15, 2016)
Lawson Crouse made his NHL debut on Oct. 15, 2016, and is the longest-tenured member of Utah HC. After being the eleventh total decide within the 2015 Entry Draft, he skated 72 video games in 2016-17 as a 19-year-old earlier than spending many of the 2017-18 season within the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners. Since changing into an NHL common, he’s closing in on 200 factors.
Detroit Purple Wings – Dylan Larkin (Oct. 9, 2015)
Dylan Larkin is the one member of the Detroit Purple Wings lineup who has skated in a playoff sport with the franchise. The previous fifteenth total decide from the 2014 Entry Draft has performed 9 seasons in Detroit and has been captain since 2020-21. He just lately surpassed 650 video games and 500 factors.
St. Louis Blues – Colton Parayko (Oct. 8, 2015)
Colton Parayko joined the St. Louis Blues as a third-round decide (86th total) within the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since debuting in October 2015, he has performed for the staff for 9 seasons and was considered one of its prime defensemen after they captured the Stanley Cup in 2019. He’s simply surpassed 250 profession factors.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Morgan Rielly (Oct. 5, 2013)
Morgan Rielly is a first-round draft decide (fifth total) from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, making his debut a season later as a 19-year-old. In 11 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’s been a part of some nice moments (Auston Matthews scoring 60 objectives) and a few somewhat disappointing ones (one playoff collection victory). As Rielly approaches 800 video games, he’s closing in 500 factors, with the eighth most assists in Maple Leafs’ historical past.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Boone Jenner (Oct. 4, 2013)
Bonne Jenner is a second-round decide (thirty seventh total) from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft who has skated in over 700 video games throughout his 11-year profession with the Columbus Blue Jackets. With near 200 objectives and 375 factors, he’s approaching the franchise data for lamplighters (289) and factors (547). Of their historical past, the Blue Jackets have made the playoffs six occasions, and Jenner has been there for 5 of them, getting promoted to staff captain in 2021-22.
Florida Panthers – Aleksander Barkov (Oct. 3, 2013)
Aleksander Barkov, a former second-overall decide within the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, debuted for the Florida Panthers as an 18-year-old and earned a Woman Byng (2019) and Selke Trophy (2021) in 11 seasons. General, he’s scored no less than 20 objectives previously seven campaigns, netting a career-high of 39 in 2021-21. Barkov was named captain in 2018-19 and is approaching 750 video games and 750 factors.
Colorado Avalanche – Nathan MacKinnon (Oct. 2, 2013)
Nathan MacKinnon was the highest decide within the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his debut with the Avalanches months after strolling throughout the draft stage.
Arguably one of many prime skaters in his technology, the Calder Trophy winner helped Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022 and has been one of many prime scorers within the league throughout the 2023-24 season. MacKinnon is near netting his 900th level in lower than 800 video games.
Montreal Canadiens – Brendan Gallagher (Jan. 22, 2013)
As a fifth-round decide (147th total) within the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Brendan Gallagher has been skating with the Montreal Canadiens for the previous 12 seasons. As he just lately eclipsed 750 video games, he’s collected a modest 400 factors with over 500 penalty minutes. As soon as a two-time 30-goal scorer, Gallagher was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Crew throughout his first season in 2012-13.
Carolina Hurricanes – Jordan Staal (Jan. 19, 2013)
Jordan Staal was drafted second total within the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He started his profession that winter with the Pittsburgh Penguins, profitable the Stanley Cup in 2009. In 2012, he joined the Carolina Hurricanes, the place he’s been for the previous 12 seasons. In addition to being named staff captain in 2019-20, he’s scored over 400 factors in 800 video games whereas enjoying in Raleigh.
New York Rangers – Chris Kreider (Apr. 16, 2012)
Chris Kreider made his NHL debut for the New York Rangers within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2011. He hovered across the 20-goal mark for years earlier than exploding for 52 objectives in 2021-22. It was his greatest season as knowledgeable, whose staff got here inside a number of wins shy of the Stanley Cup Last. In 800 video games, he has over 300 objectives and 550 factors, a bit greater than 100 objectives from the franchise document.
New York Islanders – Casey Cizikas (Feb. 24, 2012)
Casey Cizikas went from being a fourth-round draft decide (92nd total) within the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to the longest-tenured participant within the New York Islanders lineup in 2023-24. As a bottom-six ahead, he’s compiled virtually 250 factors in over 800 video games whereas enjoying within the Jap Convention Last in 2020 and 2021.
Nashville Predators – Roman Josi (Nov. 26, 2011)
Roman Josi has spent his complete 13-year profession with the Nashville Predators, who drafted him within the second spherical (thirty eighth total) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The 2019-20 Norris Trophy winner is the franchise chief in assists and factors, rating second in video games performed and third in objectives. Contemplating Josi is signed by the 2027-28 season, there’s a great probability he continues to climb the record of longest-tenured gamers.
Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oct. 9, 2011)
The Edmonton Oilers had a run of first total picks (2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015), with solely Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Connor McDavid (2015) nonetheless on the staff. Nugent-Hopkins cracked the lineup as an 18-year-old in 2011-12 and hasn’t left. Serving as an alternate captain since 2015-16, he’s closing in on 700 factors and 900 video games.
Winnipeg Jets – Mark Scheifele (Oct. 9, 2011)
Mark Scheifele was a first-round choice (seventh total) within the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and he nonetheless performs with the staff that chosen him. He took the lengthy street to changing into an NHL common, enjoying simply 11 video games by his first two years earlier than formally making the Winnipeg Jets’ lineup as a 20-year-old in 2013-14. As Scheifele approaches 800 video games, he’s scored over 700 factors and already ranks within the prime three in franchise historical past in video games performed, objectives, assists, and factors.
