Hockey Reference Blog
NHL Top 20 Wings Rankings
Posted by Darin Hayes on November 29, 2023
Introduction to the Best Wings in NHL History
In ice hockey’s fast-paced and exciting world, wingers play a pivotal role in generating offense and contributing to their team’s success. These skilled players occupy the left and right sides of the ice, flanking the center forward, and their primary responsibilities include scoring goals, facilitating puck movement, and engaging in offensive and defensive plays. This post will examine the best wingers in NHL history to commemorate their outstanding play.
Points Galore
Wingers can be productive in multiple facets, but the metric of how many points they generate throughout their career is an excellent place to start. Here are some of the NHL wings that have been productive in this metric to help determine the best wingers in NHL history.
Mike Bossy
(Boss)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 186lb (183cm, 84kg)
Born: January 22, 1957 in Montreal, Quebec ca
Died: April 15, 2022 (Aged 65-083d)
Draft: NY Islanders, 1st round (15th overall), 1977 NHL Amateur
Amateur Teams: Laval National
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1991 (Full List)
Name Note: Full name Michael Dean Bossy
Career
752
573
553
1126
380
110.9
210
2709
80
This star right wing of the New York Islanders provided some punch of the top line of NY during the franchise’s Glory years. Bossy’s 1126 career points, fueled by scoring 576 goals, make him a worthy candidate on this list.
Teemu Selänne
(The Finnish Flash, Teukka Salama)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 200lb (183cm, 90kg)
Born: July 3, 1970 (Age: 53-143d) in Helsinki, Finland fi
Draft: Winnipeg, 1st round (10th overall), 1988 NHL Entry
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2017 (Full List)
Pronunciation: \TAY-moo suh-LAH-nay\
- Hall of Fame
- 1x Cup Winner
- 1992-93 Calder
- 1992-93 AR
- 4x All Star
- 1998-99 Richard
- 2005-06 Masterton
- NHL 100th Anniv. Team
Career
1451
684
773
1457
95
172.3
660
4540
110
19:52
49.5
53.1
Though Teemu played on multiple teams during his career, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks franchise is where he made his hay. Selänne’s 1457 points put him well within the top ten greatest in NHL history for this data set.
Bobby Hull
(The Golden Jet)
Position: LW • Shoots: Left
5-10, 195lb (178cm, 88kg)
Born: January 3, 1939 in Point Anne, Ontario ca
Died: January 30, 2023 (Aged 84-027d)
Amateur Teams: St. Catharines Teepees
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1983 (Full List)
As Coach: 3 Yrs, 81‑79‑9, 171 Pts. (Full Record)
Relatives: Brother Dennis Hull; Son Brett Hull
Career
1063
610
560
1170
249
136.3
634
4577
98
The Chicago Black Hawks tenured former Left Wing Bobby Hull set the standard for producing his position for years. Hull was productive in his time on the ice, scoring 1170 points throughout his NHL career, including stints with the Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers.
Luc Robitaille
(Lucky, Cool Hand Luc)
Position: LW • Shoots: Left
6-1, 215lb (185cm, 97kg)
Born: February 17, 1966 (Age: 57-279d) in Montreal, Quebec ca
Draft: Los Angeles, 9th round (171st overall), 1984 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Hull Olympiques
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2009 (Full List)
Career
1431
668
726
1394
71
138.6
1177
3961
89
Cool Hand Luc had a very productive 19 NHL seasons donning the colors of the LA Kings (on multiple stints), Pittsburgh Penguins, NY Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings. Robitaille placed 668 pucks in the net to generate just shy of 1400 points in his career on the Big League ice.
Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard
(Rocket)
Position: RW • Shoots: Left
5-10, 170lb (178cm, 77kg)
Born: August 4, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec ca
Died: May 27, 2000 (Aged 78-297d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1961 (Full List)
As Coach: 1 Yr, 1‑1‑0, 2 Pts. (Full Record)
Relatives: Brother Henri Richard
Career
978
544
422
966
18
125.3
1287
166
84
When Richard retired, he led all scorers in NHL history. Though multiple skaters have surpassed Richard’s astounding numbers, this man is still a legend. Known as the “Rocket”, the Quebec native skated for his home Province on the Montreal Canadiens top line for 18 seasons, burying the puck 544 times to help the Habs claim eight Stanley Cup titles.
Dino Ciccarelli
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
5-10, 185lb (178cm, 83kg)
Born: February 8, 1960 (Age: 63-288d) in Sarnia, Ontario ca
Amateur Teams: London Knights
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2010 (Full List)
Career
1232
608
592
1200
-4
105.8
1425
3706
73
Skating for an impressive 21 seasons on NHL ice, Ciccarelli had 592 of his shots get past the opposing goalies. Dino skated on some amazing lines with the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.
Keith Tkachuk
(Walt, Big Walt)
Position: LW • Shoots: Left
6-2, 235lb (188cm, 106kg)
Born: March 28, 1972 (Age: 51-240d) in Melrose, Massachusetts us
Draft: Winnipeg, 1st round (19th overall), 1990 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Boston University
Relatives: Cousin Tom Fitzgerald; Sons Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk
Career
1201
538
527
1065
33
125.1
2219
3530
72
20:10
50.2
46.2
Tkachuk wore the colors of the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, and Atlanta Thrashers over his twenty seasons on NHL ice. The former Boston University Eagle put up 1065 points in the NHL from the left wing.
Brendan Shanahan
(Shanny, Shan the Man)
Position: LW • Shoots: Right
6-3, 220lb (190cm, 99kg)
Born: January 23, 1969 (Age: 54-304d) in Mimico, Ontario ca
Draft: New Jersey, 1st round (2nd overall), 1987 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: London Knights
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2013 (Full List)
Career
1524
656
698
1354
151
148.0
2489
5086
109
19:57
50.4
56.8
What Shanahan did in his 22 NHL seasons is remarkable. The long-time left-side winger produced 1354 points in his career, which saw him skate for the Devils, Blues, Whalers, Red Wings, and Rangers.
Dave Andreychuk
(Chuckie, Octopus, Clyde)
Position: LW • Shoots: Right
6-4, 220lb (193cm, 99kg)
Born: September 29, 1963 (Age: 60-055d) in Hamilton, Ontario ca
Draft: Buffalo, 1st round (16th overall), 1982 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Oshawa Generals
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2017 (Full List)
Career
1639
640
698
1338
32
124.4
1121
4556
77
The Sabers’ first-round draft pick spent most of his career in Buffalo. Andreychuk also spent time in Toronto, New Jersey, Boston, Colorado, and Tampa, scoring 640 goals and 698 assists.
Frank Mahovlich
(The Big M)
Position: LW • Shoots: Left
6-0, 205lb (183cm, 92kg)
Born: January 10, 1938 (Age: 85-317d) in Timmins, Ontario ca
Amateur Teams: Toronto St. Michael’s
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1981 (Full List)
Relatives: Brother Pete Mahovlich
Career
1181
533
570
1103
266
121.7
1054
3366
82
The fans of professional hockey were treated to the talents of Mahovlich during his 18 NHL seasons and an additional four in the World Hockey Association. The Big M had a well-balanced career of 533 goals and 570 assists.
Assists
They may line up on the outside, but the wings on the right and left of the front lines of NHL platoons sure know how to bring the action to the net. A big part of that is setting the table for teammates to score. Here are some top assist makers who played left or right wing in major pro hockey.
