NHL.com ranks Hockey's best by their numbers.

[Travis 576]

The number a player wears becomes a part of him. There's not a hockey fan alive who doesn't associate "99" with Wayne Gretzky or "66" with Mario Lemieux.

But not every player has a number to himself. For example, five of the Original Six have retired No. 9 (Toronto, the lone holdout, lists it among its "Honored Numbers"). No. 1, the number that for decades was given to the starting goaltender, no longer is available in a number of cities, where it's long since been raised to the rafters.

Some numbers are overloaded; others only have a couple of applicants -- and most players wear more than one number during their careers. In trying to determine the best of the best, we've attempted to limit players to the number they wore the most, or the one they're best known for wearing.

Given those parameters, here's a look at the best of the best of NHL players who've worn Nos. 00 to 33.

1 -- Terry Sawchuk

The owner of the NHL records for wins and shutouts until Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur came along wins a close race with a number of Hall of Famers. Sawchuk wore No. 1 from the time he broke into the League with Detroit in 1949-50 until he went to Toronto in 1964-65 and took No. 30 because his old number was owned by Johnny Bower.

Runner-up: Jacques Plante

5 -- Nicklas Lidstrom

Lidstrom has been the NHL's best defenseman over the past 15 years, winning the Norris Trophy six times in seven seasons and becoming the first European-born and -trained player to captain a Stanley Cup winner, one of the four he's played on. Few players have been so good for so long -- he's still among the NHL's best at age 40.

Runner-up: Denis Potvin

9 -- Gordie Howe

Mr. Hockey outlasted a class of immortals as the best No. 9 (arguably the most talented number in NHL history). Perhaps the most remarkable stat about Howe's career: He finished in the top five in scoring for 20 consecutive seasons, a mark that's as unbreakable as any in sports. He has brought talent, class and dignity to everyone associated with the NHL for more than 60 years.

Runner-up: Maurice Richard

14 -- Brendan Shanahan

Shanahan already was a star when he arrived in Detroit in 1997, but he moved his game up to another level when he became a Wing -- becoming a big part of Detroit's three Cup-winning teams from 1997-2002. He had the last of his six 40-goal seasons at age 37 and finished his career with 656 goals and 1,354 points.

19 -- Steve Yzerman

Rare is the player who's willing to sacrifice offensively to become a more complete player after years of dominating. But that's exactly what Yzerman did -- and the result was three Stanley Cups for the Detroit Red Wings in a six-year span, after a 42-year drought. With 1,715 points in 22 seasons and the longest run as a team captain in NHL history, Yzerman is the greatest Red Wing not named Gordie Howe.

Runner-up: Joe Sakic

24 -- Chris Chelios

The newly retired future Hall of Famer had three NHL careers -- one with Montreal, another with Chicago and a third after he was dealt to Detroit at age 37, only to play for another 10 years and add two more Stanley Cups to the one he won with the Canadiens in 1986. Chelios finally retired at age 48 after having earned 948 points in 1,651 games, earned three Norris Trophies and five First-Team All-Star berths, including one at age 38.

Also on the list are Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, with Datsyuk and Osgood as Runners-Up to their numbers.

The list: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536766&utm_source=bleacherreport.com

[Jusek 437]

Rafalski, Dino Ciccarelli and Steve Thomas are also Runner-Ups.

[Travis 576]

Rafalski, Dino Ciccarelli and Steve Thomas are also Runner-Ups.

..Smooth move on my behalf, haha.

[toby91_ca 620]

I have no idea how they picked Satan over Hossa. And this comment is strange "by far the highest scoring player ever to wear number 81." by far? Really? He and Hossa actually have the same number of goals and Hossa actually has more points. Hossa has also played over 200 fewer games.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I have no idea how they picked Satan over Hossa. And this comment is strange "by far the highest scoring player ever to wear number 81." by far? Really? He and Hossa actually have the same number of goals and Hossa actually has more points. Hossa has also played over 200 fewer games.

Hossa wore #18 in Ottawa, Atlanta & Pittsburgh though.

Kind of a difficult topic because Chelios is apparently the best to wear #24, but arguably spent his best years wearing #7 in Chicago.

Edited September 7, 2010 by MacK_Attack

[lookalive07 251]

Part 2 (34-66)

Zetterberg, Bertuzzi (mix), Murphy

Part 3 (67-99)

Schneider, Coffey (runner up), Hossa (runner up), Federov, Holmstrom

All those are up there as well.

[up2here 41]

I have no idea how they picked Satan over Hossa. And this comment is strange "by far the highest scoring player ever to wear number 81." by far? Really? He and Hossa actually have the same number of goals and Hossa actually has more points. Hossa has also played over 200 fewer games.

