Devils Top 50 players of all time: Where do Brodeur, Hughes rank?

The New Jersey Devils are one of the NHL’s most successful franchises of the modern era, building a reputation for championship success and a culture of winning that has spanned decades. From their rise in the 1990s to a new generation of stars leading the franchise today, the Devils have remained a cornerstone of professional hockey while being the only professional big four team with the New Jersey name.

The franchise’s roots date back to 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts before relocating and becoming the Colorado Rockies in 1976. In 1982, the organization moved to New Jersey and adopted the Devils name, bringing NHL hockey to the Garden State. After several challenging seasons, the franchise emerged as a perennial contender and developed into one of the league’s premier organizations.

Over the years, the Devils have been defined by legendary players and unforgettable moments. Hall of Fame stars such as Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer and Patrik Elias helped establish the franchise’s identity, while modern stars such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt have ushered in a new era of success.

Across more than four decades in New Jersey, the Devils have captured three Stanley Cups. Whether competing for championships or rebuilding for the future, the organization has consistently played a significant role in shaping the modern-day NHL landscape.

While New Jersey continues its pursuit of another Stanley Cup, the franchise’s legacy is already firmly established. Generations of stars have worn the Devils red and black, creating countless memorable moments for fans throughout New Jersey and beyond. With the team now having more than 50 years of lineage, its worth recognizing the 50 best who best represent being a Devil.

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When discussing the greatest goaltenders in hockey history, no name is more synonymous with excellence than Martin Brodeur.

The Devils legend spent 21 seasons in New Jersey and built a resume that speaks for itself. Brodeur was a 10-time All-Star, four-time Vezina Trophy winner, five-time William M. Jennings Trophy recipient, three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

As the NHL’s all-time leader in wins, Brodeur combined unmatched durability with elite puck-handling ability, essentially serving as a third defenseman whenever he was on the ice.

During his Devils career, Brodeur posted a 688-394 record with a .912 save percentage, a 2.24 goals-against average and 124 shutouts.

Widely regarded as the greatest goaltender of all time, he was the centerpiece of New Jersey’s championship teams and remains the standard by which modern goaltenders are measured.

After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues, Scott Stevens arrived in New Jersey without knowing what to expect. It turned out to be the defining move of his career.

An 11-time All-Star, Stevens won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy during the 1999-00 championship season. Though his arrival in New Jersey was surrounded by controversy, he quickly embraced his role and became one of the faces of the franchise’s identity.

Stevens served as team captain from 1993 until his retirement in 2004, making him the longest-tenured captain in Devils history.

He finished his New Jersey career with 93 goals, 337 assists, 430 points, and a remarkable plus-282 rating.

Known for his bone-crushing open-ice hits and elite defensive play Stevens helped establish the Devils as one of the NHL’s most feared defensive teams. Few players have had a greater impact on hockey in New Jersey.

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During the first 13 years of his NHL career, Scott Niedermayer cemented himself as one of the greatest players in Devils history.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion, four-time All-Star, and Norris Trophy winner in 2003-04, Niedermayer brought a unique blend of offensive skill and defensive reliability to New Jersey’s blue line.

Arguably the smartest player to ever wear a Devils uniform, he was known for his elite skating and ability to control the pace of a game from the back end.

Over his Devils career, Niedermayer recorded 112 goals, 364 assists, 476 points, and a plus-179 rating.

A Hall of Famer and one of the best puck-moving defensemen the sport has ever seen, his impact on the franchise ranks among the greatest in team history.

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When discussing the greatest offensive player in Devils history, Patrik Eliáš stands alone.

A four-time All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Eliáš was the driving force behind New Jersey’s offense throughout much of the franchise’s golden era.

An elite playmaker with outstanding vision and hand-eye coordination, Eliáš consistently found ways to create scoring opportunities in even the most defense-oriented systems. His ability to read the ice and distribute the puck made him one of the most complete forwards of his generation.

He remains the franchise leader in goals (408), assists (617), and points (1,025), while also holding records for game-winning goals and several other offensive categories.

During some of the most successful years in franchise history, Eliáš helped keep the Devils competitive against the NHL’s elite while providing the offensive production needed to complement their championship-caliber defense.

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No list of the greatest New Jersey Devils would be complete without Ken Daneyko.

Known affectionately as “Mr. Devil,” Daneyko played a franchise-record 1,283 games and accumulated a team-record 2,516 penalty minutes during his 20-year career.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion and recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1999-00, Daneyko built his reputation through toughness, consistency, and a relentless defensive mindset.

While he recorded only 36 goals and 142 assists, his value extended far beyond the scoresheet. Daneyko was one of the best pure defensive defensemen the franchise has ever seen, excelling as a shot blocker and physical presence.

The Devils long-standing reputation for elite defense was built in large part on the foundation Daneyko helped establish.

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Although his best seasons came before New Jersey’s first Stanley Cup championship, John MacLean played a critical role in building the franchise’s foundation.

A two-time All-Star and Hart Trophy runner-up in 1990-91, MacLean was one of the NHL’s most reliable goal scorers during the Devils formative years.

Between 1988 and 1991, he became the first player in franchise history to record three 40-goal seasons, giving New Jersey a legitimate offensive star as the organization sought respectability.

Over 14 seasons with the Devils, MacLean accumulated 347 goals, 354 assists, and 701 points.

