In today’s NHL, speed rules.
But, if a player has speed and size, they can kill.
According to Hockey-Graphs, the average NHLer stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 201 pounds (as of the 2014-15 season).
Compared to the average NHL player of the 1944-45 season – 5-foot-10, 174 pounds – it appears that NHL teams gave their players the Captain America Super-Soldier Serum.
Today, players like Zdeno Chara, Brent Burns and Evgeni Malkin are successful.
They are not great NHL players, however.
Let’s look at the seven greatest players in the NHL today based on body mass index (BMI), surprisingly it does not include Chara – the NHL’s tallest player – or Jamie Oleksiak, the NHL’s heaviest player.
The New York Islander captain made his presence known in front of the opposing teams net.
Opponents not only can’t move Lee, they can’t see the players around him.
Anders Lee, New York Islanders (Amy Irvin/The Hockey Writers)
While only 6-foot-2, Nick Ritchie checks in as the sixth largest NHLer based on BMI.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward certainly uses his size to his advantage, even if it comes at a price.
A former first round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Ritchie was recently signed by the Maple Leafs to add more body to their roster.
Only 24, the big hitter could stay on this list for years to come.
A true power forward, Alex Ovechkin has taken the NHL by storm since his debut as a 20-year-old in 2005.
Although he qualifies as “overweight” on the BMI scale, the Russian forward is among the best and biggest players in the NHL today.
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Known as “Big Rig” around the rink, Pat Maroon has long used his size to his advantage.
After winning the Stanley Cup with his hometown St. Louis Blues, Maroon signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning for another shot at the Cup. Under Jon Cooper’s watch, the forward has been a nuisance in front of the net, often using his large frame to outwit defenders and screen testers.
Make no mistake, Maroon is soft despite his size and has soft hands on the ice and around the spikeball net.
Thomas Greiss (29.79)
St. Louis Blue Thomas Greiss was a wonderful addition to this list.
The veteran netminder is a rarity in the net, despite having the third highest BMI in the NHL.
Thomas Greiss, St. Louis Blues (Amy Irvin/Hockey Writers)
Like Greiss, David Savard is a tall NHLer with a high BMI due to his above average weight and short stature.
The Montreal Canadien blueliner often boxes forward with his big frame and can be counted on in his own end.
Robin Lehner (30.43)
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
Weight: 250 pounds
The Vegas Golden Knights goalie is like the Michelin Man with his gear on.
Robin Lehner brings back memories of the old Amstel Light ad with the football player in a turban.
Robin Lehner, Vegas Golden Knights (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
In all fairness, Lehner isn’t a fatminder like a commercial netminder but he is the biggest in the NHL in terms of BMI.
However, Lehner is able to move around the crease quickly, which goes against the stereotype that “big scores can’t go.”