Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. This week's list focuses on the greatest Stanley Cup champions in the NHL era:

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1

Voter List

• James Bisson, National Sports Editor
• Josh Wegman, NHL News Editor
• Sean O'Leary, NHL News Editor
• Esten McLaren, NHL News Editor
• Lucas Casaletto, News Editor
• Michael Amato, Senior News Editor
• Craig Hagerman, NHL News Editor
• Lanny Foster, Senior Social Media Editor
• Arun Srinivasan, News Editor

20. 1955-56 Montreal Canadiens

The '55-'56 Canadiens were one of the most dominant teams in the NHL to that point, winning the regular season by a whopping 24 points over the second-place Red Wings. Montreal wasn't given a serious challenge in the playoffs, either, rolling past the New York Rangers in five games before dispatching Detroit by the same margin.

19. 1995-96 Colorado Avalanche

Hockey fans in Quebec City might still be brooding over this one. A year after the franchise relocated to Denver, the newly-named Avalanche took the NHL by storm, finishing atop the Pacific Division. A six-game triumph over the heavily-favored Red Wings in the Western Conference Final proved to be the real championship round, as the Avs swept Florida in a one-sided final.

18. 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings

How imposing were the '01-'02 Red Wings? They were the only team in the West to exceed 100 points, and that was despite going on an 0-5-2 run to end the regular season. Detroit survived a significant challenge from Colorado in a seven-game Western Conference Final, and was too much for the Carolina Hurricanes to handle in the Stanley Cup Final, prevailing in five games.

17. 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers

The 1974 Stanley Cup Final appeared preordained, at least going into the playoffs; the Flyers were the clear team to beat in their division, while the Bruins were equally dominant in theirs. The two teams bulldozed their way into an entertaining final, in which Bobby Clarke's six points and Bernie Parent's sensational goaltending led the Flyers to their first Cup win.

16. 1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers

A rejigging of divisions didn't do anything to quell the Flyers' dominance; they were the class of the Campbell Conference, outdistancing the competition by an absurd 25 points. Philadelphia needed seven games to eliminate the New York Islanders in the conference final, but had enough left to send Buffalo packing in six games and repeat as Stanley Cup champion.

15. 1938-39 Boston Bruins

This edition of the Bruins had plenty of star power, but none shone as brightly as netminder Frank Brimsek, who posted a 33-9-1 record with an incredible 1.56 goals-against average and 10 shutouts to pace the league's best goal-prevention unit. The Bruins outlasted the Rangers in seven games, then cruised past Toronto 4-1 to claim their second NHL championship.

14. 1940-41 Boston Bruins

Boston's second Cup title in three years looked eerily similar to the previous one. The Bruins relied on balanced scoring and an airtight defense to finish atop the regular-season table, then needed seven games to get past a pesky Toronto Maple Leafs team in the semifinals. But Boston found an extra gear in the final, sweeping the Red Wings while allowing just six goals.

13. 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks

With parity the norm these days, what the Blackhawks did during the lockout-shortened '12-'13 season is nothing short of astounding. Chicago earned points in 41 out of 48 games, topping the Western Conference scoring list while allowing the fewest goals. A seven-game win over Detroit in the second round was the Blackhawks' only stumble en route to their fifth title.

12. 1951-52 Detroit Red Wings

One quick look at their resume, and this team easily could have ranked within the top 10. Detroit finished 22 points clear of the runner-up Canadiens in the standings, easily pacing the league in goals for and fewest goals allowed. And if that weren't enough to cement its place among the all-time greats, the Wings swept both playoff series, outscoring Montreal and Toronto 24-4.

11. 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers

The 1985 Stanley Cup Final pitted two incredible performers against one another: On one side, a vaunted Oilers offense that produced more than 400 regular-season goals. On the other, Philadelphia netminder Pelle Lindbergh, who won the Vezina Trophy while leading the Flyers to the best record in hockey. In the end, Edmonton's firepower led to a five-game final rout.

10. 1978-79 Montreal Canadiens

The last of Montreal's four straight Stanley Cup titles in the late-1970s almost never happened. The Habs had another dominant regular season, but found themselves down 4-3 with 1:14 left in Game 7 of the conference final against Boston. Guy Lafleur tied the game, Yvon Lambert scored in OT and the Habs went on to make history with a five-game final win over the Rangers.