Mark Recchi
(Recchin’ Ball, Rex)
Position: RW • Shoots: Left
5-10, 195lb (178cm, 88kg)
Born: February 1, 1968 (Age: 55-295d) in Kamloops, British Columbia ca
Draft: Pittsburgh, 4th round (67th overall), 1988 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Kamloops Blazers, New Westminster Bruins
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2017 (Full List)
Pronunciation: \REH-kee\
Career
1652
577
956
1533
0
147.5
1033
3820
91
20:47
48.7
48.6
Twenty-two years and eight different franchises proved productive for this right wing. Recchi is best known for his play as a Philadelphia Flyer and Boston Bruins skater, but he won Stanley Cup Championships with the Penguins, Hurricanes, and Bruins. Mark scored most of his 1533 career points from assisting others.
Johnny Bucyk
Position: LW • Shoots: Left
6-0, 215lb (183cm, 97kg)
Born: May 12, 1935 (Age: 88-195d) in Edmonton, Alberta ca
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1981 (Full List)
Relatives: Nephew Randy Bucyk
Career
1540
556
813
1369
-7
122.4
493
3087
92
Though Bucyk started his NHL journey with the Detroit Red Wings, he didn’t blossom to his full potential as a left winger until he spent a few seasons in Boston. Johnny used his 813 career assists to help take the Bruins to great heights, including two Stanley Cups.
Jari Kurri
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 194lb (183cm, 87kg)
Born: May 18, 1960 (Age: 63-189d) in Helsinki, Finland fi
Draft: Edmonton, 4th round (69th overall), 1980 NHL Entry
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2001 (Full List)
Career
1251
601
797
1398
304
117.4
545
3149
72
Kurri was known for setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates for eighteen years on the WHA and NHL professional ice. Jari had 797 assists in his career, which saw him capture titles with the Edmonton Eskimos, feeding the Great One on many occasions. Kurri later skated with the Kings, Rangers, Ducks and Avalanche.
Guy Lafleur
(The Flower, Le Démon Blond)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 185lb (183cm, 83kg)
Born: September 20, 1951 in Thurso, Quebec ca
Died: April 22, 2022 (Aged 70-214d)
Draft: Montreal, 1st round (1st overall), 1971 NHL Amateur
Amateur Teams: Quebec Remparts
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1988 (Full List)
Pronunciation: \GEE la-FLOOR\
Name Note: Full name Guy Damien Lafleur
Career
1126
560
793
1353
446
130.5
399
3516
98
With over 790 NHL career assists, Lafleur was a long-time member of the dominant Habs teams of the 1970s. The opposition had to always pay attention to number 10, as he loved to feed his teammates with scoring opportunities.
Goals
The most popular measurement of the perception of how good a winger is is how many times they have stuck the puck in the back of the net. Look at the top goal scorers from the left and right-wing positions.
Alex Ovechkin
(Alexander the Great, Ovi, O, The Great 8, The Russian Machine, The Mechanic)
Position: LW • Shoots: Right
6-3, 238lb (190cm, 107kg)
Team: Washington Capitals
Born: September 17, 1985 (Age: 38-067d) in Moscow, USSR su
Draft: Washington, 1st round (1st overall), 2004 NHL Entry
Current salary: $1,000,000
Current cap hit: $9,500,000
Pronunciation: \AL-ehx oh-VEHCH-kihn\
- 1x Cup Winner
- 2005-06 Calder
- 2005-06 AR
- 12x All Star
- 2007-08 Ross
- 3x Hart
- 3x Pearson
- 9x Richard
- 2017-18 Smythe
- NHL 100th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
16
1363
5
827
7
670
12
1497
3
70
1.3
198.7
4
801
62
6417
0
124
20:05
20:49
52.0
52.6
72.4
59.3
The “Great Eight,” Alex Ovechkin, has scored more goals than any other NHL winger. The thing is, his numbers are still climbing as we write this piece. Who knows where they may go from here? We know that this Russian-born Washington left wing is a very productive force for opposing defenders.
