*this article was updated in October 2025
**this archive was originally written by Ryan Gagne
Hockey players train their entire lives to make it to the best league in the world and work even harder to stay. Although everyone dreams of hoisting the Stanley Cup at some point, others have the privilege of playing their entire careers with one organization and never get that chance at a championship.
Related: 10 NHL Players Who Played Their Entire Career With One Team
Very few skaters in league history have played their whole careers with one organization because, in a salary-cap world, it’s hard to stay competitive for extended periods without significant roster turnover. With that, here is the list of longest-tenured players who have admirably remained with their current NHL teams.
*Please note that in the event of a tie, the nod goes to the player with the most games played with that franchise.
Seattle Kraken – Adam Larsson (Oct. 12, 2021)
The Seattle Kraken is the NHL’s latest expansion team and signed their first player, Luke Henman, on May 12, 2021. During the expansion draft (July 21, 2021), management picked all their players internally before announcing the names alphabetically. Meanwhile, Matty Breniers is the club’s first-ever Entry Draft pick, second overall in 2021. Considering every player on the current roster started at zero NHL games with the team, their longest-tenured player is Adam Larsson, who has missed only a single game in franchise history
San Jose Sharks – Mario Ferraro (Oct. 2, 2019)
With Marc-Edouard Vlasic having been bought out, fellow-defenseman Mario Ferraro inherits the title of longest-serving San Jose Shark on a rebuilding team. Drafted 49th overall in 2017 and debuting two seasons later, Ferraro has over 400 games played under his belt.
Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin (Oct. 4, 2018)
With the departure of Zemgus Girgensons, captain and 2018 first-overall pick Rasmus Dahlin is the longest-tenured Buffalo Sabre. He is the team’s top defenseman and has appeared in over 500 career games and has more than 350 points.
Anaheim Ducks – Troy Terry (March 27, 2018)
With goalie John Gibson having been traded to the Detroit Red Wings, forward Troy Terry, who has led the Anaheim Ducks in scoring in two of the last four years, becomes the franchise’s longest-tenured player. Drafted 148th overall in 2015, Terry first joined the Ducks to close out the 2017-18 season.
Having spent some time in the American Hockey League over his first few seasons as a professional, Terry. hasn’t looked back since 2020-21. He scoreda career-high 67 points (75 games) the following campaign, in the first of those two aforementioned team-leading seasons (2024-25).
Vegas Golden Knights – Brayden McNabb (Oct. 6, 2017)
Like the Kraken, the Vegas Golden Knights started from scratch in 2018, signing Reid Duke as the first player in team history on Mar. 6, 2017.
During the expansion draft on June 21, 2017, their first pick was Calvin Pickard, and in the 2021 Entry Draft, they selected Cody Class. As of 2025, Brayden McNabb leads the franchise in games played.
Vancouver Canucks – Brock Boeser (Mar. 25, 2017)
Brock Boeser was a Vancouver Canucks first-round pick (23rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Since making his debut late in the 2016-17 season as a 19-year-old, he’s been a fixture in the team’s lineup for almost 550 games, where he’s compiled close to 450 points.
New Jersey Devils – Jesper Bratt (Oct. 7, 2017)
Jesper Bratt and captain Nico Hischier both made their NHL debuts for the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 7, 2017, against the Colorado Avalanche. However, Bratt outranks Hischier in games played by more than 20 since Hischier missed a chunk of time in 2020-21. As a sixth-round pick (162nd overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Bratt has established himself as one of the Devils’ core players with four consecutive 70-plus-point seasons. Overall, after 547 games, he’s surpassed 445 points.
Chicago Blackhawks – Connor Murphy (Oct. 5, 2017)
Connor Murphy joined the Chicago Blackhawks in a June 2017 trade that sent Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Arizona Coyotes. As one of the few players left on the team to skate with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Murphy is the 10th oldest member in the current lineup, despite being placed on LTIR in January 2024. During his seven-season Blackhawks tenure, he’s skated in over 400 games and has surpassed 100 points.
Ottawa Senators – Thomas Chabot (Oct. 18, 2016)
Thomas Chabot joined the Ottawa Senators as the 18th overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft. After eight seasons, the 27-year-old is the team’s longest-tenured player and the only holdover from the 2016-17 team that lost in the Eastern Conference Final (despite playing only one regular season game and not having appeared in the playoffs). After 500 games, he’s recently surpassed 300 career points.
Utah Hockey Club – Lawson Crouse (Oct. 15, 2016)
Lawson Crouse made his NHL debut on Oct. 15, 2016, and is the longest-tenured member of the now-Utah Mammoth. After being the 11th overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers and traded to the then-Arizona Coyotes, he skated 72 games in 2016-17 as a 19-year-old before spending most of the 2017-18 season in the American Hockey League with the Tucson Roadrunners. Since becoming an NHL regular, he’s eclipsed 200 points.
