Slapshot Making America Hate Again Zip
The 50 Hardest Slap Shots in NHL History
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The slap shot.
Until the 1950'southward in the NHL, coaches frowned on the use of the slap shot during games because information technology was thought to take too long for a player to get it off. Why waste material time winding upward and allowing defenders and goalies to ready upwards for the shot?
It was idea that there were much improve, more effiecient ways to get off a shot at the net, then taking a lengthy wind-up and firing it inaccurately.
But since that time when the slap shot was brought into the game, it has been the nearly lethal weapon for players from generation to generation, striking fear into goaltenders and allowing the NHL's nigh powerful players to strut their stuff on a league-wide level.
As the art of the shot has evolved, so too has the technology of the equipment used; especially the stick. Gone are the days when players use a wooden stick, fresh of the trunk of a tree and nowadays it's all most the composite.
Introduced late in the 1999-2000 flavor when Easton Hockey had so-rookie for the New Jersey Devils, Scott Gomez try out the first Easton Synergy. Since that time, near every role player in the league uses some grade of the blended stick, which allows more than ability and the ability to get the shot of quicker due to the stick'due south lightweight characteristic.
It changed the manner the game was played, simply don't think for a second that players earlier the blended stick era didn't have canons either. Some of the near feared slap shots in history come up from players who used wooden sticks all though their careers, and still managed to clock some of the fastest shots ever taken.
Information technology's difficult to rank the 50 players with the hardest shot, only because of how much the game has changed and advanced.
Questions will ever remain about comparing players of today'due south NHL to yesterdays, and whether a harder shot now with better engineering trumps a hard shot 'back in the twenty-four hour period' with a wooden stick, or visa versa.
Players are bigger and stronger at present than they e'er were, but that doesn't necessarily mean guys with hard shots now are amend than every guy who had a difficult shot back then, does it?
It'south also much more than than just looking at the All-Star weekends' hardest shot competitions (which has only been around since 1990) and comparing shots taken over the years. Having a hard shot is more than than just a old brandish of power in a not-game setting. It'due south about existence known league-wide for having the ability to unleash a rocket at whatsoever moment in a game.
Recognition is an much apart of this list as anything. But recorded shot speeds will also be taken into consideration, likewise every bit era they played in, and how effective their shot really was during games. It all comes into play.
The slapshot represents the evolution of hockey, each time a player winds upwards to unload, with the oversupply growing in anticipation simply every bit the puck is launched, knowing that in less than a second the unabridged game could alter. It's more than but a shot. It carries with it an attitude and swagger that few other areas of the game do.
And with all the changes the NHL has seen over the years, that attitude, that swagger carried by those who ain one of the hardest shots in history, that is something that will never change.
Here are the fifty players in NHL history who did it best.
50. Bernie 'Boom Boom' Geoffrion
His shot may have been goose egg to brag well-nigh compared to many men to come after him, but if there is ane affair he can brag near; it's the slap shot itself.
From his own accordance, as a immature boy, Bernie Geoffrion invented the slap shot and was the first to use it in a game. And if the self-proclaimed inventor of one of the most powerful aspects of the game today is telling the truth, so he deserves a spot on this listing for that reason lone.
He was given the nickname 'Boom Boom' because of his difficult slap shot and the frequency that he used in during a game.
Undoubtedly someone would have come up with the shot had he not done information technology offset, but the fact that he did information technology, that he put his mark on the game, is impressive enough to rank every bit one of the best of all time.
49. Chris Chelios
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Chris Chelios. He defined difficult piece of work. He defined longevity. And since 1983 when he started his career with the Montreal Canadiens, he divers force in the NHL.
He played 25 season with the Canadiens, Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Thrashers before hanging them up at the ripe one-time historic period of 48.
Players envied him for his forcefulness and his piece of work ethic, and of both of those pb to Chelios having i of the hardest shots in the history of the game. He scored just 185 goals in the 1,651 games he played, but don't let the stats fool you lot, he had a bomb from the signal.
But enquire the hundreds of defenders who dared cake ane of his shots. The bruises might notwithstanding be there.
48. Steve Yzerman
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Steve Yzerman gets on this listing simply because he scored one of the greatest goals in playoff history, and it happened to be a slap shot. I know, I know, being ane of the 50 hardest shooters in the league means more than merely one shot, and don't get me wrong, Yzerman had a cannon, but no more obvious was that than in double overtime of Game Seven of the 1996 Western Briefing Semifinals against the St. Louis Dejection.
Less than two minutes into the period, Yzerman carried the puck into the zone and just equally he hit the blue line, with Wayne Gretzky five feet to his left, he unloaded a rocket over the shoulder of Jon Casey and sent the city of Detroit into a frenzy.
The Red Wings captain had a ton of big goals in his illustrious career, but that shot will forever exist remembered as one of the nigh incredible moments in playoff history.
47. Jari Kurri
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You call up him equally the corking Edmonton Oilers player who scored 601 goals and i,398 points in his career, only you may not remember how great of a slap shot he really had. Quite only, Jari Kurri could shoot with the best of them.
It took more than just existence Gretzky's teammate to score that many goals, and Kurri used his shot to his advantage frequently. It's the kind of shot that allows you to score more than 50 goals in a season 4 times, including the 1984-85 flavour when he potted 71 goals in 73 games.
That'southward simply crazy.
The legend who was a major part of the Oilers dynasty in the 80'due south, winning the Cup five times in that decade (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990) truly had an incredible slap shot, and is worthy of number 47 on this list.
46. Doug Harvey
He is considered to be ane of the best defenseman to ever play the game, and certainly one of the best Montreal Canadiens. Doug Harvey was a rock on defense, and was one of the best skating defenders this league has ever seen. With his speed and puck-moving ability, he was e'er dangerous on the ice and was a big part of the six Stanley Cup victories during his fourth dimension with the Canadiens.