9. 1971-72 Boston Bruins

Of all the powerhouse Boston teams that steamrolled opponents in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this one was the most complete. Led by legends Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr, the Bruins recorded the second-most wins and points in franchise history. And unlike the previous season, when they lost in the first round, the B's rolled to a 12-3 playoff record en route to the Cup.

8. 1988-89 Calgary Flames

With The Great One bound for La-La Land, the rest of the NHL saw an opportunity - and it was the Oilers' provincial rival that took full advantage, putting together the best season in franchise history. Calgary won the Campbell Conference by 26 points, survived a seven-game first-round encounter with Vancouver, and downed Montreal in six games in the final.

7. 1972-73 Montreal Canadiens

A team with just 15 losses in 89 regular-season and playoff games ranked outside the top five? That just speaks to how dominant the Canadiens were in the 1970s (as you'll see below.) Boston's five-game loss to the Rangers in Round 1 made Montreal's path to the championship even easier - not that the Canadiens were challenged to begin with, going 12-5 in the postseason.

6. 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens

You might think, after destroying the rest of the NHL in back-to-back seasons, that the '77-'78 Canadiens would feel slightly less motivated to repeat the feat. Nope. Montreal followed a 60-win campaign with just one fewer victory, while posting the second-best goal differential of any Stanley Cup champion. We'll get to the No. 1 team in that regard in just a moment.

5. 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens

Before the Montreal dynasties of the late-1950s and late-1970s, there was the '43-'44 edition of the Canadiens, which makes a strong argument for being one of the most dominant of all-time. That +125 goal differential stood as the league record among Cup champions until 1972 - and was achieved in just 50 games. Montreal capped its amazing season with an 8-1 playoff mark.

4. 1981-82 New York Islanders

Everything came together for the Islanders in '81-'82. They put together a 15-game winning streak in the middle of the season and didn't lose consecutive regular-season games after Dec. 30. A first-round scare at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't deter New York, which went 12-2 over the final three rounds for its third straight Stanley Cup crown.

3. 1975-76 Montreal Canadiens

March 20 and 24. Those dates marked the only time all season this Canadiens team lost consecutive games - and Montreal promptly righted the ship in dominant fashion, finishing the regular season 4-0-1 before trampling the competition with 12 victories in 13 playoff games. It was the start of what would become the most dominant post-expansion dynasty in league history.

2. 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers

What's not to love about the '83-'84 Oilers? No team in history has put more pucks in net in the regular season; Edmonton's 446 tallies included a whopping 36 shorthanded tallies, including 12 from Gretzky. A seven-game slugfest in a second-round Battle of Alberta aside, the Oilers weren't given much of a test en route to their first-ever Stanley Cup crown.

1. 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens

This isn't just the most dominant team in NHL history - it's one of the most incredible single-season performances in pro sports. Montreal won its 60 games by an average margin of nearly four goals per game; only one other team even averaged that many goals per game on the year.

Add in a 12-2 playoff record, a 16-6 goal differential in a final sweep of Boston, and nine players who would go on to appear in the Hall of Fame, and there is no comparison. This is far and away the best Stanley Cup champion in the history of the league.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Patric Hornqvist was conspicuously absent as Pittsburgh Penguins training camp began Friday.

General manager Jim Rutherford revealed that the forward had a "procedure" done on his hand in the summer and is expected to join the team on the ice before the end of camp.

There's no indication as to whether the procedure was related to the broken finger Hornqvist played through during the Stanley Cup Final, an injury that didn't keep him from scoring the series-winning goal.

Hornqvist recorded 21 goals and 23 assists last season, and chipped in five goals and four assists in 19 playoff games.

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In a lot of ways, hockey players are just like us. They put their pants on one leg at a time, go to the office every morning, and occasionally profit off the hard work of others.

Across the NHL, a number of players have the distinct advantage of playing next to a guy who makes all his teammates better, and that's resulted in some big-time increases in point totals.

Here are three players to target in your draft who will continue to benefit from playing next to a star:

Patrick Maroon - Edmonton Oilers

Playing on a line with arguably the best player in the world is bound to do wonders for your offensive output. Such was the case last season for Maroon, who saw his goal and point totals skyrocket once he became a regular on Connor McDavid's wing.