New York Rangers – Mika Zibanejad (Oct. 13, 2016)
Officially, Mika Zibanejad is now the longest-tenured New York Ranger, having been traded to the Big Apple by the Ottawa Senators in the summer of 2018 as part of a deal involving Derick Brassard. A veteran of over 900 NHL games, Zibanejad has suited up for the Blueshirts for over 600 of them as a regular top-six contributor, scoring a career-high 91 points in 2022-23.
Technically though, J.T. Miller debuted for the Rangers earlier, on Feb. 5, 2013. He just ended up playing for multiple teams before returning in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks last season centered around Filip Chytil. A 2011 first-round pick (15th overall), Miller initially played six seasons with the Rangers before getting traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning with Ryan McDonagh in 2018. He was eventually traded again to the Canucks, with whom he emerged as a consistent top-line presence, scoring a career-high 103 points in 2023-24.
Detroit Red Wings – Dylan Larkin (Oct. 9, 2015)
Dylan Larkin is the only member of the Detroit Red Wings lineup who has skated in a playoff game with the franchise, in his first season with the club in 2015-16. They haven’t made it to the postseason since. The former 15th overall pick from the 2014 Entry Draft has played 10 seasons in Detroit and has been captain since 2020-21. He recently surpassed 700 games and 560 points.
St. Louis Blues – Colton Parayko (Oct. 8, 2015)
Colton Parayko joined the St. Louis Blues as a third-round pick (86th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since debuting in October 2015, he has played for the team for 10 seasons and was one of its top defensemen when they captured the Stanley Cup in 2019. He just hit 700 career games played.
Boston Bruins – David Pastrnak (Nov. 24, 2014)
When the Boston Bruins traded Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers at the 2025 Deadline, David Pastrnak became the Bruins’ longest-tenured player, and it’s not that close. He was drafted 25th overall in 2014 and made his NHL debut in November of the same year. He had to wait until January to score his first NHL goal, but it’s all been downhill since then.
In the seasons that have followed, he’s been a four-time All-Star, one-time winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals, and finished as a Hart Trophy finalist in 2023. Considering he’s only 29 and has six years left on his contract, he’s a good candidate to be the Bruins’ next captain and will likely be the team’s representative on this list for years to come.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Morgan Rielly (Oct. 5, 2013)
Morgan Rielly was a first-round draft pick (5th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, who made his debut a season later as a 19-year-old. In 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’s been part of some great moments and some rather disappointing ones (one playoff series victory). As Rielly approaches 900 games, he’s passed 500 points, with the seventh-most assists in Maple Leafs’ history.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Boone Jenner (Oct. 4, 2013)
Bonne Jenner was a second-round pick (37th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft who has skated in over 700 games during his 12-year career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Approaching 200 goals and 400 points, he’s also close to the franchise records for lamplighters (289) and points (547). In their history, the Blue Jackets have made the playoffs six times, and Jenner has been there for five of them, getting named team captain in 2021-22.
Florida Panthers – Aleksander Barkov (Oct. 3, 2013)
Aleksander Barkov, a former second-overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, debuted for the Florida Panthers as an 18-year-old and won the Frank J. Selke Trophy three times. Overall, he’s scored at least 20 goals in the past 10 campaigns, netting a career-high of 39 in 2021-21. Barkov was named captain in 2018-19, leading the team to consecutive Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.
Montreal Canadiens – Brendan Gallagher (Jan. 22, 2013)
As a fifth-round pick (147th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Brendan Gallagher has been skating with the Montreal Canadiens for the past 13 seasons. Recently having eclipsed 800 games, he’s collected 450 points with over 550 penalty minutes. A two-time 30-goal scorer, Gallagher was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team during his first season in 2012-13.
Carolina Hurricanes – Jordan Staal (Jan. 19, 2013)
Jordan Staal was drafted second overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning the Stanley Cup in 2009. In 2012, he joined the Carolina Hurricanes, where he’s been for the past 13 seasons. Named team captain in 2019-20, he’s scored over 450 points in 850 games while playing in Raleigh.
New York Islanders – Casey Cizikas (Feb. 24, 2012)
Casey Cizikas went from being a fourth-round draft pick (92nd overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to the longest-tenured player in the New York Islanders lineup in 2024-25. As a bottom-six forward, he’s compiled more than 250 points in nearly 900 games while playing in the Eastern Conference Final in 2020 and 2021.
Nashville Predators – Roman Josi (Nov. 26, 2011)
Roman Josi has spent his entire 14-year career with the Nashville Predators, who drafted him in the second round (38th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The 2019-20 Norris Memorial Trophy winner is the franchise leader in assists, points, and games played and third in goals (Filip Forsberg). Considering Josi is signed through the 2027-28 season, there’s a good chance he continues to climb the list of longest-tenured players.
Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oct. 9, 2011)
The Edmonton Oilers had a run of first overall picks (2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015), with only Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Connor McDavid (2015) remaining on the team. Nugent-Hopkins cracked the lineup as an 18-year-old in 2011-12 and hasn’t left. Serving as an alternate captain since 2015-16, he’s closing in on 750 points and 1,000 games.
Winnipeg Jets – Mark Scheifele (Oct. 9, 2011)
Mark Scheifele was a first-round selection (7th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and he still plays with the team that selected him. He took the long road to becoming an NHL regular, playing just 11 games through his first two years before officially making the Winnipeg Jets’ lineup as a 20-year-old in 2013-14. As Scheifele approaches 900 games, he’s scored nearly 800 points and already ranks in the top two in franchise history in games played, assists and points. He meanwhile leads the franchise in all-time goals.
Colorado Avalanche – Gabriel Landeskog (Oct. 8, 2011)
Returning to action after a lengthy multi-season absence due to injury, Gabriel Landeskog suited up for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That gives him back the title of the team’s longest-tenured player over Nathan MacKinnon, with the Swede having first played for the Avs months after having been drafted second overall in 2011.
Philadelphia Flyers – Sean Couturier (Oct. 6, 2011)
Sean Couturier debuted in 2011-12, two seasons after the Philadelphia Flyers lost in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. That team started to be disassembled, leaving room for him to become the face of the next generation of stars, getting named captain during the 2023-24 season. The 2020 Frank J. Selke Trophy winner is approaching 550 points and 900 games.
Minnesota Wild – Jared Spurgeon (Nov. 29, 2010)
Jared Spurgeon was a sixth-round New York Islanders pick (156th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft who has morphed into the Minnesota Wild’s longest-tenured player after 15 seasons. As he approaches 950 games with over 400 points to his name, Spurgeon has a chance to pass Mikko Koivu for most games played in franchise history, having already become the team’s highest-scoring defenseman.
Dallas Stars – Jamie Benn (Oct. 3, 2009)
Jamie Benn was a fifth-round pick (129th overall) who made his NHL debut in 2009-10. He is an Art Ross Trophy winner (2014-15), having played in two All-Star Games. He has been captain of the Dallas Stars since 2013-14 and only sits behind franchise icon Mike Modano in games played, goals and points. He meanwhile trails Modano and Neal Broten for the most assists in franchise history. During his captaincy, Dallas has won two divisional titles and appeared in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Victor Hedman (Oct. 3, 2009)
Victor Hedman has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since they drafted him second overall in 2009. He made his NHL debut that fall and is likely to play his entire career with the Bolts. He has one Norris Memorial Trophy, one Conn Smythe Trophy, two Stanley Cups and four All-Star Game appearances. He was also named team captain following Steven Stamkos’ departure via free agency in 2024.
Calgary Flames – Mikael Backlund (Jan. 8, 2009)
Mikael Backlund is the only player in the Calgary Flames lineup who has skated under three general managers after being selected 24th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. As the current captain, he became the first draft pick in franchise history to reach 1,000 career games.
Related: 7 Cool Things About Mikael Backlund
Los Angeles Kings – Anže Kopitar (Oct. 6, 2006)
For many years, Dustin Brown was the captain of the Los Angeles Kings, but the team’s offense still flowed through Anže Kopitar. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has totaled over 1,200 points, ranking second behind Marcel Dionne for the top spot in team history. As one of the top defensive forwards of his generation, he holds the franchise records for games played and assists.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby (Oct. 5, 2005)
Since 2005, Sidney Crosby has won three Stanley Cups, two scoring titles, two league MVPs, and collected close to 1,700 points and more than 600 goals. He is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ all-time leader in games played, with over 1,300, becoming the first player in club history to suit up for 1,000. Crosby is an irrefutable first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Washington Capitals – Alex Ovechkin (Oct. 5, 2005)
Alex Ovechkin has been terrorizing goalies since debuting in 2005, passing Wayne Gretzky’s one-time record for goals scored in 2024-25. Now its sole owner, he’s on the verge of hitting 900 in his 21st season, all with the Washington Capitals.
Related: Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin and the Goalies They Scored On
Besides winning a record nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies, he has long since cemented his legacy as one of the greatest by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup in 2018.
Today, transactions have become more common in the past 50 years, but most of these skaters have defied the odds and built impressive careers with the teams where they rank as the longest-tenured players. Considering that 65% of this list are first-round draft picks, most of these franchises have built their cores around elite prospects now in their leadership groups thanks to lengthy careers in their sweaters.