Though he never put upwardly big offensive numbers (88 career goals in 1,113 games), he was always considered to have one of, if not the all-time shot on the team during their dynasty years. He was likewise playing with some of the all-time scorers in history, and thus was not relied on to exercise any heavy lifting.
He won seven Norris Trophies during his career and was named an All Star eleven consecutive seasons.
His shot put fear into those who played against him, and the combination of strength and speed made him an incredibly difficult player to play against. He merely understood the game, and that's why he's one of the best to ever patrol the blue line.
45. Glenn Anderson
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Glenn Anderson took three,108 shots in his outstanding NHL career, but I wonder if he wishes he took simply 2 more. He finished his career with 498 goals, 2 shy of the illustrious 500-goal mark.
Bated from that 'most', Anderson was known as a goal-scorer who could score from anywhere on the ice. His powerful shot helped him to two 50-goal seasons, and over 30 goals nine times. You might argue that he merely benefited from playing with some of the greatest this game has ever seen, only you can't contend with consistency.
He may have finished his career two goals short of the 500-mark, but I'm sure the six Stanley Cups he won make the personal achievements seem adjacent to null in comparing.
And you don't get rings for scoring goals.
44. Denis Potvin
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Denis Potvin was drafted first-overall in the 1973 Typhoon past the New York Islanders and brought with him a advised, arrogant, tough-nosed attitude on and off the water ice that made him one of the nigh entertaining defenders we've always seen in the NHL. It also made him one of the best, every bit he finished his career with 310 goals and 1,052 points, in ane,060 games.
In 1979 he became the Captain of the Islanders, and that season he lead them to the get-go of four consecutive Stanley Cups-cementing them as i of the peachy dynasties in NHL history.
He lead like few men earlier him always had, and with the mental attitude and airs shown in his early on seasons, came a ridiculous slap shot known league-wide as ane to watch out for.
Denis Potvin. Men similar him only come around so often.
43. Dave Manson
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Dave Manson played for just about everybody in his 16-twelvemonth career, switching teams nine times but enjoying his longest sting with the Chicago Blackhawks from 1986-1991.
He may have been everybody'south favourite trade bait, but Manson knew his part no matter where he was playing, as i of the best tough guys fans ever had the privilege of watching. He amassed two,792 PIMs and made sure opponents knew he was there every time he stepped human foot on the water ice.
He also made a point of launching the occasional rocket from his stick, proving he could do more than just throw punches.
But don't get me wrong, he was a better tough guy than he was anything else. Just so we're clear.
42. Gordie Howe
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They didn't phone call him Mr. Hockey for nothing. Gordie Howe quite merely was everything a hockey player is supposed to be. He loved the game more anyone. He played harder than anyone. And in many people'due south opinion, he was the greatest histrion to always play the game.
He scored 801 goals and 1,850 career points, but his incredible scoring power may non be what he's most known for. The fact that he played in five different decades might exist.
He played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, from 1946-1971 before leaving for the WHA. He later returned to the NHL in 1979-lxxx to play one more yr with the Hartford Whalers. He was 51 years old. The fact that he was able to play at a high level for and then long is what is almost impressive nigh Howe. He but never gave up.
He holds the NHL tape (amidst many) for the about career games played (1,767), plus 157 more in the playoffs.
Beyond simply his talent and longevity, Howe was one of the toughest men ever to play confronting. He was known as 'Mr. Elbows' for, well, his toughness and likelihood of "giving y'all the business organization" when he deemed it necessary.
When legends of the game is the topic of discussion, Howe is e'er in the conversation, and the fact that he had ane bomb of a slapshot to go forth with every other skill, makes him a worthy member of this list.
41. Larry Robinson
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He was a stone for the Montreal Canadiens for 17 impressive seasons, and his name hangs among the legends in the Bong Heart because of it. Larry Robinson was one of the well-nigh solid defensemen to ever play the game,
'Large Bird', equally they called him for his 6'4" foot, 225 pound frame and blond hair, was incredibly strong and one of the most feared defenders through the 70's and 80'southward, finishing his twenty-year career with 208 goals and 958 points.
But maybe the well-nigh listen-boggling achievement in Robinson's career is the out-of-this-world plus/minus rating of plus 730. Yep, you lot read correctly, plus 730, which is nevertheless the NHL record for a player's career.
His forcefulness and size allowed him to be a powerhouse on the blueish line, and too unleash equally powerful shots at will.
40. Daniel Alfredsson
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The Ottawa Senators named him captain in 1999, and since that fourth dimension Daniel Alfredsson has been the face up of the franchise. He's inbound the 15th season of his career, and has played all of them with the social club. He's the franchise leader in almost every offensive statistical category.
Quite frankly, the Senators would not exist what they are today without Alfredsson.
His leadership is what he'southward most respected for, leading his team to the playoffs 12 of the xiv seasons, and has proven to an offensive weapon as a two-fourth dimension 40 goal scorer.
He often plays the betoken on ability plays because of his powerful shot, but has as well made a career of hovering around the top of the circle and lulling the opponents to sleep before getting open and launching a shot towards twine.
The 37-yr-quondam is in the twilight of his career, just is nevertheless dangerous with the puck on his stick. Or in this instance, when the puck is leaving his stick.
39. Geoff Sanderson
He may not be the most memorable player who's always played the game, as he bounced effectually the NHL equally a member of 8 different teams during his time in the league, but Geoff Sanderson sure knew how to fire the puck.
He played the first eight seasons with the Hartford Whalers, the last of which being the yr they moved to Carolina, and appeared in two All Star games during that time.