In the three years prior to playing alongside McJesus, Maroon totaled less combined goals (21) than during his one year with him (27). McDavid's ability to dish the puck and create quality scoring chances allowed Maroon to develop his offensive game to the point where he's become a quality addition to any fantasy squad.

That's especially true considering he also contributes with penalty minutes, hits, and shots on goal.

Presuming Edmonton's top line of McDavid, Maroon, and Leon Draisaitl are broken up this season - with Draisaitl dropping to the second unit to fill one of the Oilers' holes up in the middle - Maroon's production may dip slightly.

But, playing next to a generational talent like McDavid still makes him a solid selection in most formats.

Anders Lee - New York Islanders

While Lee may have more natural offensive talent than Maroon, that doesn't change the fact that he's greatly benefited from playing next to New York Islanders captain John Tavares.

During the 2016-17 campaign, Lee totaled impressive offensive numbers while playing with Tavares on New York's top line, as Johnny T assisted on 34 percent of Lee's 35 goals.

The pair also clicked on the power play last season, combining for 32 points while playing on the Islanders' No. 1 unit. Factor in the offseason addition of sniper Jordan Eberle, and Lee's offensive output stands to increase even more, as Eberle's scoring touch and playmaking should open up more opportunities on the man advantage.

Regardless of Eberle's impact, Lee playing with Tavares makes him a player to target for those in need of scoring depth.

Conor Sheary - Pittsburgh Penguins

When you play on Sidney Crosby's line, you automatically become an offensive asset for any fantasy squad. And while Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel could have also made this list, Sheary is much more likely to play with Sid in 2017-18, as Guentzel could be needed at his natural position of center further down the Pens' lineup.

With that in mind, Sheary is certainly a winger you should be targeting, especially when you look at his offensive production across only 61 regular-season games last campaign.

Sheary notched 23 goals and 30 assists while playing just under 16 minutes per night. Factor in that Crosby assisted on 11 of Sheary's 23 goals, and the 25-year-old forward becomes a very intriguing late-round grab.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a lot of ways, hockey players are just like us. They put their pants on one leg at a time, go to the office every morning, and occasionally profit off the hard work of others.

Across the NHL, a number of players have the distinct advantage of playing next to a guy who makes all his teammates better, and that's resulted in some big-time increases in point totals.

Here are three players to target in your draft who will continue to benefit from playing next to a star:

Patrick Maroon - Edmonton Oilers

Playing on a line with arguably the best player in the world is bound to do wonders for your offensive output. Such was the case last season for Maroon, who saw his goal and point totals skyrocket once he became a regular on Connor McDavid's wing.

In the three years prior to playing alongside McJesus, Maroon totaled less combined goals (21) than during his one year with him (27). McDavid's ability to dish the puck and create quality scoring chances allowed Maroon to develop his offensive game to the point where he's become a quality addition to any fantasy squad.

That's especially true considering he also contributes with penalty minutes, hits, and shots on goal.

Presuming Edmonton's top line of McDavid, Maroon, and Leon Draisaitl are broken up this season - with Draisaitl dropping to the second unit to fill one of the Oilers' holes up in the middle - Maroon's production may dip slightly.

But, playing next to a generational talent like McDavid still makes him a solid selection in most formats.

Anders Lee - New York Islanders

While Lee may have more natural offensive talent than Maroon, that doesn't change the fact that he's greatly benefited from playing next to New York Islanders captain John Tavares.

During the 2016-17 campaign, Lee totaled impressive offensive numbers while playing with Tavares on New York's top line, as Johnny T assisted on 34 percent of Lee's 35 goals.

The pair also clicked on the power play last season, combining for 32 points while playing on the Islanders' No. 1 unit. Factor in the offseason addition of sniper Jordan Eberle, and Lee's offensive output stands to increase even more, as Eberle's scoring touch and playmaking should open up more opportunities on the man advantage.

Regardless of Eberle's impact, Lee playing with Tavares makes him a player to target for those in need of scoring depth.

Conor Sheary - Pittsburgh Penguins

When you play on Sidney Crosby's line, you automatically become an offensive asset for any fantasy squad. And while Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel could have also made this list, Sheary is much more likely to play with Sid in 2017-18, as Guentzel could be needed at his natural position of center further down the Pens' lineup.