Before Brodeur, Stevens, and Niedermayer helped turn New Jersey into a dynasty, MacLean was laying the groundwork for the franchise’s future success.

During his two stints with New Jersey, Bobby Holík established himself as one of the most effective centers in franchise history.

A two-time All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Holík used his size, strength, and physicality to become a key contributor during the Devils championship years.

The Czech forward thrived as a two-way player, particularly during the NHL’s clutch-and-grab era. He regularly shut down opposing stars while excelling in puck possession and defensive situations.

Holík finished his Devils career with 202 goals, 270 assists, 472 points, and a plus-134 rating.

His ability to dominate along the boards, win faceoffs, and control the puck made him one of the most dependable players of his era and a vital piece of New Jersey’s success.
, Left Wing, 2005-2012

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Following the Devils championship era, Zach Parise emerged as the face of the franchise’s next generation.

A two-time team MVP, Second Team All-NHL selection in 2009, and team captain during New Jersey’s 2012 Stanley Cup Final run, Parise quickly became one of the NHL’s premier two-way forwards.

Known for his relentless motor, Parise excelled through aggressive forechecking, responsible defensive play, and a willingness to battle in high-traffic areas.

In seven seasons with the Devils, he recorded 194 goals, 216 assists, and 410 points while posting a plus-57 rating.

His work ethic and leadership helped bridge the gap between the Devils championship core and the franchise’s next era.

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If there is one player who could have climbed even higher on this list, it is Claude Lemieux.

Despite spending just six seasons with New Jersey, Lemieux became one of the most important playoff performers in franchise history. He won two Stanley Cups with the Devils and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy during their first championship run in 1995.

Known for his physical style and ability to get under opponents’ skin, Lemieux played with an edge that made him one of the NHL’s most feared postseason competitors.

His 142 goals, 155 assists, and 297 points with New Jersey remain the highest totals he recorded with any franchise during his 21-year NHL career.

Had contract disputes not led to his departure, Lemieux likely would have added even more to an already impressive Devils legacy.

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Will Jack Hughes be higher on this list in the future? Almost certainly.

In just a few seasons, the former first-overall pick has already established himself as one of the most talented players the franchise has ever produced.

A two-time All-Star, Hughes set the Devils single-season record for points and has become the centerpiece of New Jersey’s modern resurgence.

Through the early stages of his career, he has recorded 168 goals, 260 assists, and 428 points while putting himself on pace to challenge many of the franchise’s offensive records.

Hughes became the fastest player in team history to reach 100 goals and has consistently delivered in big moments. As one of the NHL’s brightest young stars, his story is still being written, and his place among the Devils all-time greats continues to grow.

There was no player more important to helping the Devils establish themselves in the NHL during their early years than Kirk Muller. A three-time All-Star, Muller captained New Jersey to its first playoff appearance in 1988 and finished his Devils career with 520 points.
, Left Wing, 2016-2019

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Taylor Hall delivered one of the greatest individual seasons in franchise history when he won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2017-18. The former first-overall pick recorded 76 goals, 132 assists, and 208 points in 211 games with New Jersey.

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One of the greatest undrafted players in NHL history, Brian Rafalski was a key contributor to the Devils Stanley Cup championships in 2000 and 2003. The elite puck-moving defenseman totaled 311 points and a plus-100 rating during his eight seasons in New Jersey.

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The first-overall pick in 2017 and current Devils captain, Nico Hischier has become one of the franchise’s most respected leaders. A premier two-way center, he has recorded 199 goals, 289 assists, and 488 points while earning an All-Star nod and being a runner-up for the Selke Trophy.

Sergei Brylin spent his entire NHL career with the Devils and was a valuable contributor on all three Stanley Cup championship teams. His versatility and consistency helped him compile 308 career points while becoming one of the most respected players in franchise history.
, Left Wing, 2010-2013

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Despite a controversial departure, Ilya Kovalchuk was one of the most talented offensive players ever to wear a Devils uniform. He recorded 201 points in just over three seasons and played a major role in New Jersey’s run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
, Center, 1999-2007

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Scott Gomez immediately became a key piece of the Devils championship core, winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2000. The playmaking center totaled 484 points and helped New Jersey capture two Stanley Cup championships.
, Center, 2006-2021

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One of the most dependable players in franchise history, Travis Zajac appeared in more than 1,000 games for the Devils over 15 seasons. The longtime alternate captain finished his career with 202 goals, 348 assists, and 550 points.

Chico Resch helped provide stability during the franchise’s transition from Colorado to New Jersey and became one of the team’s first fan favorites. While the Devils struggled during much of his tenure, Resch earned an All-Star selection and played an important role in the organization’s early years.

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A sixth-round draft pick who developed into a star, Jesper Bratt is one of the greatest steals in franchise history. The All-Star winger holds the franchise single-season assists record with 67 and remains a cornerstone of New Jersey’s young core.

, Defenseman, 2006-2020

, Right Wing, 2001-2009

, Defenseman, 1999-2011

, Defenseman, 2021-Present

, Goaltender, 2014-2020

, Center, 2010-2018

, Right Wing, 2023-Present

, Right Wing, 2015-2021

, Center, 2021-Present

, Center, 2015-2022

, Goaltender, 2018-2023

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Top 50 New Jersey Devils of all time; ranking the greatest legends

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