In every sport, there are players who seem to skate that fine line between legend and villain. In the NHL, some stars have earned passionate support from their fanbase while becoming public enemy number one to just about everyone else.
Whether it was their relentless physicality, cocky celebrations, or that one too many chirp after the whistle, these guys had a way of getting under people’s skin. But to the folks cheering them on from the home crowd? They were nothing short of heroes.
23. Brad Marchand
Bruins fans adore him for his grit and game-winning moments. Everyone else just remembers the licking, the elbows, and the chaos.
22. Matthew Tkachuk
If he’s on your team, he’s a fearless warrior. If he’s not, he’s the guy who always seems one shove away from a five-minute major.
21. Sean Avery
Rangers fans backed him like he was a rock star. Opposing teams and refs? Not so much, thanks to his endless antics and trash talk.
20. Claude Lemieux
A playoff legend to some and a cheap-shot artist to others. Lemieux always played with an edge, and sometimes went right over it.
19. Tom Wilson
Capitals fans see him as a physical force with skill to back it up. The rest of the league sees a suspension waiting to happen.
18. Chris Pronger
Blues and Ducks fans saw a dominant defenseman who anchored the back end. Everyone else saw a guy who always seemed to “accidentally” cross the line.
17. Tie Domi
Beloved in Toronto for standing up to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Hated pretty much everywhere else for doing exactly that.
16. Corey Perry
When he’s on your side, he’s clutch and pesky in all the right ways. When he’s not, you just want him off the ice and out of your face.
15. Jeremy Roenick
Roenick’s personality made him a media darling to some and a little too much to others. Fans loved his honesty; critics found him a bit much.
14. Esa Tikkanen
Oilers fans cheered his two-way play and chirping skills. Opponents couldn’t stand the nonstop yapping—and that’s putting it nicely.
13. Jarkko Ruutu
Ruutu played the agitator role like he was born for it. His team saw him as a pest with a purpose; others just saw a pest.
12. Dale Hunter
Capitals faithful admired his toughness and leadership. Everyone else remembers one of the dirtiest hits in playoff history.
11. Patrick Kane
A generational talent in Chicago who brought three Cups to the city. Off the ice and in rival cities, his legacy is a little more complicated.
10. Ron Hextall
Flyers fans loved his fire, even when he was dropping the gloves. But goalies fighting forwards? Yeah, that rubbed a few people the wrong way.
9. Gary Suter
A steady presence on the blue line for his teams. But some of his hits left a lasting impression—and not in a good way—for fans of opposing players.
8. Brendan Shanahan
Wings and Devils fans loved him for big goals, big hits, and leadership. Opposing fans saw him as a punishing force who never backed down from a scrap—and often dished out hits that sparked controversy.
7. Ken Linseman
They didn’t call him “The Rat” for nothing. Flyers fans appreciated the agitating ways, while the rest of the league wanted him gone.
6. Marty McSorley
Wayne Gretzky’s enforcer was a fan favorite in Edmonton and LA. But that infamous stick swing? Yeah, not a good look.
5. Milan Lucic
A beast on the boards and a fan favorite for his physical dominance. But he’s had a few… let’s call them “run-ins” that made other teams loathe him.
4. P.K. Subban
An electric personality and playmaker adored by Montreal and Nashville fans. Outside of that? Let’s just say the opinions were mixed.
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3. Ulf Samuelsson
Penguins fans loved his fearless approach. Opponents still wince thinking about his knee-on-knee hits.
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2. Zdeno Chara
Boston fans admired his sheer size and leadership. But his brutal hits and towering presence weren’t exactly loved across the league.
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1. Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh fans will defend him to the end of time. But to a large chunk of hockey fans, he’s the ultimate love-him-or-hate-him superstar.
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