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Best Swiss NHL Players of All Time

Switzerland's top NHL talent is smaller in volume, but the quality at the top is strong, led by Roman Josi and Mark Streit. Josi is widely considered the best Swiss NHL player so far: Norris Trophy winner, long-time Nashville captain, frequent 60-to-80-point defenseman, and cornerstone of both club and national team. Streit was the first Swiss-born player to serve as captain of an NHL team (the Islanders), an all-situations defenseman who also played forward and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. Together, they changed the perception of Swiss players from "depth guys" to legitimate top-pair options.

January 25, 2026

The Top 10 Swiss NHL Players

1. Roman Josi: The Elite Number One

Roman Josi has established himself as Switzerland's greatest NHL player.

Career Highlights:

700+ career points (190 goals, 510+ assists)
Norris Trophy (2020)
Nashville Predators captain
Multiple 60-80 point seasons
Elite two-way defenseman

Dominance: Josi's 96-point season (2021-22) set Swiss records and proved he belongs among NHL's elite offensive defensemen.

Leadership: Captain of Nashville for over a decade, representing Switzerland at every major tournament.

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2. Mark Streit

The pioneer who opened doors for Swiss players.

Career Overview:

434 career points (96 goals, 338 assists)
First Swiss NHL captain (Islanders)
786 career games
All-situations defenseman

Versatility: Streit played both forward and defense in NHL, showcasing Swiss hockey's emphasis on skating and skill.

Legacy: IIHF Hall of Fame inductee, changed perception of Swiss players from depth to impact.

3. Nino Niederreiter

Switzerland's most productive forward.

Production:

500+ career points (240+ goals, 260+ assists)
Multiple 20-goal seasons
Strong two-way middle-six profile
900+ career games

Consistency: Reliable 40-50 point producer across multiple teams.

4. Timo Meier

Modern power winger with goal-scoring upside.

Stats:

400+ career points (200+ goals, 200+ assists)
40-goal season (2021-22)
High shot volume
Physical presence

Potential: At age 28, could climb to second all-time Swiss player with sustained production.

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5. Nico Hischier

Elite young center building legacy.

Early Career:

First overall pick (2017)
New Jersey Devils captain
400+ points in first seven seasons
Elite two-way center

Future: Projects as potential top-three Swiss player with continued excellence.

6. Jonas Hiller

Switzerland's best goaltender.

Career:

218 career wins
.912 career save percentage
Anaheim Ducks/Calgary starter
Vezina finalist (2010)

7. Martin Gerber

Swiss goaltending pioneer.

Stats:

145 career wins
Multiple seasons as starter
Ottawa Senators/Carolina
Proved Swiss goalies could succeed

8. Kevin Fiala

High-skill winger with elite upside.

Production:

450+ career points
85-point season (2021-22)
Elite skating and finishing
Los Angeles Kings star

9. Raphael Diaz

Offensive defenseman who carved out NHL career.

Career:

100+ career points
Montreal Canadiens/Calgary
Power-play specialist
Smooth skating

10. Luca Sbisa

Physical defenseman with long career.

Stats:

100+ career points
Over 600 games played
Stanley Cup champion (2016, Pittsburgh)
Shutdown defender

Josi: How Elite Is He?

Among NHL Defensemen

Roman Josi ranks among the best offensive defensemen of his generation:

Production:

Multiple 60+ point seasons
96-point season (2021-22)
Elite power-play quarterback
Two-way excellence

Norris Trophy: Won 2020, multiple other finalist appearances.

Gap Over Other Swiss: Josi's 700+ points dwarf Streit's 434 and Niederreiter's 500+, showing complete dominance.

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Swiss Development Model

Skating, Defense, Goaltending Focus

Switzerland's hockey development prioritizes specific skills:

Skating: Swiss players known for elite skating ability (Josi, Streit, Fiala all exceptional skaters).

Defense: Emphasis on two-way play produces responsible forwards and elite defensemen.

Goaltending: Strong goalie development (Hiller, Gerber) gave national program credibility.

Result: More Josi-type profiles (two-way defensemen) than pure scorers, though Meier and Fiala represent offensive evolution.

Modern Swiss Stars

Nico Hischier: Future Top Three

First overall pick building elite career:

Accomplishments:

New Jersey captain
400+ points by age 26
Elite two-way center
Swiss national team captain

Projection: Could challenge Streit for second all-time with sustained excellence.

Timo Meier: Goal-Scoring Threat

Power winger with 40-goal upside:

Production:

40 goals (2021-22)
Physical presence
High shot volume
Elite one-timer

Kevin Fiala: High-Skill Winger

Elite offensive talent:

Best Season:

85 points (2021-22)
Elite skating
Playmaking ability
Los Angeles Kings star

Swiss Production Leaders

Goals:

Nino Niederreiter: 240+
Timo Meier: 200+
Roman Josi: 190+

Points:

Roman Josi: 700+
Nino Niederreiter: 500+
Kevin Fiala: 450+
Mark Streit: 434

Wins (Goalies):

Jonas Hiller: 218
Martin Gerber: 145

Josi's point total separates him from all other Swiss players.

International Success

World Championship Upsets

Switzerland's NHL stars power international success:

Notable Results:

Regular medal contenders at World Championships
Olympic upsets with NHL talent
Josi, Hischier, Meier lead roster

Growing Profile: Swiss success at international tournaments driven by increasing NHL talent pool.

Legacy: Switzerland's NHL Impact

Switzerland has evolved from producing depth players to elite NHL stars. Roman Josi's Norris Trophy and elite production, combined with emerging stars like Hischier and Meier, show Switzerland's growing hockey strength.

The Swiss development model emphasizing skating, defense, and two-way play has produced NHL-caliber talent across all positions, with more young stars in the pipeline.

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