With that in mind, Sheary is certainly a winger you should be targeting, especially when you look at his offensive production across only 61 regular-season games last campaign.

Sheary notched 23 goals and 30 assists while playing just under 16 minutes per night. Factor in that Crosby assisted on 11 of Sheary's 23 goals, and the 25-year-old forward becomes a very intriguing late-round grab.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Alex Ovechkin has apparently given up his quest to play at the 2018 Olympic Games.

"Our countries are now not allowed to ask us to play in the Olympics," Ovechkin conceded in a statement Thursday night. "Me, my teammates and all players who want to go all lose. So do all the fans of hockey with this decision that we are not allowed to be invited. NHL players in the Olympics (are) good for hockey and good for (the) Olympics. It sucks that (we will) not be there to play!!"

Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak said Wednesday that Ovechkin needed to accept he would not be permitted to play, and the Washington Capitals star appeared to respond directly to that remark Thursday.

"I (saw) the news this week and I am very disappointed that IOC, IIHF and NHL put me and all NHL players in this position (in which) some of the best players in world do not have chance to play in the Olympic Games," he wrote. "This is not just about me but all the NHL players who want to play and have a chance to win gold for their country."

The veteran forward, who's represented Russia many times on the international stage, lamented the fact that he'd never before been forced to choose between his NHL team and his home country.

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis supported Ovechkin's desire to play in the 2018 Olympics, and Ovechkin thanked him for that Thursday, while insisting he planned to go unless his country said he couldn't.

"I said every time I was asked since last Olympics that nobody is going to tell me I can't play because my country was going to be allowed to ask me," Ovechkin wrote. "Now the IIHF and NHL say my country is not allowed to ask anybody in the NHL to play and there is nothing to talk about anymore.

"I talk(ed) to Ted about this last year and he support(ed) me and (had) my back and understand what I want to do if I was allowed to be asked to go. Me and my family thank him for his support."

Ovechkin has long stated his intent to go to South Korea and take part in the Games even if the NHL elected not to, and the league revealed in April that it would forgo the 2018 event in Pyeongchang.

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The highly publicized contract saga between the Boston Bruins and star winger David Pastrnak came to a justifiable conclusion Thursday, as the two sides agreed to a six-year, $40-million extension that kicks in for the start of the 2017-18 season, which (thankfully) is very close to getting underway.

The negotiations threatened to linger into training camp and beyond, but general manager Don Sweeney ultimately brokered a deal that pays his youngest asset appropriately, and doesn't harm the Bruins' salary cap moving forward.

Pastrnak may have wanted more, but the contracts signed by Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Johansen this summer, which he reportedly used as comparables in negotiations, only proved there is a considerable difference between what centermen and wingers should make.

Only four players at Pastrnak's position outproduced him in 2016-17. While his new $6.67M cap hit might not match that of his elite peers as well as his production does, his reasonable price will serve as a reference point for these three players who have the potential to enter Pastrnak's echelon this season, and use it as leverage when negotiating their own deals.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Pastrnak, alongside possession wizards Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, form one of the most formidable lines in the NHL. Ehlers, meanwhile, has the opportunity to play in a trio of similar ilk in Winnipeg, suiting up with Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine.

In his second season in the league, Ehlers points-per-game average jumped considerably from 0.58 to 0.78. In other words, he bagged 64 points over 82 games in a fine 2016-17 season where he emerged as a vital playmaking piece to the Jets' potent offense.

Ehlers has one more year on his entry-level contract, and another season improving his production could put him in a position to land a contract that pays similarly to Pastrnak's.

William Nylander

Nylander and Pastrnak are longtime friends and former teammates. Soon, the 21-year-olds may be basking in the glory of similar multimillion-dollar contracts.

Through 103 career games, Nylander has averaged 0.71 points per, which matches Pastrnak's career mark, albeit in 69 fewer contests. Nylander was a central figure in the Maple Leafs' progression to a playoff team a season ago, and there's little reason to believe he can't improve upon a 61-point output.

If Nylander can eclipse 70 points or so in his final entry-level season, he'll be well on track to match Pastrnak's pay, and that should sit well with a Maple Leafs organization that will need to pay Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner soon enough.

Patrik Laine

In terms of young, pure snipers, Laine might be the only player that can beat Pastrnak at his own game.

