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Only about five percent of NHL players reach 1,000 games.
It’s a testament to consistency, durability and quality for any NHL player when they get to 1,000 games. To date, 394 skaters and four goaltenders have played at least 1,000 games in more than a century of NHL action.
This season, we should see the 400th skater in NHL history join the club – and then some.
The NHL shared a list of approaching milestones for the 2024-25 season. It listed 17 skaters within 82 games of hitting the 1,000-game milestone.
Of those two are currently free agents – left winger Matt Martin has a PTO with the New York Islanders, but defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk did not get a tryout. That leaves 15 players under contract on the list.
Edmonton Oilers right winger Evander Kane was also listed but won’t reach the milestone this season. He needs 70 games to get it, and he’s expected to be out of the Oilers’ lineup for a minimum of five to six months, according to the team. He underwent successful abdominal surgery on Sept. 20 in New York, and the club’s medical staff will supervise his rehabilitation in Edmonton.
Another player unlikely to reach the mark is Logan Couture. The San Jose Sharks captain only played six games last year and is dealing with a groin and hip issue. He’s been working on rehabbing his injuries, but it’s not expected he’ll be in the lineup by Nov. 7 and in every game afterward to reach 1,000.
And now, there are 13. Here are the remaining skaters who could achieve 1,000 career games this season. Stats are as of Oct. 14.
Luke Schenn, D, Nashville Predators, Needs two games: Since the NHL started tracking hits in 2005-06, Schenn has the most of any defenseman, with 3,364. The 34-year-old has played for eight teams in his career, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Lightning.
Tyler Myers, D, Vancouver Canucks, Needs three games: Myers, 34, has averaged 21:51 of ice time in his 16-season NHL career to date. The 2010 Calder Trophy winner has played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Canucks. He hasn’t scored seven goals in a season since 2018-19, but if he does this year, he’ll get his 100th career goal.
Mikael Backlund, C, Calgary Flames, Needs seven games: The Flames named Backlund captain a year ago on Sept. 27, 2023, after signing the 35-year-old to a two-year contract extension. The 2023 King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner has only ever played in the NHL for Calgary, recording his 200th career goal last season.
Erik Johnson, D, Philadelphia Flyers, Needs 11 games: Johnson, 36, played his first two seasons with the St. Louis Blues, which drafted him first overall in 2006. They traded him to the Avalanche in 2011 during his third season, and he played parts of 13 seasons for them afterward, winning the Stanley Cup with them in 2022. He’s since played for the Sabres and Flyers.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Toronto Maple Leafs, Needs 15 games: Ekman-Larsson joined the Maple Leafs in free agency after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in June. The 33-year-old captained the Arizona Coyotes for three seasons before being traded to the Canucks.
Related: Maple Leafs’ New Players Driving Force Behind Improved Penalty Kill And Defense
Cam Fowler, D, Anaheim Ducks, Needs 24 games: Where Fowler will play when he reaches his 1,000th game is up for debate, as he’s been a popular topic in trade speculation. That said, the 32-year-old has only played for the Ducks in the NHL, and he continues to be a top-pair defenseman. Fowler can also reach 100 career goals this season if he scores four more – he had five last season.
Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Two Potential Ducks Trade Candidates And Panthers’ Bennett
Trevor Lewis, C, Los Angeles Kings, Needs 23 games: Lewis won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, and he played parts of 12 seasons with them before playing on Canadian teams for three seasons. After one year with the Winnipeg Jets and two with the Calgary Flames, Lewis returned to the Kings in 2023-24. He’s also one goal away from 100 in his career after scoring on Oct. 14 against the Ottawa Senators.
Tyler Seguin, C, Dallas Stars, Needs 28 games: Seguin’s been with the Stars ever since they acquired him from the Boston Bruins in 2013. The 32-year-old notched 84 points in his first season with the team, followed by five 70-point campaigns. Seguin is nine points away from 800 in his career.
Dmitry Kulikov, D, Florida Panthers, Needs 48 games: Kulikov won the Stanley Cup with Florida in June, but he played his first seven NHL seasons with the Panthers as well. He then played with Buffalo, Winnipeg, New Jersey, Edmonton, Minnesota, Anaheim and Pittsburgh before returning to the Panthers.
Brayden Schenn, C, St. Louis Blues, Needs 57 games: Schenn earned the Blues’ captaincy ahead of last season, and he’s in his eighth season with the team. He previously spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and played his first nine NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, which drafted him fifth overall in 2009. He can also reach 400 assists, 200 power-play points and 2,000 shots this season.
Related: Blues Start Season Strongly And Show They Intend To Be A Playoff Team This Year
Jeff Petry, D, Detroit Red Wings, Needs 62 games: The 36-year-old Petry from Ann Arbor, Mich., joined the Red Wings in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins in August 2023. He had four 40-point seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, and he started his career with the Edmonton Oilers.
Ryan McDonagh, D, Tampa Bay Lightning, Needs 71 games: The Lightning traded with the Predators to reacquire McDonagh in May. He was part of the Lightning’s two Stanley Cup wins, and he was once the captain of the New York Rangers until they traded him and J.T. Miller to Tampa Bay in 2018. The 35-year-old played 74 games last season, so getting to his 1,000th game isn’t out of the question. McDonagh is also 11 points away from 400.
Craig Smith, RW, Chicago Blackhawks, Needs 71 games: Smith played in Chicago’s season opener, logging 12:13 of ice time, but he didn’t play in the following two games. He played his first nine NHL seasons with the Predators and has also played for the Bruins, Washington Capitals and Stars.
Which player are you most excited to see reach 1,000 games? Let us know by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum. And get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here.