The six-time 30 goal scorer, and two-time 40 goal man knew how to score, and did it from 1991-2008 where he finished his career with the Edmonton Oilers.
The closest he e'er got to a Stanley Cup was in the 1999 Finals as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, where Brett Hull scored the infamous "human foot in the crease" goal to win the Loving cup for the Dallas Stars.
You may not remember much nearly him from his playing days, simply during his time he could fire the puck as expert as anyone.
38. Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito was an absolute scoring machine in from the day he entered the NHL in 1963 to the 24-hour interval he retired in 1981. From 1967-1974 his goal totals were as follows: 35, 49, 43, 76, 66, 55, 68 and 61. He also scored over 30 goals in four of his final 5 seasons in the NHL.
Now that'south being effective right to the finish.
When he retired he was 2nd in goals and points in NHL history, and left the game known as i of the most feared shooters at that place ever was.
He was what players strive to exist today; talented and consistent. It's ane matter to score 50 goals once in your career, just when y'all can do it for five-straight seasons, that's when you're considered as one of the all-fourth dimension greats.
For almost his unabridged career he was unstoppable when he had the puck on his stick, and with his rare talent came a knack for blasting pucks past goaltenders with relative ease.
He only won i Stanley Cup during his career (1970 with the Boston Bruins) but will forever bask in the legacy as the almost feared scorer of his time.
37. Maurice 'Rocket' Richard
If his nickname didn't give it abroad, Maurice 'Rocket' Richard had one seriously unsafe slap shot. Or should I say, rocket shot.
Though he played just 978 career games, all with the Montreal Canadiens, he is still recognized as the best thespian that city has ever seen. He oozed greatness, and his most impressive offensive season may accept been the 1944-45 campaign when he appeared in fifty games, and scored l goals.
It'southward no cloak-and-dagger to anyone that his shot was one of the hardest, but where he stands in a higher place the rest is the accuracy he was able to shoot with. The puck just went exactly where he wanted information technology to go, no affair the blazon of shot he was using.
His famous rivalry with Gordie Howe (mentioned earlier) is i of the most fierce in history as the Canadiens and Red Wings met in the Stanley Cup Finals four times during their playing time. Just the two had the utmost respect for each other when they left the game.
The Rocket went on to win eight Cups during his 18-year career, including five-straight from 1956-sixty.
36. Wayne Gretzky
Looking back on the career of 'The Peachy 1', Wayne Gretzky and the numbers he was able to put upward is about unbelievable. If you had never heard of him and simply looked at his career stats, you'd probably think someone made some major typos.
Did he really score 894 goals in his career, including a 92-goal season in 1981-82? Did he really score over 120 points in 14 of his first xv NHL seasons, including three 200+ point campaigns?
Yes and yes, and if those numbers don't impress you enough, consider that he has 970 more points than the second highest scorer in history, Mark Messier. That's not just playing with keen players during your career. That's being the best player there ever was, or ever will exist.
Gretzky was more than than just a pure scorer though, he saw the game like no 1 else. That allowed him to exist so far ahead of everyone else around him on the water ice. It also allowed him to position himself perfectly to unload the bullet of a shot he had.
No 1 will always forget the playoff game on April 21, 1988 against the Calgary Flames when in overtime, Gretzky came in over the line and launched the perfect slap shot over the right shoulder of Mike Vernon. It will forever be known every bit one of the greatest shots ever taken.
By the greatest player to ever play.
35. Andy Bathgate
He was a beast for the New York Rangers through the 50's and threescore's, and though the squad was never one of the best during that time, and Bathgate frequently dealt with knee injuries, he was however recognized as one of the greats of his 24-hour interval. He often battled Bobby Hull for the league scoring title.
Bathgate was known for his slap shot, and the force he was able to put behind it. He's famously known for his office in creating history that remains to this twenty-four hour period equally a major office of the game. On Nov. one, 1959, Bathgate launched a shot at Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaques Plante, who at that time did not wearable a face mask, and shattered Plante'southward nose.
Plante returned to the ice later in the game after getting repairs done, but now donned a face mask. He became the showtime goalie in the NHL to e'er clothing a full-fourth dimension mask.
Since and then, the goalie mask has go quite the expression for net minders today, as well a huge safe feature in the game. Because of the condom and security information technology gives goaltenders, the masked men of today can give thanks Btahgate for having a big part in the helmet being implemented into the NHL.
Well, every goaltender except Plante, of grade, who probably could have washed without the frozen condom to the nose.
34. Joe Sakic
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I of the most swish players to always play in the NHL, Joe Sakic knew what it was to be a leader. And he knew what information technology was to be a champion.
'Super Joe' was a two-time Stanley Loving cup Champion as member, and captain of the Colorado Avalanche, as well as playing the offset 7 years of his career on the Quebec Nordiques before the franchise relocated.
By now, yous're probably questioning why Sakic is on the listing of greatest slap shots, as he was known for having one of the all-time wrist shots of all time, but a bottom known fact is how good he was at ane-timing the puck.
He might have had the nearly effective one-time shot in history, having the ability to launch the perfect shot at an incredible rate of speed right off a pass. Whether he was moving or standing still, if a laissez passer came towards him and the shot was there, he would load up and then unload a rocket at an unsuspecting net minder.
He used both skills to score 625 goals during his career, walking away as 1 of the best pure scorers to always pace on the ice.
33. Paul Coffey
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Can you imagine a defensemen in today's NHL scoring 48 goals and 138 points in a flavor, like Paul Coffey did in 1985-86 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers? Probably not, and it's certainly true that the Oilers would not take been anywhere close to the squad they were if not for Coffey and his revolutionary mode of play on defense.
