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The Best Vancouver Canucks Players of All Time | LeoVegas

Vancouver Canucks 10 Players Ranking

Since their inception in 1970, the Vancouver Canucks have enjoyed a rich history thanks to their excellent roster of players, which includes some of the NHL’s most legendary players. Several incredible talents have donned the blue and green jersey, bringing unique skill and performance to the ice.

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Despite coming crazy close on three occasions (1982, 1994, 2011) to finally hoisting the Stanley Cup, the Canucks remain one of the NHL's longest-standing franchises still chasing that elusive first championship. The pursuit of the Cup continues to fuel the passion of both players and fans alike.

We’ll be taking a look at the top 10 players in Canucks’ history, assessing their positions, statistics, and their most notable achievements across their careers. This gives us an even better look at the journey the Canucks have been on, with several unforgettable moments and achievements that have defined the franchise.

1. Henrik Sedin

  • Position: Centre
  • Years Active: 18
  • GP: 1,330
  • G: 240
  • A: 830
  • TP: 1,070

Henrik Sedin is one half of the iconic Sedin twins, both of whom have become hockey legends in their own right. Henrik played a centre role with exceptional playmaking skills and inspiring leadership on the ice. Having spent his whole NHL career with the franchise, he remains one of its most iconic players.

Although he initially played for Modo Hockey back in Sweden, he made the move to the Vancouver Canucks in 2000 and played with the franchise until his retirement in 2018. His time with the franchise is filled with iconic moments, including a run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011. Henrik also served as the team’s captain from 2010 to 2018. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 2010, following a 112-point season in 2009-2010, where he recorded several four-point games, including one against the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

2. Daniel Sedin

  • Position: Left Wing
  • Years Active: 21
  • GP: 1,306
  • G: 393
  • A: 648
  • TP: 1,041

The other half of the Sedin Twins, Daniel Sedin, complemented his brother’s central leadership with relentless goal-scoring prowess. His accuracy was consistent across his performances, and it led him to the Art Ross Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2011.

Like his brother, Daniel Sedin played for the Modo Hockey Club in Sweden before switching to the Vancouver Canucks in 2000. He also spent his entire career with the club, giving the team a huge boost in their offensive play. Daniel was crucial to the Canucks’ Stanley Cup finals run and enjoyed one of his standout moments on the 30th of November 2017 when he scored his 1,000th NHL point against the Nashville Predators, becoming the 87th player in NHL history to hit this milestone.

3. Trevor Linden

  • Position: Centre
  • Years Active: 20
  • GP: 1,382
  • G: 375
  • A: 492
  • TP: 867

Known by fans as Captain Canuck, Trevor Linden was the franchise’s heart and soul for two whole decades. His leadership both on and off the ice was crucial in leading the team to the Stanley Cup finals in 1994, during which he scored two goals in game seven against the New York Rangers, displaying clutch performance under the highest of pressures.

Before joining the Vancouver Canucks, Linden started his career playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers. Although he had a few brief stints in Montreal, New York, and Washington, he spent the overwhelming majority of his career with the Vancouver Canucks, making him one of the team's most memorable players.

4. Markus Naslund

  • Position: Left Wing
  • Years Active: 18
  • GP: 1,117
  • G: 395
  • A: 474
  • TP: 869

Nicknamed “Nazzy” by Canuck fans, Markus Naslund was a dominant force in the NHL and the franchise’s captain. His excellent performances on the ice earned him the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2003, and he was a five-time NHL All-Star. The Swede’s goal-scoring ability and playmaking style made him a fan favourite, with a career in Vancouver spanning more than a decade.

Naslund originally started playing for Örnsköldsviks SK and Modo Hockey before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993. He also played for the Cleveland Lumberjacks before switching to the Vancouver Canucks in 1995. One of his most memorable performances came during the 2002-2003 season, where he scored 104 points and had a hat trick against the Calgary Flames.

5. Pavel Bure

  • Position: Right Wing
  • Years Active: 12
  • GP: 702
  • G: 437
  • A: 342
  • TP: 779

Pavel Bure, better known as “The Russian Rocket,” is still one of the most recognizable players in NHL history. His speed, agility, and goal-scoring abilities made him a force to be reckoned with, leading him to win the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992 and topping the league goal charts twice in the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 seasons.