Gordie Howe
(Mr. Hockey)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 205lb (183cm, 92kg)
Born: March 31, 1928 in Floral, Saskatchewan ca
Died: June 10, 2016 (Aged 88-071d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 1972 (Full List)
Relatives: Brother Vic Howe; Sons Marty Howe, Mark Howe
Career
1767
801
1049
1850
160
217.1
1685
3803
121
You cannot talk about NHL scoring without the great Gordie Howe’s name coming up. MR Hockey had 1850 total career points with over 800 goals. He skated for the Detroit Red Wings and later the Hartford Whalers.
Jaromír Jágr
(Jags, Mario Jr., The Ageless Wonder)
Position: RW • Shoots: Left
6-3, 230lb (190cm, 104kg)
Born: February 15, 1972 (Age: 51-281d) in Kladno, Czechoslovakia cs
Draft: Pittsburgh, 1st round (5th overall), 1990 NHL Entry
Pronunciation: \YAIR-oh-MEER YAH-guhr\
- 2x Cup Winner
- 1990-91 AR
- 5x Ross
- 8x All Star
- 1998-99 Hart
- 3x Pearson
- 2015-16 Masterton
- NHL 100th Anniv. Team
Career
1733
766
1155
1921
322
217.1
1167
5637
135
21:41
55.1
56.6
Jágr skated in the NHL for almost a quarter century! His career path saw him winning Stanley Cup Championships with the Mario Lemieux Penguins scoring goals in over 50 NHL arenas and tallying 1921 career points.
Brett Hull
(The Golden Brett)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
5-11, 203lb (180cm, 92kg)
Born: August 9, 1964 (Age: 59-106d) in Belleville, Ontario ca
Draft: Calgary, 6th round (117th overall), 1984 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Minnesota-Duluth
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2009 (Full List)
Relatives: Father Bobby Hull
Career
1269
741
650
1391
23
154.6
458
4876
110
Brett was the son of an NHL legend, but he made a name for himself as a winger for Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit, and Phoenix with 1391 points to his credit powered by 741 goals.
Mike Gartner
(Garts)
Position: RW • Shoots: Right
6-0, 187lb (183cm, 84kg)
Born: October 29, 1959 (Age: 64-025d) in Ottawa, Ontario ca
Draft: Washington, 1st round (4th overall), 1979 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Niagara Falls Flyers, St. Catharines Black Hawks
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2001 (Full List)
Career
1432
708
627
1335
68
121.8
1159
5090
90
Gartner scored 708 career goals from his right-wing position with the Capitals, North Stars, Rangers, Maple Leafs, and Coyotes. The Ottawa native even made the 100 Top NHL Skaters list for the 100th NHL Anniversary team.
Mark Messier
(Moose, The Messiah, Mess, The Captain)
Position: LW/C • Shoots: Left
6-1, 210lb (185cm, 95kg)
Born: January 18, 1961 (Age: 62-309d) in Edmonton, Alberta ca
Draft: Edmonton, 3rd round (48th overall), 1979 NHL Entry
Amateur Teams: Portland Winter Hawks
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player 2007 (Full List)
Pronunciation: \MEH-see-yay\
Relatives: Brother Paul Messier; Cousins Joby Messier, Mitch Messier
Career
1756
694
1193
1887
211
160.4
1912
4221
92
Messier had some position flexibility during his career, but he is much remembered as the left wing of the Edmonton Oilers Dynasty of the 1980s. Mark also spent many minutes on the ice as a Ranger and a Canuck having the puck find its way past opposing goalies on 694 of his shots.
Conclusion
So, who is the best winger in the NHL’s long history? As you can see above, there are many worthy candidates for left- and right-wing positions. The real question may be, why choose just one when you can relish the memories of these twenty stalwarts who graced us with their talents?
The choosing of the best is all in the eye of the beholder. One could make a case for many skaters on our list of twenty above deserving of the honor.
There are so many good answers to this. Take your pick from Brett Hull, Jagr, Howe, Gartner, or another from the list.
Again, this is not a straightforward answer, but you have to include Ovechkin, Robitaille, Messier, and Bobby Hull in the discussion, as well as a handful of others.
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