That record of 48 goals by a defender still stands today, as does the legacy of Coffey and all that he did during his days in the NHL from 1980-2000. He scored 396 goals and had a mind-extraordinary 1,531 points. He was but the second defenseman in history to reach 1000 points.
He was an integral part of the three Stanley Cups the Oilers won while he was there, as well as his fourth Loving cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He also had a cannon from the point, or where ever he chose to shoot from with his roaming style of play. He often used it to both create scoring chances, and scare the life out of opposing internet minders.
32. Peter Bondra
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With his left handed shot, his incredible speed, and a quick slap shot that put nigh goalies into a state of shock, Peter Bondra certainly left his mark on the NHL.
He scored 503 goals in 1,081 career games, scoring 52 goals twice as a member of the Washington Capitals. He played in Washington for 14 years, becoming a legend with the fans and a become-to guy when they were in need of a big goal.
He finished off his concluding three seasons with the Senators, Thrashers, and Blackhawks before retiring in 2007 with 892 career points.
The Ukraine native was feared past goalies for the force he could put behind his shot, and for the ability to zip it by their ears as he bulged the twine.
31. Adrian Aucoin
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Currently a member of the Phoenix Coyotes, the 37-year-old Adrian Aucoin has had a major-league slap shot since he entered the NHL 1995 with the Vancouver Canucks.
Before inbound this flavour he amassed 116 goals and 364 points through 933 games. His best season was 2003-04 when he scored xiii goals and 44 points as a member of the New York Islanders.
After struggling with injuries through the early 2000's, he'southward remained relatively good for you over the past three seasons, merely missing five games over that time.
He's getting upwards there in age, but Aucoin still has plenty of boot left in that shot of his. Enough to continue everyone aware whenever the wily veteran steps on the ice.
30. Ray Bourque
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In 21 seasons as the centre and soul of the Boston Bruins he never was able to win a Cup, but in just over a year as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, Ray Bourque finally got to elevator the sacred trophy above his head in 2001 before walking away from the game on top.
Though he finished his career while skating around the ice in Colorado with the Stanley Cup, it was all he did earlier that, as a member of the Bruins, that made Bourque the player he was and the legend he volition be known as forever.
He scored 410 goals and 1,579 points in his incredible career. He won 5 Norris Trophies and was always regarded as i of the all-time defensemen in the league until the day he retired.
He not only had a mammoth slap shot from the betoken, but as well seemed to master the ability to shoot on the motion, every bit he tip-toed along the bluish line backwards before unloading a shot towards the net.
He leaves the games as one of the best defenders to ever play, along with having i of the hardest shots.
He is also one of the few who won the Stanley Cup in the concluding game of his career. And that'southward only evidently cool.
29. Eric Lindros
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He was a beast, at that place is no other manner to put it. Eric Lindros was a massive man beingness, and the slap shot he carried with him was exactly that as well. Massive.
He was drafted commencement overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991, only never played for the guild every bit he was moved to the Philadelphia Flyers and began his career the next season. In his first year he scored 41 goals and 75 points in merely 61 games, and went on to play viii years with the team.
But a lot of Lindros' career has to be thought of as 'what if' because of his constant injury problems. He actually never played a full 82 games season in his career (1992-2007) before he was forced to retire due to concussion problems, among others.
He still finished his career with 372 goals and 865 points in 760 games, which is incredibly impressive, but no 1 will ever think of Lindros without thinking of what could accept been had he not had such bad luck with injuries.
While he played though, there was no dubiousness that Lindros had one of the most powerful shots in the league to date. That 6'4", 240 pound frame did more simply help crush people upward.
28. Joe Thornton
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Joe Thornton played seven seasons with the Boston Bruins earlier being trading in the middle of his eighth flavour (2005-06) with the social club to the San Jose Sharks, in what was somewhat of a shocking trade for more than a few people.
He scored 29 goals and 125 points that season he was traded, and then 22 goals and 114 points in his first full flavour with the Sharks, and even though he hasn't gotten more than 96 points in a year since, he is even so revered as one of the all-time players in the NHL today.
Though it'south his passing power that he's most famous for, he also has a monster slap shot which is aided by his vi'4", 230 pound body lumbering down the ice.
He's been criticized in the by for not shooting plenty, fifty-fifty though he's one of the highest point-producing players of the 2000'due south, but he certainly doesn't use his lethal shot as much as he could.
Thornton is still serpent-bitten equally far as Stanley Cup glory goes, and is known for struggling under the pressure of the playoffs, just at simply 31-years-onetime with a fresh new contract under his belt, in that location'south plenty left in the tank for Thornton.
27. Nicklas Lidstrom
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If ever there was a futurity first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, Nicklas Lidstrom fits the description perfectly.
He'due south won 4 Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008), six Norris Trophies, named an All Star 11 times, and volition go out the NHL as i of the all-time defensemen to ever play the game.
He's been a warrior since he came into the league in 1991, barely missing a game in his 18-year career (all with Detroit), and entering what many feel is the concluding season of his career. The 40-year-old took over the captaincy in one case Steve Yzerman retired, and has been a fantastic leader.
He came into this season with 1,046 points in 1,413 games, and though he hasn't got much time left in his illustrious career, he sure hasn't lost a stride.
The Swedish defenseman equally e'er had an extremely hard, low shot that'southward come in handy in more than a few playoff games over the years.
His calmness and confidence on the water ice is palpable for the usually-veteran Red Wing squad, who have always been a team that looked to their leader to set the tone.
Having accomplished everything a blue-liner can accomplish in the NHL, Lidstrom is simply playing for the love of the game at this bespeak, trying to get his easily on one more than Loving cup earlier he calls information technology a career.
And there volition exist more than than but Cerise Wings fans who'll miss old number five in red and white.
