Best Finnish NHL Players of All Time

The Top 10 Finnish NHL Players

1. Teemu Selanne

• 684 career goals (fourth all-time)
• 1,457 career points
• 76-goal rookie season (1992-93)
• Stanley Cup champion (2007)
• Calder Trophy winner

2. Jari Kurri

• 601 career goals
• 1,398 career points
• Five Stanley Cups (Edmonton dynasty)
• Elite two-way winger
• Hall of Fame inductee

3. Tuukka Rask

• 308 career wins
• .921 career save percentage
• Vezina Trophy (2014)
• Boston Bruins all-time wins leader
• Elite modern goaltender

4. Miikka Kiprusoff

• 319 career wins
• Vezina Trophy (2006)
• Calgary Flames workhorse
• 2004 Stanley Cup Finals
• 2.49 career GAA

5. Aleksander Barkov

• 700+ career points
• Two Selke Trophies
• Stanley Cup champion (2024)
• Florida Panthers captain
• Elite two-way center

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6. Saku Koivu

• 832 career points
• Montreal Canadiens first European captain
• Cancer survivor, symbol of resilience
• Elite playmaker
• 18 NHL seasons

7. Mikko Rantanen

• 700+ career points
• Multiple 100+ point seasons
• Colorado Avalanche star
• Stanley Cup champion (2022)
• Still building legacy

8. Patrik Laine

• 200+ career goals
• Elite goal-scorer
• Two consecutive 44-goal seasons
• Still active, climbing rankings

9. Valtteri Filppula

• 750+ career points
• Stanley Cup champion (2008)
• Long NHL career
• Consistent two-way center

10. Mikael Granlund

• 550+ career points
• Elite playmaker
• Minnesota Wild/Nashville star
• Consistent 50-60 point producer

Selanne: "The Finnish Flash"

Teemu Selanne's case for greatest Finnish player ever:

Record-Breaking Rookie:

• 76 goals (1992-93, rookie record)
• 132 points as rookie
• Calder Trophy winner
• Changed expectations for rookies

Career Excellence:

• 684 career goals (fourth all-time)
• 1,457 career points
• 21 NHL seasons
• Multiple 50-goal seasons

Late Career Success:

• Stanley Cup champion (2007, age 37)
• Productive into 40s
• Winnipeg/Anaheim legend

Selanne combined speed, shooting, and longevity into one of the greatest careers in NHL history.

Read more: NHL Rookies Trivia: Calder Winners & Notable Rookie Seasons

Kurri: The Dynasty Winger

Jari Kurri was the first Finnish NHL superstar:

Edmonton Dynasty:

• Five Stanley Cups (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
• Playing alongside Wayne Gretzky
• 601 career goals
• 1,398 career points

Two-Way Excellence:

• Elite defensive forward
• Penalty-killing specialist
• 200+ power-play goals
• Complete player

Legacy: Kurri set the template for Finnish players: skilled, responsible, and championship-proven. Every Finnish forward since has been compared to him.

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Finnish Goaltending: "Goalie Island"

Finland's reputation as "Goalie Island" stems from elite netminders:

Tuukka Rask:

• 308 career wins
• .921 save percentage (elite)
• Vezina Trophy (2014)
• Boston all-time wins leader

Miikka Kiprusoff:

• 319 career wins
• Vezina Trophy (2006)
• 2.49 career GAA
• 2004 Stanley Cup Finals MVP

Why Finland Produces Goalies:

• Strong development systems
• Emphasis on technique
• Cultural focus on goaltending
• SM-liiga training ground

Read more: NHL Goalies Trivia: Wins, Shutouts & Weird Records

Barkov: Modern Two-Way Excellence

Aleksander Barkov represents the new generation:

Elite Defense:

• Two Selke Trophies (2021, 2024)
• Elite shutdown center
• Best defensive forward in NHL

Offensive Production:

• 700+ career points
• Consistent 80-90 point seasons
• Complete two-way game

Leadership:

• Florida Panthers captain
• Stanley Cup champion (2024)
• Franchise cornerstone

Barkov could eventually climb into top 3 all-time Finnish players with continued excellence.

Saku Koivu: Resilience and Leadership

Saku Koivu's legacy extends beyond statistics:

Montreal Captaincy:

• First European captain in Canadiens history
• Cultural significance in hockey-mad city
• Elite playmaker

Cancer Battle:

• Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (2001)
• Returned same season
• Symbol of courage and resilience

Production:

• 832 career points
• 18 NHL seasons
• Elite two-way center

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Modern Stars Climbing the Ranks

Mikko Rantanen:

• 700+ points already
• Multiple 100+ point seasons
• Stanley Cup champion (2022)
• Could reach 1,000 points

Sebastian Aho:

• 600+ career points
• Carolina Hurricanes franchise player
• Elite two-way center
• Still in prime

Patrik Laine:

• Elite goal-scorer
• Two consecutive 44-goal seasons
• Powerful one-timer
• Rebuilding career trajectory

These players could all crack top 10 all-time Finnish players with sustained excellence.

Finnish Production Leaders

Goals:

1. Teemu Selanne: 684
2. Jari Kurri: 601
3. Olli Jokinen: 321
4. Aleksander Barkov: 300+
5. Mikko Rantanen: 280+

Points:

1. Teemu Selanne: 1,457
2. Jari Kurri: 1,398
3. Olli Jokinen: 750
4. Saku Koivu: 832
5. Aleksander Barkov: 700+

Wins (Goalies):

1. Miikka Kiprusoff: 319
2. Tuukka Rask: 308
3. Pekka Rinne: 369

These leaders showcase Finland's depth, particularly in goaltending.

Selanne vs. Kurri: The Debate

Case for Selanne:

• More career goals (684 vs. 601)
• More career points (1,457 vs. 1,398)
• Record-breaking rookie season
• Longer career (21 vs. 17 seasons)

Case for Kurri:

• Five Stanley Cups vs. one
• Part of dynasty
• Better two-way player
• Higher playoff production

Verdict: Most rank Selanne first due to raw numbers and individual dominance, but Kurri's five Cups and dynasty role give him strong counter-argument.

Read more: NHL Playoff Trivia: Stanley Cup Series History

International Success

Finnish NHL success mirrors international achievements:

Olympic Medals: Multiple medals with NHL stars leading roster.

World Championships: Regular contenders with NHL talent.

Reputation: Finland punches above weight class in international hockey, with NHL stars driving success.

Legacy: Finland's NHL Impact

Despite smaller population than Sweden or Russia, Finland has produced elite NHL talent across all positions. From Kurri's dynasty success to Selanne's scoring records to modern goaltending excellence, Finnish players are known for reliability, two-way play, and championship contributions.

The "Finnish Mafia" reputation in NHL circles reflects how respected Finnish players are for their professionalism, skill, and team-first mentality.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

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