Laine netted 36 goals in his rookie season, though there were times when it looked like he was capable of reaching 50 and beyond. Laine's situation, however is different than Ehler's and Nylander's, as he has two full seasons to play before he has to sign a new contract.

Still, Laine is technically eligible to put pen to paper next July 1, and if he continues his goal-scoring assault into year two, he could benefit from Pastrnak's pact in a completely different sense than the others, potentially using it as a low point to leverage an even more lucrative deal.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Get your popcorn ready.

Edmonton Oilers fans will have the privilege of watching a leaner and meaner Milan Lucic this coming season.

Lucic spent the offseason training with former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens. The hulking winger played at 236 pounds a season ago, and though that number hasn't drastically changed, Lucic has worked to improve his overall fitness levels.

"The weight's (roughly) the same," he told Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "But the body fat number is lower than last year."

Owens, a five-time All-Pro, hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, but has remained in peak physical condition.

"If you ask me, if it weren't for all the extracurricular stuff, he'd still be in good enough shape to play in the NFL," Lucic said of Owens, who gained a reputation as a diva throughout his potential Hall of Fame career.

Lucic's lack of foot speed was brought into question when he signed a seven-year, $42-million contract on July 1, 2016. The new offseason training regimen is certainly aimed at improving his speed on the ice.

Head coach Todd McLellan has already taken notice.

"We're expecting him to be a little quicker out there," said the Oilers bench boss. "It looks like he's leaned out a little bit. We're counting on him."

Lucic was originally brought in to play alongside Connor McDavid, the game's fastest player, but was unseeded by Patrick Maroon early on in 2016-17. He still managed to reach the 50-point mark, but only half of those points came at even strength. In his second season in Edmonton, he knows he has to be better.

"Last year coming in here, the only guy I knew was Benoit Pouliot," Lucic said. "Knowing the city, knowing the trainers, the coaching staff, the arena ... It makes it easier coming into the second season. But just like the team, I want to be better than I was last year."

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Matt Duchene probably didn't expect to be back at Avalanche training camp.

The star forward has long been involved in trade rumors, but Avalanche general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic has been unable to find an offer to his liking. It's certainly not because of lack of interest in the 26-year-old. Duchene has the capabilities of a true No. 1 center - something every team covets.

The problem is, Duchene is coming off the worst full season of his career, in which he totaled just 41 points in 77 games. He's one of the game's fastest skaters, has silky, smooth hands, and is an elite face-off man. He's been a near-point-per-game player before, and is certainly capable of doing so again.

Sakic, however, is hoping to get a return befitting of a No. 1 center, but teams are likely low-balling him with offers, due to Duchene's lackluster season and also cognizant of the fact that he no longer wants to be in Colorado.

Those calling for Sakic to simply just trade Duchene for the best offer he can get are in the wrong.

The Avalanche were a historically bad team last season, and Duchene's individual statistics suffered because of it. Though the Avs certainly won't be a playoff team this year, there's no doubting they will have an improved offense.

Fellow cornerstone players Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog also had down years and will be looking to rebound in 2017-18. Mikko Rantanen should be able to build upon a stellar rookie season, while youngsters Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher will add more speed and creativity to the offense. Additionally, Colin Wilson and Nail Yakupov were brought in to provide scoring depth.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

The point is, Duchene's trade value has hit rock bottom. It can, and will, only go up from here.

Take the case of Jonathan Drouin, for example. After his holdout, many thought it was in the Lightning's best interest to trade him right away in order to remove the "distraction." Sound familiar? Lightning GM Steve Yzerman ended up waiting over a year for Drouin's trade value to rise, and then dealt him for a potential No. 1 defenseman in Mikhail Sergachev.

Duchene won't be an unrestricted free agent until after the 2018-19 season, so Sakic isn't exactly on the clock or anything just yet.

The return Sakic receives for Duchene is an incredibly vital step in Colorado's rebuild. They are in dire need of a true No. 1 defenseman - or at least someone with the potential to be one. There's simply no point in rushing something that doesn't need to be rushed.

In the end, Duchene is in the driver's seat. If he really wants to be traded out of Colorado, he will stop sulking and play to the best of his abilities so teams will be willing to pony up and meet Sakic's trade requirements. That's his quickest ticket out of Denver.

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