26. Mike Green
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He's flashy, he's aggressive, and when he's on his game, he'southward the most exciting defenseman in the NHL. Mike Green is an incredibly talented offensively minded defender, who not but can put upwardly big time numbers, just also tin throw his weight around.
He'south scored 68 goals in his last three seasons, including 31 goals in just 68 games in 2008-09. When kids abound upwardly wanting to be offensive-defensemen these days, they want to be like him. It's skilful to exist Greenish.
He's made a habit of not only launching shots from the point, only coming downward on the fly at full speed and ripping a shot over the shoulder of the goalie. He'due south got a rocket, and uses it as much as possible (recording over 200 shots in the by three seasons), giving the Washington Capitals a dangerous assault from more than than just upwards front.
He'due south meet injury issues in the past ii years, simply at that place is no incertitude that when he's good for you, Green can be the about dangerous actor on the ice.
25. Steve Thomas
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They called him 'Stumpy' and though it's not the well-nigh flattering nickname ever given, Steve Thomas wore it well for his 20-twelvemonth career. Best known for his days as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, and Toronto Maple Leafs, Thomas scored 421 goals before retiring in 2004.
He wasn't a big player by any stretch of the imagination, standing just five'11" and weighing a pedestrian 185 pounds, simply he used what he had and his low center of gravity propelled the puck to scream off his stick.
He scored twoscore goals twice in his career just never won a Stanley Cup. He was ever a fan-favourite no matter where he played, and loved to flaunt his skills of shooting the puck.
24. Sergei Fedorov
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He was the wingman of Steve Yzerman for 13 seasons in Detroit, and during that time in that location were few in the NHL who had the skill that Sergei Fedorov had. He always seemed to be open up, and when the puck was on his stick, he would nearly assuredly break away from the pack and find some scoring space.
He was a care for to watch and though he scored 31 goals with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2003-04, he was never the aforementioned after leaving the Reddish Wings. He scored over 30 goals 9 of the 13 years he was there, including a 56 goal campaign in 1993-94.
He made a career of hovering effectually the cyberspace or setting up camp beside information technology, waiting for a laissez passer that he could quickly pound into the net.
He only lived to score and his truthful-to-class European flare fabricated him all the more popular in Hockeytown, making the tube-lid popular in the 90'southward. Okay, maybe not.
Just tube-detest or non, Fedorov could unleash a bomb of a shot, who knows what would accept happened had he stayed in Detroit for longer.
23.Mike Bossy
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His career was brusque due to dorsum injury forcing him to retire when he was but xxx-years-old, but Mike Bossy sure fabricated the nearly of his fourth dimension in the NHL. In just 10 seasons (752 games) Bossy scored a ridiculous 573 goals and 1,126 points.
His ability to score was out of this world, as he surpassed the 50 goal marker in his commencement nine seasons (lx+ in five of those), reaching his highest full (69) in but his second flavor in the league.
Had he stayed good for you, he would probably be the second-highest scorer in NHL history below Wayne Gretzky.
He also was apart of the four-straight Cups the Islanders won in the 80'southward, meaning he won a Championship in xl per centum of the seasons he played. That's just crazy talk.
The sheer strength and power he was able to put into his slap shot may have been a reason for his dorsum issues that forced his early retirement, but while he was good for you enough, he did some serious damage with that stick of his.
22. Bryan McCabe
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Hold your boos, Leaf fans, because Brian McCabe has one of the hardest shots that this league has e'er seen, no affair what you call back about him.
During his vii seasons in Toronto he was known for two things; one, introducing the 'tin can opener' to the NHL before it was outlawed, and two, his absolute bomb of a slap shot. Okay, the third thing may have been scoring on his own net, just we need not discuss that whatsoever further at this time.
Though he's never had a 20-goal season in the NHL, he'south e'er been known as an offensive-defenseman and extremely effective as a shooter on the ability play. His highest goal output was in 2005-06 when he got 19 with the Leafs.
He'due south currently wearing the 'C' for the Florida Panthers, and though he's now 35, he's however got the shot that fabricated him famous in his younger days.
21. Sami Salo
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In 2007 Sports Illustrated surveyed NHL players and asked them who had the hardest shot in the league, and ranked 3rd on that list was Sami Salo. And if the players who have to stand in front of your shot say it's hard, you know they're telling the truth.
Sami Salo has won almost every hardest shot competition he's been in as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, repeatedly shooting over 100 MPH. He's also a cornerstone on their power play with the ability to unleash a wicked shot through traffic on the cyberspace.
Though he'southward been dealing with some injuries lately (and ugly ones at that) he is still an important member of the Canucks blue line, and when healthy, can be relied on to serve up some heat from the point.
20. Brian Rolston
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He'due south known for his dandy two-mode play, but if there'south one area of his game that his opponents fear the most, information technology's his booming shot. He's made more than a few goalies duck for embrace in his days as one of the league's hardest shooters, including Roberto Luongo who received a Rolston shot to the mask in 2007 and was left dazed and confused on the water ice.
He'south also been known to use the shot in the shootout, simply skating in over the blue line and ripping a shot as hard as he mayhap can. Sounds risky, just it's worked for the powerful veteran more than than in one case in the final couple years.
A Stanley Cup winner in 1995 as a fellow member of the New Jersey Devils, Rolston has 321 goals coming into this season. The 37-twelvemonth-old may accept his all-time years behind him, but he can yet release a rocket with the best of them in the NHL, and looks to show information technology whenever he has the opportunity.
19. Jarome Iginla
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Another guy who'south best known for the torque of his wrist shot, Jerome Iginla tin can likewise blast a slap shot with the all-time of them. 1 of the most prolific scorers in the game today, Iginla has never been afraid to mix it up on the water ice physically, and always seems to exist in the correct spot when the Calgary Flames are in demand of a goal.
