NHL’s current longest-serving captains

In the National Hockey League (NHL), several players have held the captaincy of their respective teams for extended periods of time, serving as long-serving captains. Some of these players include Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jamie Benn.

Alex Ovechkin has been the captain of the Washington Capitals for the past 15 seasons, during which he helped the team win their only Stanley Cup title in 2018. If he continues as captain, he will be one season away from tying Steve Yzerman as the longest-serving captain (19 seasons) in NHL history.

Sidney Crosby has been the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins for 17 seasons and is expected to continue serving in this role. If he remains with the team and continues as their leader, he will be one season away from tying Steve Yzerman as the longest-serving captain (19 seasons) in NHL history. Crosby is also on track to play his 1,300th game, score his 600th goal, and collect his 1,600th point during the 2024-25 season. At age 37, he has not indicated any intention of retiring, so finishing as a top-five scorer is not out of the question.

Jamie Benn has been the captain of the Dallas Stars for over a decade, and while he trails Hall of Famer Mike Modano in every significant category, his leadership and longevity have made him an integral part of the team's history.