Yet another example of a writer or broadcaster not doing their homework. I swear if I made the same mistakes at my job I would be fired.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Yet another example of a writer or broadcaster not doing their homework. I swear if I made the same mistakes at my job I would be fired.

It clearly states in the opening that players are considered by the number they wore the most, and Hossa has worn #18 far more than he has worn #81.

I'm guessing they considered Hossa for the two years he has worn #81.

[up2here 41]

It clearly states in the opening that players are considered by the number they wore the most, and Hossa has worn #18 far more than he has worn #81.

I'm guessing they considered Hossa for the two years he has worn #81.

That makes sense I guess but it also creates some issues. Hossa IS 81 now and will almost certainly be 81 until the end of his career.

[Shady Ultima 40]

But the bulk of his career he was 18. He could get injured tomorrow and never play again. He wouldn't come close to Satan wearing 81 then.

Anyways... can someone explain this quote to me

25 -- Dave Andreychuk

Andreychuk began his career as a big scorer and ended it as a checker, leader and power-play specialist -- and as captain of the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning after ending the longest active Cup drought in NHL history. Andreychuk put up 640 goals and 1,338 points in 1,639 games during his 23 NHL seasons, and is No. 1 on the all-time list with 274 power-play goals.

The Bolts had the longest active Cup drought in history? They were added in 92... it took 12 years. Toronto hasn't won since 67, and Blackhawks finally broke a 49-year drought. I don't understand that at all.

[MacK_Attack 108]

The Bolts had the longest active Cup drought in history? They were added in 92... it took 12 years. Toronto hasn't won since 67, and Blackhawks finally broke a 49-year drought. I don't understand that at all.

Refers to Andreychuk's personal Cup drought, not Tampa's.

Edited September 7, 2010 by MacK_Attack

[eva unit zero 271]

Also on the list are Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, with Datsyuk and Osgood as Runners-Up to their numbers.

Second best #30 after Martin Brodeur? Think about who has worn that number over the years, and you realize just how great that statement shows Ozzie to be.

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

You guys forget #55?

55 -- Larry Murphy

[Spinner 6]

They give 96 to Holmstrom...nice to see Homer at the top of the list on something. Also wondering why Juneau beat out Modano. Is there a story there I don't know about?

[toby91_ca 620]

They give 96 to Holmstrom...nice to see Homer at the top of the list on something. Also wondering why Juneau beat out Modano. Is there a story there I don't know about?

Modano has never stepped foot on the ice to play in the NHL wearing #90, that probably has something to do with it.

[Buppy 1,720]

It's funny seeing some of the seldom-used numbers and names like Jamie McGinn, Paul Ranger, and David Perron.

Melvin Angelstad...lol

[toby91_ca 620]

It clearly states in the opening that players are considered by the number they wore the most, and Hossa has worn #18 far more than he has worn #81.

I'm guessing they considered Hossa for the two years he has worn #81.

I guess he just used a poor choice of words then. When I read it, it looked like he was saying Satan, by far, scored more than anyone that ever wore #81. I think that's what he said, but what he probably meant was by scoring during the time a player was wearing #81.

[Spinner 6]

Modano has never stepped foot on the ice to play in the NHL wearing #90, that probably has something to do with it.

I declare a brain fart... lol for some reason I had a picture in my head of Modano wearing 90 some time ago.

[eva unit zero 271]

I declare a brain fart... lol for some reason I had a picture in my head of Modano wearing 90 some time ago.

All-Star Game maybe?

[55fan 5,133]

Schneider has worn 11 different numbers in his career. I did not know that.

This is a very odd list because I did not find one thing to which I take great exception. Quibbling, perhaps, but not anything that caused me to throw anything.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Pretty good list.

[egroen 384]

How could they forget the great Paul Bibeault at #0 and John Davidson at #00?????????

Where I disagree w/ the NHL's list:

#1 -- I have Plante above Sawchuk. Pretty close though.

#2 -- Eddie Shore is easily the runner-up, if not the best. I'd pick Harvey though.

#6 -- Housley is a joke, Frank Nighbor is #1, followed by Toe Blake.

#7 -- Morenz is definitely better than Esposito, IMO.

#9 -- I'd have Hull as the runner-up over Richard.

#10 -- Francis over LaFleur is a joke.

#11 -- Dickie Moore; i'd put Abel and Cournoyer ahead of Iginla as well.

#14 -- Dave Keon easily over Shanahan. Possibly Claude Provost as well.

#16 -- Easily Bobby Clarke over Brett Hull.