The ii-time 50 goal scorer, and 1 of the best power forwards in the NHL is never far from the score sheet, and every bit the captain of the Flames has been a solid leader since 2003 when he was given those responsibilities.
He's known as 1 of the almost friendly, generous people when he'south off the water ice, merely get him in a bad mood during a game or put the puck on his stick in front of the net, and you'll quickly observe out that in that location'south more than one side to Iginla.
18. Jeremy Roenick
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There will never be another player in the NHL like Jeremy Roenick. That, my friends, I can guarantee y'all. The fiery, exuberant, larger-than-life personality was 1 of the nearly loved and hated players where ever he played, and was never far from the cameras.
Simply he wasn't only a big rima oris, Roenick was a legitimate goal scorer, and had a thunderous slap shot that did a lot more talking than he always could, if you can believe that.
He scored 513 goals in his career and 1,216 points in what was ane of the most entertaining careers we've ever had the joy of post-obit.
He was a game-changer, and thank you to that powerful slap shot, was ane of the near dangerous players on the water ice in his prime (twice scoring 50 goals). Though he never won a Stanley Cup, he volition always be known as i of the most talked about players in the game.
And ane who did the most talking, both with his oral fissure and his stick.
17. Wendel Clark
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He started his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1985, and finished his career with those same Leafs in 1999 while jumping around from team to squad in between. He will get down as one of the most beloved players in Toronto because of his toughness, grittiness, and never-say-die attitude. Information technology was things like that, which made him a hero in the metropolis.
His moustache, mullet, and country boy swagger didn't hurt either.
He was never known equally a lethal sniper, though he did score 46 goals in 1993-94 season with the Leafs, but he did manage to score 330 goals during his career.
2 more aspects of his game made him so popular with fans; his thunderous body checks and his thunderous slap shots. He was one of the best at doing both.
He was never the fastest, nor the strongest, nor the greatest player on whatever team, but when it came to heart and passion, he was at the front of the line.
And all that accumulates into your number hanging in the rafters at the Air Canada Heart, and a standing ovation erupting every time your proper name is mentioned at a Leaf game.
16. Ilya Kovalchuk
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Pure sniper. Two words could non draw Ilya Kovalchuk any ameliorate.
In just eight seasons he had 338 goals coming into the 2010-eleven season, spending the first seven as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, before being traded to the New Jersey Devils final yr. He'southward scored 40 goals or more in each of the past six seasons and along with Alex Ovechkin, is the league's nigh dangerous player.
He is some other forward who spends plenty of fourth dimension on the point on the power play, giving him ample time and space to release that flop that defenses spend hours practicing how to defend.
There is a popular saying that if a goalie can see information technology, he can cease it. But when it comes to shots from Kovalchuk, it doesn't matter how adept the eyesight is, no goalie is stopping information technology.
15. Dany Heatley
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Players who get caught in front of the cyberspace when Dany Heatley is loading up a slap shot from betwixt the hash marks, often suffer from panic, disorientation, and their life flashing before their eyes. Simply imagine how the goalies experience.
Heatley, according to this guy's opinion, has the quaternary-hardest slap shot among frontwards in the NHL today. He'south a back-to-dorsum l goal scorer and scored 40 or more four times.
Coming into his 2d flavor with San Jose, Heatley makes upward what be the most mortiferous trio of players in the league with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, and is looking to become back to his fifty-goal form from his days with the Ottawa Senators.
He may not be the most pop human being in Ottawa these days, but if slap shots were a popularity competition, he'd exist in the running for prom male monarch.
14. Mike Modano
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Mike Modano is known for more than merely that jersey flapping behind him every bit he gracefully floats downwards the ice at full speed, because he's also the possessor of a mighty slap shot that'due south ended up backside the odd net minder throughout his career.
It's not just that he can shoot it so hard, it's that Modano has one of the quickest releases we've always seen. He can have a full wind up and boom the puck off his stick faster than anyone, and it's acquired more than a few issues for goalies in his successful, but not-done-just-yet career.
He's the greatest player to ever wearable a Minnesota N Stars/Dallas Stars bailiwick of jersey, and his 557 goals and 1,360 points before coming into this season means he's already got a spot booked in the Hall of Fame when he's called information technology a career.
Thankfully he decided to stick around one more year in Detroit, so we can lookout that graceful stride down the water ice, and that punishing shot we all know and love.
Unless it's coming at your head.
13. Alex Kovalev
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Oft criticized for his lack of endeavour and taking shifts (or nights) off, there'southward always been 1 thing about Alex Kovalev you simply can't say anything bad about; his shot.
With 20 seasons under his belt already, the Russian sniper's best days are behind him, but he can nonetheless unload 1 of those patented slap shots from the slot and send the oversupply into an instant frenzy.
His all-time flavor was in 2000-01 every bit a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins when he scored 44 goals, and won the Stanley Cup while on the New York Rangers in just his sophomore entrada.
No matter what has been said most the frequently-times sluggish Kovalev, when he's positioned off to the side of the cyberspace, cocked and ready to fire, his shot is withal virtually unstoppable for opposing goalies to deal with.
12. Rob Blake
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Rob Blake was a rock on defence force for the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks throughout his 20-year career. And when it came to his shot, it was an absolute rocket.
Blake finished his career with 240 goals and 777 points, retiring after the 2009-10 season equally 1 of the virtually trusted and undecayed defenders in the NHL. He lead by example, especially during the 2001 Stanley Cup run with the Colorado Avalanche, where he had 19 points in 23 playoff games as they went on to win the Cup.
His shot was nil less than a monstrosity to deal with for goalies and defensemen, and when he pumped a shot at the net, you could hear it for miles.
