Who are the best Boston Bruins players of all time? One of the Original Six teams in the NHL the franchise boasts a rich history filled with iconic players who have left an indelible mark on NHL.
From legendary goal-scorers to defensive giants, the Bruins have seen some of the greatest talents in hockey. Here’s a look at the ten best players to ever don the black and gold:
10. Brad Marchand
Picked up with the 71st pick of the 2006 NHL draft, Brad Marchand has become one of the best Boston Bruins players in history. He’s become known for his scoring touch as well as the most suspended player in history.
Marchand has garnered a reputation for being a pest by getting under the skin of the opposition. A two-time All-Star and 2011 Stanley Cup champion, he became the highest playoff goals scorer in Bruins history in 2024.
9. Tuukka Rask
In the modern era, Tuukka Rask has become synonymous with Bruins hockey. The Finnish became a wall for Boston across 15 seasons and holds the record for most games for the franchise by a goaltender.
Rask played backup for the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup victory and guided the franchise to two more finals appearances. The two-time All-Star also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender in 2014.
8. Cam Neely
Cam Neely was a dynamic right winger known for his combination of size, skill, and scoring ability. A three-time 50-goal scorer, Neely was a force on the ice and played a crucial role in the Bruins’ offensive success in the late 80s and early 90s.
After ten seasons in Boston the five-time All-Star’s career was cut short by injuries. Neely’s impact and legacy off the ice has been even greater, later becoming the Bruins president in 2010 and winning the Stanley Cup a year later.
7. Zdeno Chara
After arriving in Boston from Ottawa in 2006, Zdeno Chara went on to play 14 seasons with the Bruins. The towering Slovak became the tallest player in NHL history at 6-foot-9 or 2.06m tall.
Chara played 1,680 games in the NHL, a record for a defenseman. He captained the Bruins to three Stanley Cup Finals winning in 2011, with the 2009 Norris Trophy winner no doubt one of the best Boston Bruins players ever.
6. Eddie Shore
Eddie Shore is well remembered for his incredible skill, toughness, and leadership. A Hall of Fame defenseman, he played with unmatched intensity from 1926 for 14 seasons.
A winner of four Hart Trophies, a record for a defenseman, Shore built a reputation for his fierce physical play and redefining the role. His contributions and enforcement on the ice helped the Bruins win two Stanley Cups.
5. Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron is the epitome of a two-way player and a true leader for the Bruins. Drafted by Boston in 2003, Bergeron has consistently been among the league’s best forwards, known for his exceptional two-way play, faceoff skills, and leadership. A multi-time Selke Trophy winner for best defensive forward, Bergeron played a vital role in the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup victory and has remained a key player and mentor for the team
4. Johnny Bucyk
Star left winger Johnny Bucyk spent 21 seasons with the Bruins and is one of the best Bruins players of all-time. Bucyk was a versatile player, capable of playing both left wing and center.
A seven-time All-Star, his combination of size, skill, and vision allowed him to be a consistent offensive threat, with Bucyk helping guide the Bruins to two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.
3. Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in NHL history. He became the first player to score over 100 points in a season, doing so five times. The two-time MVP also led the league in goals six times, and points five times
Esposito had an ability to find the back of the net, helping solidify the Bruins’ reputation as an offensive powerhouse and helping the franchise to Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972.
2. Ray Bourque
Five-time best defenseman and six-time runner-up Ray Bourque played 21 seasons with the Bruins, is the franchise’s all-time leader in points and assists, as well as the longest serving Bruins captain.
Bourque had a ferocious shot and was forever consistent defensively. Despite his long service in Boston, Bourque won his only Stanley Cup in his final season with the Avalanche in 2001, retiring after two years in Colorado.
1. Bobby Orr
It’s a no contest, Bobby Orr is simply the greatest Boston Bruins player in history. Debuting in 1966 he went on to play ten seasons in Boston, winning two Stanley Cups, and is largely considered only behind Wayne Gretzky for all-time best.
Orr excelled as an end-to-end rusher and to put his greatness into perspective, he’s the only defenceman to win the NHL’s scoring title, doing so on two occasions in addition to mastering breaking up the oppositions play.
