While many unbreakable records are debated in sports, Martin Brodeur`s 691 career wins as an NHL goalie stands out as a truly remarkable achievement.
Despite modern players potentially matching Brodeur`s dedication and longevity, current NHL strategies of resting goalies make it challenging for anyone to surpass his win record.
Just how significant is Brodeur`s lead? And who else ranks among the top 10 winningest goalies? Let`s examine the NHL`s all-time wins leaders.
10. Tony Esposito, 423 Wins
Tony Esposito played from 1967 to 1984 for the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. A three-time Vezina Trophy winner (awarded to the goalie with the fewest goals allowed before 1981-82), Esposito set a modern NHL record with 15 shutouts in 1970. He won a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1969 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
9. Jacques Plante, 437 Wins
Jacques Plante`s career spanned from 1947 to 1975, with stints on the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Edmonton Oilers. He led Montreal to six Stanley Cups, including five consecutive wins. Plante earned the Hart Trophy (MVP) in 1962 and a record seven Vezina Trophies. He is also celebrated for popularizing the goalie mask. Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
8. Terry Sawchuk, 445 Wins
Terry Sawchuk, an 11-time All-Star from 1949 to 1970, won four Stanley Cups. A four-time Vezina winner, he was the first goalie to reach 100 career regular-season shutouts. Sawchuk still holds the second-most shutouts in NHL history (103), second only to Martin Brodeur`s 125. The Detroit Red Wings retired his No. 1 in 1994, and he entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.
7. Curtis Joseph, 454 Wins
Despite being undrafted, Curtis `Cujo` Joseph became a prominent goalie for teams like the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, and Calgary Flames. Joseph made history as the first NHL goalie to achieve 30-win seasons with five different teams and was a three-time All-Star. Although he never reached the Stanley Cup Final, he had a remarkable career.
6. Henrik Lundqvist, 459 Wins
Henrik Lundqvist dedicated his 20-year NHL career to the New York Rangers. He is unique in NHL history for starting his career with seven straight 30-win seasons, consistently achieving at least 20 wins in his first 11 seasons. Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy in 2012 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year.
5. Ed Belfour, 484 Wins
Ed Belfour, another undrafted talent, played for 19 seasons with teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. He won the Stanley Cup in 1999, earned Vezina Trophies in 1991 and 1993, and received the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award in 2000. A six-time All-Star, Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.
4. Roberto Luongo, 489 Wins
Roberto Luongo`s 19-year NHL career included stints with the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks. Drafted as the No. 4 overall pick in 1997, he became a six-time All-Star and a Hart Trophy finalist in 2007. Luongo ranks second in NHL history for games played by a goalie (1,044) and saves (28,409), both behind Martin Brodeur. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022.
3. Patrick Roy, 551 Wins
Patrick Roy, the No. 51 pick in the 1984 NHL draft, played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. Upon retiring in 2003, he was the NHL`s all-time wins leader, later surpassed by others on this list. Roy still holds the record for playoff wins (151). He won four Stanley Cups, three Vezina Trophies, and three Conn Smythe Trophies. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006, Roy is currently the head coach of the New York Islanders.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury, 575 Wins
Marc-Andre Fleury is the only active goalie on this list, currently with the Minnesota Wild and planning to retire after the 2024-25 season. He`s the sole active goalie in the top 15 for career wins, having also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Chicago Blackhawks. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2003, Fleury has lived up to expectations, becoming a five-time All-Star, winning three Stanley Cups and a Vezina Trophy in 2021.
1. Martin Brodeur, 691 Wins
Martin Brodeur`s NHL legacy includes the most wins, shutouts (125), and games played (1,266) for a goalie. Over his 22-year career, the nine-time All-Star secured three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, 2003) and four Vezina Trophies (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008). Brodeur was a three-time Hart Trophy nominee and achieved 12 consecutive 30-win seasons (including eight 40-win seasons). He was named one of the NHL`s 100 Greatest Players and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
Benedict Kingsley