The Athletic’s latest deep‑dive into NHL history has produced a provocative list: the most reviled personalities in the league’s annals. By examining decades of on‑ice confrontations, media narratives and fan sentiment, the piece identifies a single “villain” for each franchise, revealing how certain players became symbolic of rivalry, controversy and, at times, outright infamy.
Patrick Roy’s Detroit Legacy
In Detroit, the honor falls to Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. His battles with the Red Wings, especially during the late 1990s, transformed the net‑minder into a polarizing figure whose clutch performances were matched only by the intensity of his rivalry with Colorado.
Colorado’s answer is Darren McCarty, a rugged forward whose role in the 1990s rivalry culminated in a memorable revenge against Claude Lemieux. McCarty’s physical brand of play and his willingness to answer the call of retribution cemented his place as the Avalanche’s most hated antagonist.
Other names on the list illustrate the breadth of controversy that has shaped the league. Todd Bertuzzi’s infamous sucker punch on Steve Moore in 2004 ended Moore’s career and left a lasting scar on the sport’s culture. Meanwhile, forwards Mikko Rantanen and Matt Duchene sparked heated debates among fans when they departed the Avalanche under contentious circumstances.
The list also reaches beyond Colorado’s borders. Adam Foote, a former Avalanche defenseman, earned the dubious distinction of being the Columbus Blue Jackets’ biggest villain after orchestrating a trade that sent him back to Colorado despite the Blue Jackets’ playoff aspirations.
These selections underscore a broader truth: villains in hockey are not merely players who break rules; they are the individuals whose actions ignite emotions, alter careers and become part of the sport’s folklore. As The Athletic’s analysis shows, the line between antagonist and legend is often razor‑thin.