Correct upwards until the end of his career last flavor, Blake even so served upward huge blasts from the bespeak that had goalies shrugging their shoulders.
xi. Dion Phaneuf
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As the newly named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dion Phaneuf now has the biggest stage in the NHL on which to show off his ferocious slap shot.
It'southward non only his glare that can send shivers down the spine of an opponent, but when he comes barreling down the wing, or loads up from the point, you almost recall goalies simply hold their breath, shut their optics, and get every bit large as possible in hopes that information technology doesn't whiz by them into the net.
Since he came into the league in 2005, Phaneuf is the highest scoring defenseman in the NHL, and is looking to go back on track in his first season with the Leafs later on being traded from the Calgary Flames last January.
Few people on earth are every bit intimidating as Phaneuf when on the ice, merely he's undoubtedly glad that his girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert, isn't the real daughter of TV graphic symbol Keifer Sutherland, star of the former prove 24.
Something tells me that Jack Bauer has the upper hand in that category.
10. Stephane Richer
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Stephane Richer played in the NHL from 1984-2002, most notably with the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.
He was known league-wide for having i of the hardest shots of his time, oftentimes being yelled at for shooting the puck also hard in practice or warm up. Once, while warming up before a game as a member of the Devils, Richer wound up and fired a rocket at goalie Martin Brodeur.
The shot his Brodeur in the jock and croaky it in one-half, causing some serious bruising and the delivery of a new jock. It's stories like that, that can brand you lot a legend once your career is over, but when you injure ane of the greatest goalies of all fourth dimension during warm-upwards, information technology'south probably non that funny at the fourth dimension.
What might take been well-nigh impressive near Richer'south shooting ability, was that he only had to wind up to near his waist before letting off an extremely hard shot. A shot that most players would have to put everything they had into, he could simply put half-effort into, and get a harder shot.
Some guys are just born with information technology.
Richer had 421 career goals, and you tin can bet on every unmarried one of them, the goalie was left shaking their caput in disbelief.
9. Shea Weber
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Shea Weber fabricated his announcement to the NHL that he had a big fourth dimension slap shot at the 2009 Skills Contest during All Star weekend in Montreal. In the hardest shot contest he wound up and unloaded a 103.4 MPH screamer and sent the oversupply into a buzz. Though it wasn't even the hardest shot in the contest (we'll get to that later) it was a message to everyone that he had a harder shot that some had given him credit for.
From so on, and e'er before then, Weber has been arguably the hardest shooter in the NHL, and when the world was watching at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he made certain he put his skills on display once again.
In an early on round robin game against Germany, Weber scored a goal on a bomb from the point that had the crowd's jaws dropping. Information technology wasn't just that the shot was difficult, but that the puck had gone right through the meshing of the net.
He didn't stop there though, as in the blowout 7-2 victory against Russia, Weber came in from the betoken and received the perfect pass from Jonathan Teows before unloading what might be the hardest shot ever taken in a game. There wasn't a goalie, or brick wall, on this planet that would accept stopped that shot, and because of that, no one volition ever question the shooting talent of Weber.
Playing in Nashville ways he doesn't become the attention that he would in a larger hockey market, merely the BC native continually impresses and is already known as one of the best defenders in the NHL at but 25-years-former.
eight. Sheldon Souray
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Though he'south currently riding the jitney down in the minors due to his big contract subsequently demanding a trade from the Edmonton Oilers, Sheldon Souray still has a slap shot that few yet in the league can even come up close to.
He made a splash in the NHL in his last season with the Montreal Canadiens in 2006-07 when he scored 26 goals, nineteen of them on the power play. In that one season he went from every day defenseman to an offensive weapon from the indicate.
His shot was borderline unstoppable that year, and though his next season was a bust due to injury, he went right dorsum to his scoring ways with Edmonton in 2008-09 when he potted 23 goals. 12 of them on the PP.
Needless to say, the move to the Oilers has non been the best for his career, but Souray will work his way dorsum to the NHL, where fans will once again go to see him load up from the betoken and ship a rocket towards the net.
And of course, nosotros can't forget his perfectly kept facial hair also.
7. Alex Ovechkin
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You know him equally 'The Bully Eight', but since 2005 goalies across the league have known him as "oh no, not once again". Alex Ovechkin has an absolute cannon of a shot, and past far is the owner of the hardest shot among forwards in the NHL correct now.
He tin shoot coming in off the wing, from the point on the ability play, standing along the boards, or roaring in full speed on an unfortunate goaltender. It just doesn't matter, you lot simply can't stop the guy. And his 269 goals in 397 career games coming into this season is proof of that.
He has won every individual accolade you could possibly want as a forward in the NHL, and though a Stanley Cup ring still eludes him to this point, he's on pace to go on of the greatest to ever play the game.
Quite only, the Washington Capitals would not exist where they are today with Ovechkin. He took that franchise from a league afterthought to the near exciting team to watch in the NHL. They were the highest scoring team from last season, thanks to 'Ovie' and that shot of his specially.
Though many of the best shooters of all time have retired, we can exist thankful that Ovechkin has barely fifty-fifty begun what looks to be an incredible career ahead of him.
half dozen. Chris Pronger
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Chris Pronger. One of the about feared players in the NHL at the moment, for a diverseness of reasons stemming from his likelihood to elbow yous in the chin, correct down to the fact that he'southward had one of the hardest shots in the history of the game since he walked into the league.
It's non then much that he puts upwards large numbers every year, as his highest goal full was in 1999-2000 and 2003-04 when he scored 14 goals, but the fact that his shot is then difficult that no matter where the puck ends up, a scoring chance normally takes place.