His career began in his homeland of Russia, playing for CSKA Moscow, before moving to the NHL in 1989. He spent the majority of his career playing in Vancouver, although he eventually moved to other franchises, including the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. His most influential performance came in a five-goal game against the Dallas Stars in 1994.

6. Stan Smyl

  • Position: Right Wing
  • Years Active: 13
  • GP: 896
  • G: 262
  • A: 411
  • TP: 673

Nicknamed "Steamer" for his toughness and relentless checking, Stan Smyl was the Canucks captain from 1982 to 1990, leading the franchise to its very first Stanley Cup finals in 1982.

He was renowned for his gritty style of play and strong leadership skills with a determination and work ethic that made him a legend among Vancouver Canuck fans.

Although he originally played for the Bellingham Blazers and New Westminster Bruins, he spent the rest of his career playing for the Vancouver Canucks. One of Smyl's most significant achievements came with his 60-point season in 1982-1983, where he also recorded four assists in a single game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

7. Roberto Luongo

  • Position: Goaltender
  • Years Active: 20
  • GP: 1,044
  • GAA: 2.52
  • SV%: .919
  • SO: 77

You can’t discuss the greatest goaltenders of the NHL without mentioning Roberto Luongo, who for many years was the cornerstone of the Vancouver Canucks’ roster. His sensational consistency and goalkeeping skills earned him several All-Star selections, including a standout moment with 72 saves in a quadruple-overtime victory against the Dallas Stars in the 2007 playoffs.

His career started with teams like the Montreal-Bourassa, Val-d’Or Foreurs, Acadie–Bathurst Titan, Lowell Lock Monsters, New York Islanders and Louisville Panthers before moving to the Florida Panthers in 2000. He enjoyed a strong set of performances there before switching to the Vancouver Canucks in 2006. He backstopped for the team in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals and won the Jennings Trophy that same year before returning to the Florida Panthers in 2014.

8. Brock Boeser

  • Position: Right Wing
  • Years Active: 9
  • GP: 532
  • G: 197
  • A: 223
  • TP: 420

Known for his lethal shot and scoring abilities, Brock Boeser quickly became one of the Canucks’ top offensive players. He was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in his first season and has since remained a consistent scorer for the franchise, even managing a hat trick and assist in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017. This level of performance has made him a key player for the team’s present and future, with many touting him as one of the Canucks’ best talents.

His career started at Burnsville High School, and he went on to play for the Sioux City Musketeers, Waterloo Black Hawks, and the University of North Dakota before making the move to the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks in 2017, where he still plays.

9. Elias Pettersson

  • Position: Centre
  • Years Active: 10
  • GP: 461
  • G: 181
  • A: 266
  • TP: 447

Elias Pettersson has proven to be a dynamic and skilled centre with an offensive style of play that has made him an exciting prospect in the NHL. In 2019, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie, and since then, his vision, creativity, and scoring abilities have made him a central figure on the Canucks’ roster. One of his most memorable moments came in 2018 when he scored five points through two goals and three assists against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Swede began his career playing at Timrå IK and Växjö Lakers before moving to the NHL by joining the Vancouver Canucks. Since then, he has cemented himself as one of the team’s best players.

10. J.T. Miller

  • Position: Left Wing
  • Years Active:
  • GP: 849
  • G: 253
  • A: 433
  • TP: 686

J.T. Miller has had a huge impact on the Vancouver Canucks through his experience and leadership skills, making him a key player in the franchises’ selection. He has shown a streak of excellent goal-scoring abilities and even scored a hat trick and assist against the Buffalo Sabres in 2020. Although his prowess is mostly on the offensive, he has also been effective in defensive situations, making him a strong player all over the ice.

Miller has played for several different teams before joining the Canucks in 2019, including the likes of Plymouth Whalers, Connecticut Whale, New York Rangers, Hartford Wolf Pack and Tampa Bay Lightning.