• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
ED

7 Biggest NHL Players in Today’s Game

By Tony Wolak September 4th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In today’s NHL, speed dominates. No longer can teams roster slow, hulking defensemen capable of obstructing opponents into submission. But, if a player has speed and size, they can be lethal.

According to Hockey-Graphs, the average NHLer stands six-foot-one and weighs 201 pounds (as of the 2014-15 season). When compared to the average NHL player of the 1944-45 season – five-foot-ten, 174 pounds – it appears that NHL teams have been giving their players the Captain America Super-Soldier Serum.

Today, imposing players like Zdeno Chara, Brent Burns, and Evgeni Malkin prevail. They are not the largest NHL players, though. Let’s take a look at the seven of the biggest players in the NHL today based on body mass index (BMI), which surprisingly doesn’t include Chara, Boston’s resident goliath.

Frederik Gauthier (27.9)

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 235 pounds

The “Goat” Frederick Gauthier check in at number seven on the list of the largest players in the NHL. Toronto’s fourth-line center plays a heavy game for Mike Babcock and isn’t afraid to throw his large frame around.

Brian Boyle (28.3)

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 245 pounds

The 2017-18 NHL All-Star is known for his large frame and big personality – the latter of which was recognized by fans in Tampa Bay when the former Lightning center returned for the skills competition and All-Star Game. Boyle combined his size with speed to be a versatile forward for the Nashville Predators, where he played on the penalty kill and sometimes in front of the net on the power play. Boyle is still looking for a home for the 2019-20 campaign, but will be on the ice at some point this season.

Brian Boyle Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators center Brian Boyle (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

Jamie Oleksiak (28.7)

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 255 pounds

Back in Dallas, Jamie Oleksiak patrols the blue line for the Stars. “Patrols” is the key word here, as Oleksiak towers over most forwards. You may recognize his last name as well – Oleksiak’s sister, Penny, competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and brought home a silver and two bronze medals for Canada.

Jamie Oleksiak of the Dallas Stars.
In a surprising move, Jamie Oleksiak was traded back to the Dallas Stars, the team he began his career with. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Robin Lehner (29.2)

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 240 pounds

The newly-traded Chicago Blackhawks’ goalie resembles the Michelin Man with his gear strapped on. Robin Lehner also brings back memories of an old Amstel Light ad featuring a hefty goalie.

New York Islanders Robin Lehner
Former New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In all fairness, Lehner is not a fat goalie like the netminder from the commercial but he is the largest in the NHL in terms of BMI. However, Lehner is able to move around the crease swiftly, going against the stereotype that “big goalies can’t move.”

Alex Ovechkin (29.4)

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 235 pounds

A true power forward, Alex Ovechkin has taken the NHL by storm since first appearing as a 20-year-old in 2005. With six Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies to his name, Ovechkin has already topped 600 goals and 1,000 points in his career. Despite qualifying as “overweight” on the BMI scale, the Russian forward is among the best and biggest players in the NHL today.

Alex Ovechkin, NHL, Washington Capitals
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Roman Polak (30.8)

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 240 pounds

The Stars have some hefty blueliners, huh? Roman Polak has been a beast clearing out the crease in front of Ben Bishop.

Dallas Stars Jamie Benn
Roman Polak has been celebrating a lot lately with the Dallas Stars. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The veteran can still move too, though he’s not known for joining the rush. Polak specializes in killing penalties and defensive zone coverage. He’s also known for having the second-highest BMI in the NHL.

Dustin Byfuglien (30.8)

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 260 pounds

After being the only large player to qualify as “obese” on the BMI scale, Dustin Byfuglien is officially the biggest player in the NHL. “Big Buff” gained notoriety around the NHL as an immovable force when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks and helped lead his team to the 2009-10 Stanley Cup.

Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien
Winnipeg Jets’ Dustin Byfuglien (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Now in Winnipeg, Byfuglien is a fan-favorite for his thunderous hits and slap shots from the point. Byfuglien can skate as well – he frequently joins the rush up ice and contributes to the offensive game.

Stats provided by NHL.com.

  • Tags
  • Alex Ovechkin
  • Dustin Byfuglien
  • Robin Lehner
  • Roman Polak
  • Zdeno Chara
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
4 NHL Backup Goalies Who Should Be Starters

4 NHL Backup Goalies Who Should Be Starters

10797
7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

64894
Recent Posts
Dec 15th 1:15 AM
Arizona Coyotes

Palmieri, Devils Beat Coyotes 2-1 to End 7-Game Skid

Dec 15th 1:05 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

Faulk Caps 4-Goal Rally; Blues Beat Blackhawks 4-3

Dec 15th 12:55 AM
Boston Bruins

Pastrnak Scores 2 Goals, Bruins Snap Winless Streak

Dec 15th 12:51 AM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks Beat Canucks 4-2 to Snap 6-Game Skid

Dec 15th 12:45 AM
Edmonton Oilers

Andersen’s 36-Save Performance Helps Power Maple Leafs past Oilers 4-1

Dec 15th 12:35 AM
Detroit Red Wings

Bernier Makes 42 Saves, Red Wings down Canadiens

Dec 15th 12:25 AM
Tampa Bay Lightning

Eller, Hathaway, Capitals Beat Lightning 5-2

Dec 15th 12:15 AM
Minnesota Wild

Staal Nets Pair, Wild Stay Hot at Home by Beating Flyers 4-1

Dec 14th 9:55 PM
Dallas Stars

Khudobin Helps Stars Beat Predators for 4th Win in 5 Games

Dec 14th 7:45 PM
Column

The Wild’s Week: Kicking off the Weekend Right

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW