Top 10 Goalies in NHL History: The Legendary Martin Brodeur and His Pursuers

While much attention is given to the most unbreakable records in sports, one that deserves more recognition is Martin Brodeur's 691 career wins, the most by a goalie in NHL history. With today's NHL teams resting their goalies more frequently, it's unlikely any modern goaltender will come close to Brodeur’s record. Let's dive into the top 10 goalies in NHL history and see where Brodeur stands in comparison to others.

1. Martin Brodeur – 691 wins
Brodeur holds the record for most wins by an NHL goalie. He also has the most shutouts (125) and games played (1,266). During his 22-year career, Brodeur won three Stanley Cups and four Vezina Trophies, earning a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

2. Marc-Andre Fleury – 575 wins
The only active goalie in the top 15 for career wins, Fleury has suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild. With three Stanley Cups and a Vezina Trophy to his name, Fleury will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

3. Patrick Roy – 551 wins
Roy, a Hall of Famer, was the winningest goalie when he retired in 2003. He won four Stanley Cups and three Vezina Trophies. Roy still holds the record for the most playoff wins (151) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

4. Roberto Luongo – 489 wins
Luongo had a 19-year career, playing for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and New York Islanders. He is the second-most games played (1,044) and second-most saves (28,409) in NHL history, behind only Brodeur. Luongo was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022.

5. Ed Belfour – 484 wins
Belfour won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and earned two Vezina Trophies. He played for six teams during his career and was a six-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

6. Henrik Lundqvist – 459 wins
Lundqvist spent his entire 20-year career with the New York Rangers, with seven straight 30-win seasons to start his career. A Vezina Trophy winner in 2012, Lundqvist was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.

7. Curtis Joseph – 454 wins
Joseph, known as "Cujo," had an excellent career despite being undrafted. He played for six NHL teams and became the first goalie in league history to post a 30-win season with five different teams. He was a three-time All-Star but never played in a Stanley Cup Final.

8. Terry Sawchuk – 445 wins
Sawchuk played for 21 seasons, winning four Stanley Cups and the Vezina Trophy four times. He was the first goalie to reach 100 career shutouts and still holds the second-most shutouts in NHL history. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.

9. Jacques Plante – 437 wins
A six-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens, Plante was also known for creating and popularizing the goalie mask. He won seven Vezina Trophies and the 1962 Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP. Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

10. Tony Esposito – 423 wins
Esposito played 17 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Blackhawks, and was a three-time Vezina Trophy winner. In 1970, he set a modern NHL record with 15 shutouts in a single season. Esposito was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.