Philadelphia Flyers – Sean Couturier (Oct. 6, 2011)
Sean Couturier debuted in 2011-12, two seasons after the Philadelphia Flyers misplaced within the 2010 Stanley Cup Last. The celebrities from that staff slowly began to depart, leaving room for him to develop into the face of the subsequent technology of stars, getting named captain throughout the 2023-24 season. The previous Selke Trophy winner (2019-20) is approaching 500 factors and 800 video games.
Minnesota Wild – Jared Spurgeon (Nov. 29, 2010)
Jared Spurgeon was a sixth-round decide (156th total) within the 2008 NHL Entry Draft who has morphed into the Minnesota Wild’s longest-tenured participant after 14 seasons. As he approaches 900 video games and 400 factors, Spurgeon has an opportunity to surpass Mikko Koivu in most video games performed for the franchise whereas engaged on his ascend (as a defenseman) up the staff’s all-time scoring record, the place he presently ranks fourth.
Anaheim Geese – Cam Fowler (Oct. 8, 2010)
Cam Fowler has quietly develop into one of many NHL’s longest-tenured gamers, remaining with the Anaheim Geese for 14 seasons after they drafted him because the twelfth total decide within the 2010 Entry Draft. Though some legendary gamers are forward of him on the Geese’ profession lists, Fowler ought to develop into the second skater (in addition to Teemu Selänne) to play in 1,000 for the franchise subsequent season. As of 2024, he ranks fifth all-time in factors behind Ryan Getzlaf, Selänne, Corey Perry, and Paul Kariya.
Boston Bruins – Brad Marchand (Oct. 21, 2009)
Brad Marchand will all the time be remembered for taking part in on the sting and crossing the traces along with his on-ice antics. Nevertheless, since debuting as a 21-year-old in 2010-11, the previous Stanley Cup champion has risen the all-time leaderboards in Boston Bruins historical past, rating among the many prime 10 in video games performed (eighth), objectives (fifth), assists (seventh), and factors (fifth). As among the best penalty killers ever, Marchand turned the Bruins’ twenty seventh captain in 2023-24.
Dallas Stars – Jamie Benn (Oct. 3, 2009)
Jamie Benn was a fifth-round decide (129th total) who made his NHL debut in 2009-10. He’s a former Artwork Ross winner (2014-15) and a three-time all-star. He has been captain of the Dallas Stars since 2013-14 and solely sits behind franchise icon Mike Modano in video games performed, objectives, and factors whereas rating third in assists. Throughout his captaincy, Dallas has received two divisional titles and appeared within the 2020 Stanley Cup Last.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Victor Hedman (Oct. 3, 2009)
Victor Hedman has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since they drafted him second total in 2009. He made his NHL debut that fall and is prone to play his complete profession with the Bolts. He has one Norris Trophy, one Conn Smythe Trophy, two Stanley Cups, and is a 6-time All-Star. He was additionally named staff captain following Steven Stamkos’ departure in free company in 2024.
Calgary Flames – Mikael Backlund (Jan. 8, 2008)
Mikael Backlund is the one participant within the Calgary Flames lineup who has skated below three normal managers after being chosen twenty fourth total within the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. As the present captain, he’s approaching 1,000 video games and is ready to develop into the primary draft decide in franchise historical past to attain the milestone.
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Los Angeles Kings – Anže Kopitar (Oct. 6, 2006)
For a few years, Dustin Brown was the captain of the Los Angeles Kings, however the staff’s offense flowed by Anže Kopitar. The 2-time Stanley Cup champion has scored over 1,200 factors, which ranks second behind Marcel Dionne for the highest spot in staff historical past. As one of many prime defensive forwards of his technology, he holds the franchise data for video games performed and assists.
San Jose Sharks – Marc-Édouard Vlasic (Oct. 5, 2006)
As soon as upon a time, the San Jose Sharks employed Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, two of the longest-tenured gamers within the NHL. Nevertheless, Marc-Édouard Vlasic steps into the position because the longest Sharks participant on the present roster. Drafted within the second spherical (thirty fifth total) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, he’s a veteran of greater than 1,270 video games and is closing in on 400 factors.
Washington Capitals – Alex Ovechkin (Oct. 5, 2005)
Alex Ovechkin has been terrorizing goalies since debuting in 2005. After scoring his 800th purpose in December 2022, he’s been inching nearer to Wayne Gretzky’s document of 894.
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In addition to profitable a document 9 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies, he cemented his legacy as one of many best by profitable the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in 2018.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby (Oct. 5, 2005)
Since 2005, Sidney Crosby has received three Stanley Cups, two scoring titles, two league MVPs, and picked up near 1,600 factors and 600 objectives. He’s the Penguins’ all-time chief in video games performed, with over 1,250, changing into the primary participant in membership historical past to swimsuit up for 1,000. Crosby shall be a first-ballot Corridor of Famer because of one of the spectacular resumes.
Additional Perspective
Of the gamers on the record, 23 have spent greater than a decade with their groups, with eight skating over 15 seasons. Moreover, 14 gamers are captains, with one other 10 serving as alternate captains, and 28 have performed their complete careers with the membership they debuted with.
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As we speak, transactions have develop into extra widespread previously 50 years, however most of those skaters have defied the chances and constructed spectacular careers with the groups the place they rank because the longest-tenured gamers. Contemplating that 65% of this record are first-round draft picks (together with Larsson from New Jersey), most of those franchises have constructed their cores round elite prospects now of their management teams because of prolonged careers of their sweaters.
