Edgehalla

NHL Record for Most Games Played in a Career

Patrick Marleau holds the NHL record with 1,779 gp (1997-98 to 2020-21).

Top of the list

Most Games Played, Career: the leaders
RankPlayerGPSeasonGoalsAssistsPoints
1Patrick MarleauSJS,TOR,PIT1,7791997-98 to 2020-215666311,197
2Gordie HoweDET,HFD1,7671946-47 to 1979-808011,0491,850
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,7561979-80 to 2003-046941,1931,887
4Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY1,7331990-91 to 2017-187661,1551,921
5Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,7311981-82 to 2003-045491,2491,798
6Joe ThorntonBOS,SJS,TOR,FLA1,7141997-98 to 2021-224301,1091,539

The full top 50

Most Games Played, Career: NHL skater records
RankPlayerGPSeasonGoalsAssistsPoints
1Patrick MarleauSJS,TOR,PIT1,7791997-98 to 2020-215666311,197
2Gordie HoweDET,HFD1,7671946-47 to 1979-808011,0491,850
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,7561979-80 to 2003-046941,1931,887
4Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY1,7331990-91 to 2017-187661,1551,921
5Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,7311981-82 to 2003-045491,2491,798
6Joe ThorntonBOS,SJS,TOR,FLA1,7141997-98 to 2021-224301,1091,539
7Zdeno CharaNYI,OTT,BOS,WSH1,6801997-98 to 2021-22209471680
8Mark RecchiPIT,PHI,MTL,CAR,ATL,TBL,BOS1,6521988-89 to 2010-115779561,533
9Chris CheliosMTL,CHI,DET,ATL1,6511983-84 to 2009-10185763948
10Dave AndreychukBUF,TOR,NJD,COL,BOS,TBL1,6391982-83 to 2005-066406981,338
11Scott StevensWSH,STL,NJD1,6351982-83 to 2003-04196712908
12Larry MurphyLAK,WSH,MNS,PIT,TOR,DET1,6151980-81 to 2000-012889291,217
13Ray BourqueBOS,COL1,6121979-80 to 2000-014101,1691,579
14Brent BurnsMIN,SJS,CAR,COL · active1,5882003-04 to 2026-27273675948
15Alex OvechkinWSH · active1,5812005-06 to 2026-279307611,691
16Nicklas LidstromDET1,5641991-92 to 2011-122648781,142
17Jarome IginlaCGY,PIT,BOS,COL,LAK1,5541996-97 to 2016-176256751,300
18Alex DelvecchioDET1,5501950-51 to 1973-744568251,281
19Johnny BucykDET,BOS1,5401955-56 to 1977-785568131,369
19Shane DoanWIN,PHX,ARI1,5401995-96 to 2016-17402570972
21Ryan SuterNSH,MIN,DAL,STL1,5262005-06 to 2024-25107589696
22Brendan ShanahanNJD,STL,HFD,DET,NYR1,5241987-88 to 2008-096566981,354
23Anze KopitarLAK1,5212006-07 to 2025-264528641,316
24Matt CullenANA,FLA,CAR,NYR,OTT,MIN,NSH,PIT1,5161997-98 to 2018-19266465731
25Steve YzermanDET1,5141983-84 to 2005-066921,0631,755
26Mike ModanoMNS,DAL,DET1,4991989-90 to 2010-115618131,374
27Phil HousleyBUF,WIN,STL,CGY,NJD,WSH,CHI,TOR1,4951982-83 to 2002-033388941,232
28Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR1,4871979-80 to 1998-998941,9632,857
29Rod Brind'AmourSTL,PHI,CAR1,4841989-90 to 2009-104527321,184
30Doug GilmourSTL,CGY,TOR,NJD,CHI,BUF,MTL1,4741983-84 to 2002-034509641,414
31Corey PerryANA,DAL,MTL,TBL,EDM,CHI,LAK · active1,4692005-06 to 2026-27465507972
32Glen WesleyBOS,HFD,CAR,TOR1,4571987-88 to 2007-08128409537
33Teemu SelanneWIN,ANA,SJS,COL1,4511992-93 to 2013-146847731,457
34Tim HortonTOR,NYR,PIT,BUF1,4451949-50 to 1973-74115403518
35Mike GartnerWSH,MNS,NYR,TOR,PHX1,4321979-80 to 1997-987086271,335
36Scott MellanbyPHI,EDM,FLA,STL,ATL1,4311985-86 to 2006-07364476840
36Luc RobitailleLAK,PIT,NYR,DET1,4311986-87 to 2005-066687261,394
38Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,4302005-06 to 2026-276571,1101,767
39Pat VerbeekNJD,HFD,NYR,DAL,DET1,4241982-83 to 2001-025225401,062
40Luke RichardsonTOR,EDM,PHI,CBJ,TBL,OTT1,4171987-88 to 2008-0935166201
41Al MacInnisCGY,STL1,4161981-82 to 2003-043409341,274
42Harry HowellNYR,OAK,CGS,LAK1,4111952-53 to 1972-7394324418
43Norm UllmanDET,TOR1,4101955-56 to 1974-754907391,229
44Paul CoffeyEDM,PIT,LAK,DET,HFD,PHI,CHI,CAR,BOS1,4091980-81 to 2000-013961,1351,531
44Jordan StaalPIT,CAR · active1,4092006-07 to 2026-27318429747
46Dale HunterQUE,WSH,COL1,4071980-81 to 1998-993236971,020
47Stan MikitaCHI1,3961958-59 to 1979-805419261,467
48Roman HamrlikTBL,EDM,NYI,CGY,MTL,WSH,NYR1,3951992-93 to 2012-13155483638
49Doug MohnsBOS,CHI,MNS,AFM,WSH1,3911953-54 to 1974-75248462710
50Larry RobinsonMTL,LAK1,3841972-73 to 1991-92208750958

Top 50 of 976 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

  • All NHL records

    Every official record list by category

  • Milestones

    Who could hit a milestone tonight, and who is close

  • Streaks

    Active point and goal streaks and droughts, with the luck behind them

  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

  • Gordie Howe hat tricks

    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

  • Game highs

    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

  • Rookies

    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

  • Awards

    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most games played in a career?

Patrick Marleau holds the NHL record for most games played in a career with 1,779 (1997-98 to 2020-21).

Who is the active leader for most games played in a career?

Brent Burns is the highest active player on the list at 1,588, rank 14 all time.