#17 -- Seibert for runner-up, over Kovalchuk

#18 -- I'd have Serge Savard over Denis Savard

#19 -- Tough one. Yzerman, Trottier, Sakic and Robinson???? I might lean towards Trottier; bet Yzerman would as well.

#25 -- I'd probably have Nieuwendyk and Lemaire over Andreychuk

#26 -- St. Louis or Allen Stanley as runner-up

#27 -- Mahovlich well ahead of Niedermayer

#30 -- Belfour as runner-up

#33 -- Draper should be "in the mix"

#36 -- Yushkevich should be the runner-up

#40 -- Tanguay should be the runner-up

#41 -- I'd probably have Allison first

#43 -- Brisebois

#44 -- I love the snub, but how the hell do they leave off Pronger? He is easily the best here.

#45 -- Gilbert Dionne

#46 -- Jomphe and Bernier at least deserve mention

#47 -- Stephan Lebeau

#50 -- Fedotenko for runner-up

#51 -- No mention of Kovalenko???

#54 -- Patrick Traverse should be mentioned

#57 -- Stephen Heinze

#58 -- Robert Kron

#64 -- Armand Mondou probably for runner-up

#66 -- Milan Novy is probably the 2nd greatest to wear this number

#67 -- Robert Svehla deserves mention

#70 -- Tim Thomas also wore 70

#72 -- Peter Schaefer for runner-up

#75 -- Leroy Goldsworthy for consideration

#76 -- Radek Bonk

#78 -- Maybe Landry

#93 -- Berezin for runner-up

Phew!

[MacK_Attack 108]

#7 -- Morenz is definitely better than Esposito, IMO.

#93 -- Berezin for runner-up

See, this is where I struggle. I can't say Howie Morenz was definitely better than Espo, because Morenz died around 50 years before I was born. But hey, I guess that's what makes lists like this fun. Non-stop debate.

Berezin wore #94 for most of his career, briefly wearing #95 (I think) in Montreal.

[LowTide 0]

nice

Edited September 8, 2010 by LowTide

[eva unit zero 271]

How could they forget the great Paul Bibeault at #0 and John Davidson at #00?????????

Where I disagree w/ the NHL's list:

#9 -- I'd have Hull as the runner-up over Richard.

#10 -- Francis over LaFleur is a joke.

#30 -- Belfour as runner-up

#33 -- Draper should be "in the mix"

Phew!

Hull over Richard? That's fair... close argument, everyone has their picks. I'm sure there are people who would pick Hull then Richard or vice-versa, and left Howe on the in-the-mix list.

LaFleur was a great player. So was Francis. Lafleur played 17 NHL seasons, and scored better than 1 point-per game 9 times. Francis played 23 seasons, and cleared that mark 17 times. In other words, LaFleur missed the mark 8 times while Francis did only 6. While Francis wasn't scoring 130 points in his best years, he also didn't have what is possibly the most stacked lineup ever put together around him, including three Hall-of-Fame defensemen who were also in their prime. Francis played for the Whalers, one of the league's worst and least talented teams for most of his early career, until being traded to the Penguins shortly before their two Cup wins. Mario Lemieux began to miss time out of the season, as Francis was skilled enough to provide the team with a top end center during Lemieux's time off. Francis continued to do well over the rest of his career as Lemieux played less and less, and ended up back with the Whalers, now the Carolina Hurricanes. He carried them for years before they traded him to the Hurricanes in March 2004 as the Leafs were a playoff team and the Canes were already eliminated, and they wanted to let Ronnie Franchise have one more shot. He scored 10 points in 12 games for Toronto and followed through with 4 in 12 in the playoffs.

Beyond that, Francis was an exceptional defensive player and is probably one of the best two-way centers in league history. I have also never seen anyone as good as Francis on faceoffs. Yzerman? Brind'Amour? Oates? Malhotra? Draper? Nieuwendyk? Those guys were and will likely never be Francis-like on faceoffs.

Maybe LaFleur wins. But saying it's a joke is ignorant of the last four decades of hockey.

The question is, are you rating players on their top two or three seasons, or on their whole careers?

Maybe the Belfour statement answers that it's the first one. Belfour spent most of his career wearing #20 and is more known for wearing #20. He won a Stanley Cup wearing #20 and as a consistent Vezina contender the first few years he wore #20.

As far as Draper being "in the mix" for the best ever to wear #33. That's just silly. He is nowhere CLOSE. For one thing, Draper doesn't even come close to the three players who are mentioned (Iafrate, btw, should be the runner-up) and no number higher than eleven has more than three in that list, with many having only two.