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NHL Record for Most Points, Defenseman in a Career

Ray Bourque holds the NHL record with 1,579 points (1979-80 to 2000-01).

Top of the list

Most Points, Defenseman, Career: the leaders
RankPlayerPointsSeasonGPGoalsAssists
1Ray BourqueBOS,COL1,5791979-80 to 2000-011,6124101,169
2Paul CoffeyEDM,PIT,LAK,DET,PHI,HFD,CHI,CAR,BOS1,5311980-81 to 2000-011,4093961,135
3Al MacInnisCGY,STL1,2741981-82 to 2003-041,416340934
4Phil HousleyBUF,WIN,STL,CGY,NJD,WSH,CHI,TOR1,2321982-83 to 2002-031,495338894
5Larry MurphyLAK,WSH,MNS,PIT,TOR,DET1,2171980-81 to 2000-011,615288929
6Nicklas LidstromDET1,1421991-92 to 2011-121,564264878

The full top 50

Most Points, Defenseman, Career: NHL skater records
RankPlayerPointsSeasonGPGoalsAssists
1Ray BourqueBOS,COL1,5791979-80 to 2000-011,6124101,169
2Paul CoffeyEDM,PIT,LAK,DET,PHI,HFD,CHI,CAR,BOS1,5311980-81 to 2000-011,4093961,135
3Al MacInnisCGY,STL1,2741981-82 to 2003-041,416340934
4Phil HousleyBUF,WIN,STL,CGY,NJD,WSH,CHI,TOR1,2321982-83 to 2002-031,495338894
5Larry MurphyLAK,WSH,MNS,PIT,TOR,DET1,2171980-81 to 2000-011,615288929
6Nicklas LidstromDET1,1421991-92 to 2011-121,564264878
7Denis PotvinNYI1,0521973-74 to 1987-881,060310742
8Brian LeetchNYR,TOR,BOS1,0281987-88 to 2005-061,205247781
9Larry RobinsonMTL,LAK9581972-73 to 1991-921,384208750
10Brent BurnsMIN,SJS,CAR,COL · active9482003-04 to 2026-271,588273675
10Chris CheliosMTL,CHI,DET,ATL9481983-84 to 2009-101,651185763
12Erik KarlssonOTT,SJS,PIT · active9472009-10 to 2026-271,169216731
13Bobby OrrBOS,CHI9151966-67 to 1978-79657270645
14Scott StevensWSH,STL,NJD9081982-83 to 2003-041,635196712
15Brad ParkNYR,BOS,DET8961968-69 to 1984-851,113213683
16Gary SuterCGY,CHI,SJS8441985-86 to 2001-021,145203641
17Doug WilsonCHI,SJS8271977-78 to 1992-931,024237590
18Victor HedmanTBL · active8142009-10 to 2026-271,172173641
19Sergei GoncharWSH,BOS,PIT,OTT,DAL,MTL8111994-95 to 2014-151,301220591
20Kris LetangPIT · active8102006-07 to 2026-271,245178632
21John CarlsonWSH,ANA,TBL · active7892009-10 to 2026-271,167172617
22Roman JosiNSH · active7882011-12 to 2026-271,038204584
23Borje SalmingTOR,DET7871973-74 to 1989-901,148150637
24Rob BlakeLAK,COL,SJS7771989-90 to 2009-101,270240537
25Sergei ZubovNYR,PIT,DAL7711992-93 to 2008-091,068152619
26Steve DuchesneQUE,OTT,STL,PHI,LAK,DET7521986-87 to 2001-021,113227525
27Mathieu SchneiderMTL,NYI,TOR,NYR,DET,LAK,ANA,ATL,VAN,PHX7431987-88 to 2009-101,289223520
28Mark HoweHFD,PHI,DET7421979-80 to 1994-95929197545
29Scott NiedermayerNJD,ANA7401991-92 to 2009-101,263172568
30Dave BabychWIN,HFD,VAN,PHI,LAK7231980-81 to 1998-991,195142581
31Drew DoughtyLAK · active7102008-09 to 2026-271,285165545
32Chris ProngerHFD,STL,EDM,ANA,PHI6981993-94 to 2011-121,167157541
33Ryan SuterNSH,MIN,DAL,STL6962005-06 to 2024-251,526107589
34Reed LarsonDET,BOS,EDM,MNS,NYI,BUF6851976-77 to 1989-90904222463
35Zdeno CharaNYI,OTT,BOS,WSH6801997-98 to 2021-221,680209471
36Kevin HatcherWSH,DAL,PIT,NYR,CAR6771984-85 to 2000-011,157227450
37Randy CarlyleTOR,PIT,WIN6471976-77 to 1992-931,055148499
38Duncan KeithCHI,EDM6462005-06 to 2021-221,256106540
39James PatrickNYR,HFD,CGY,BUF6391983-84 to 2003-041,280149490
40Roman HamrlikTBL,EDM,NYI,CGY,MTL,WSH,NYR6381992-93 to 2012-131,395155483
41Alex PietrangeloSTL,VGK · active6372008-09 to 2024-251,087148489
41Teppo NumminenWIN,PHX,DAL,BUF6371988-89 to 2008-091,372117520
43Guy LapointeMTL,STL,BOS6221968-69 to 1983-84884171451
44Keith YandlePHX,ARI,NYR,FLA,PHI6192006-07 to 2021-221,109103516
45Ron GreschnerNYR6101974-75 to 1989-90981179431
46Dan BoyleFLA,TBL,SJS,NYR6051998-99 to 2015-161,093163442
47Garry GalleyLAK,WSH,BOS,PHI,BUF,NYI6001984-85 to 2000-011,149125475
48Shea WeberNSH,MTL5892005-06 to 2020-211,038224365
49Carol VadnaisMTL,OAK,CGS,BOS,NYR,NJD5871966-67 to 1982-831,087169418
50Jeff BrownQUE,STL,VAN,HFD,CAR,WSH,TOR5841985-86 to 1997-98747154430

Top 50 of 1,307 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 points, defenseman in a career?

Ray Bourque holds the NHL record for most points, defenseman in a career with 1,579 (1979-80 to 2000-01).

Who is the active leader for most points, defenseman in a career?

Brent Burns is the highest active player on the list at 948, rank 10 all time.