Hockey is a sport built on passion, pride, and the occasional punch to the face. When players or teams feel slighted—fairly or not—they don’t just forget. They stew, they retaliate, and sometimes they hold onto those feelings long after the final horn.
Whether it’s playoff heartbreak, dirty hits, or just pure ego, the NHL has produced some of the most legendary grudges in sports history. These are the beefs that never quite cooled off—some are personal, some are franchise-wide, and all of them are unforgettable.
13. Brad Marchand vs. Everyone
Brad Marchand has made a career out of being a world-class pest, and a long list of players absolutely cannot stand him. From slew-foots to cheap shots to unexpected licks, Marchand lives rent-free in a lot of heads.
12. Claude Lemieux vs. Kris Draper
One dirty hit in the 1996 playoffs turned this into one of hockey’s most infamous rivalries. Draper’s broken face lit a fire in the Red Wings that burned for years—and Lemieux never really apologized.
11. Shea Weber vs. Henrik Zetterberg
Weber slamming Zetterberg’s head into the glass during the playoffs was one of those moments that sparked instant outrage. Even after fines and time passed, Wings fans never really let that one go.
10. Sidney Crosby vs. P.K. Subban
This one simmered under the surface but boiled over during the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The two exchanged chirps, subtle jabs, and the occasional whiff of mouthwash-gate, making it clear there was no love lost.
9. Martin Brodeur vs. Sean Avery
Avery’s antics in front of Brodeur, especially during the 2008 playoffs, turned into one of the most ridiculous feuds in NHL history. Brodeur refused to shake his hand, and Avery dubbed him “fatso” just to twist the knife.
8. Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks
The 2011 Stanley Cup Final left scars that still haven’t healed in Vancouver. The bad blood from that series spilled over into future regular-season games and ignited coast-to-coast hostility.
7. Matthew Tkachuk vs. Drew Doughty
Doughty called Tkachuk “not respected” around the league, and Tkachuk responded by trying to fight him every time they shared the ice. The back-and-forth chirping turned this into a can’t-miss rivalry.
6. Patrick Roy vs. Jeremy Roenick
Roy once famously said he couldn’t hear Roenick’s trash talk because he had “two Stanley Cup rings plugging his ears.” That mic-drop moment cemented their beef in NHL lore.
5. Penguins vs. Flyers
This isn’t just a rivalry—it’s a grudge-fueled war that reignites every time these teams face off. From brawls to taunts to playoff heartbreak, the hatred is mutual and evergreen.
4. Zdeno Chara vs. Max Pacioretty
Chara’s crushing hit that sent Pacioretty into a stanchion sparked outrage, police involvement, and long-standing bitterness. Even years later, the incident still stirs up emotion among fans and players alike.
Read more: 15 Pettiest Player Rivalries in NFL History
3. Alex Ovechkin vs. Evgeni Malkin (Kinda)
Despite being fellow Russians and MVP-caliber players, Ovi and Geno have had stretches of tension and silence that felt downright icy. There’s been reconciliation, but that cold spell was very real.
Read more: Ranking The 20 Greatest Rivalries in Pro Sports History
2. Chris Pronger vs. Everyone He Played Against
Pronger was one of the best defensemen of his era—but also one of the most hated. He left behind a trail of bruised egos (and actual injuries), and plenty of players never forgave him.
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1. Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
The mother of all NHL grudges, this one was personal, bloody, and epic. From full-on brawls to playoff classics, the Wings and Avs defined 90s hockey hatred—and that animosity still lingers.