Intimidation in the NHL is not about what yous're doing at the moment in whatever given game, it's what you've done in the past and what you're known for equally a histrion. When information technology comes to Pronger, he needs no introduction and is considered one of the dirtiest players league-wide.
He won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and his 15 points in those 19 playoff games were a large reason they were and then successful.
No thing how his career ends up, and how many more suspensions he'southward given, Pronger's career will always be admired by his young man players, and he'll always be known every bit i of the most feared defenders in NHL history.
5. Al Iafrate
He might be nigh famous for his participation in the Skills Competitions over the years equally a hardest shooter competitor, as Al Iafrate rarely disappointed the fans who came to see big time ability. In the kickoff ever hardest shot competition in 1990, Iafrate won with a 96.0 MPH shot, a huge number in those days with only wooden sticks being used.
Then in 1993 at the Montreal Forum, Iafrate gear up the record for the hardest shot that would correspond sixteen years. He ripped a shot into the open muzzle at an amazing 105.2 MPH, the hardest shot ever recorded in NHL history.
He went on to win the competition i more than time the next season equally well.
Iafrate had both incredible talent and toughness, and used both to his advantage during his playing days. He scored just 152 goals in his 12-yr career, only also piled upwardly 1,301 PIM just for good measure.
Few always stood up to him on the ice, every bit his classic mullet-style hair flowed behind him, but when it was all said and done, he'll always be known for the mean solar day he shocked the NHL with a single shot.
A shot heard round the league, if y'all volition.
4. Brett Hull
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Similar begetter, like son. Brett Hull made a career out of unloading wicked shots past helpless goalies, scoring 741 goals in his brilliant career. His most impressive flavor was in 1990-91, when he scored a mind-numbing 86 goals and 131 points in simply 78 games every bit a member of the St. Louis Blues.
Along with his partner in crime with the Blues, Adam Oates, Hull fabricated life terrible for opposing goalies as he would consistently fly in over the line, air current up, and effortlessly let a rocket rip past the goalie.
His trademark was the i-timer from beside the net, down on ane knee, with the goalie desperately trying to slide across the crease in time. It was the mode he scored many of his early on goals, and most memorably, the way he scored his 700th.
Brett Hull, truly one of the greatest players to ever play the game, ane of the best natural scorers in NHL history, and the owner of one of the hardest slap shots in that location will e'er be.
A classic.
3. Zdeno Chara
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They call him 'The Large Z' for a reason, as Zdeno Chara is the biggest player to always play in the NHL. His whopping 6'9", 255 pound frame stands caput and shoulders above most of his teammates and opponents, and it likewise allows him to have the strength that others just dream they could have.
At the 2009 All Star game festivities, during the skills contest, Chara bankrupt Al Iafrate's xvi-year record of a 105.2 MPH slap shot past firing his own shot 105.four MPH, a record that still stands today.
The NHL had to make an exception for Chara, who is forced to use a stick length longer than immune by league rules, which gives him a slight reward over others with shorter sticks, but yous can't teach size, and Chara was born with a God-given talent to shoot the puck hard.
And shoot it hard he does.
When people talk well-nigh an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, they never realized both could be combined into 1 human. Chara is a beast on the ice, both physically and offensively, and is largely known as the toughest player to play against in today's NHL.
When he lets his shot go from the point, anybody in the building is belongings their jiff. He's just that good. He's just that big.
He's just Zdeno Chara.
two. Bobby Hull
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Like son, similar father. The father in the most successful father-son duo in NHL history, Bobby Hull made the slap shot into what it is today in the NHL.
Though no one has always been able to ostend the story, Hull obviously shot a puck 118 MPH during a do at which they were recording shot speeds. If the tale is true, and Hull was able to put that much torque and power into his shot with a wooden stick, and so he might just be the nearly dangerous human alive with a hockey stick in his hands.
They chosen him the 'Gilded Jet' for both his blond hair and his skating style, as he was one of the best skaters of his era.
He was once recorded saying that he would try and keep goalies thinking when he played against them, kickoff coming in on them and ripping a shot loftier, right past their ears. Then, the side by side time he came in on the cyberspace, the goalie would call back he was shooting loftier again and shift his weight upwardly, while Hull fired a shot along the ice and into the internet.
He didn't only take incredible forcefulness, merely the way he thought the game was like few earlier or later on him.
He scored 610 career goals, many of the slap shot diversity, every bit he blasted his way into NHL history as the 2nd most feared shooter to e'er have the puck on his stick.
1. Al MacInnis
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Was there actually ever whatsoever doubt who would sit at the top of this list? Al MacInnis is the undisputed champion of the slap shot as no 1 else was able to burn down the puck quite similar him.
He played 23 seasons in the NHL, scoring 340 goals and 1,274 points in 1,416 career games.
His shot was always impressive, but it hit legendary status on Jan. 17, 1984 in a game against the St. Louis Blues. MacInnis, then on the Calgary Flames, took a blistering slap shot on goaltender Mike Liut, who took the shot in the mask, splitting information technology open. To make matters worse, the puck rocketed off the broken helmet and into the net. One of the most impressive displays of power ever witnessed in a game.
On more than than one occasion during warm-ups before a game accidentally shot the puck through the end boards. The games would accept to be pushed back while the boards were repaired, and while the fans and opposition mentally prepared themselves for what they were about to see in the real game.
He was a 7 time winner of the hardest shot contest during All Star game festivities, and never in one case used annihilation other than a wooden stick to practice his damage.
MacInnis truly was the greatest shooter to ever play in the NHL, and it's unlikely anyone volition ever shoot the puck like he was able to do-especially with the lack of technology and equipment they had during his playing days.
Al MacInnis. There will never be another.
Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/490342-top-50-hardest-slap-shots-in-nhl-history
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