The Last Players Not to Wear Visors in the NHL
Ryan O'Reilly
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
When Ryan Getzlaf, Joe Thornton, Brian Boyle, and Zdeno Chara did not return to the ice for the 2022-23 season, it made the magic number eight.
That’s the number of current NHL players still competing without a visor. Beginning in 2013-14, under NHL Rule 9.7, “all players who have fewer than 25 games of NHL experience must wear a visor properly affixed to their helmet.” Almost a decade later, the number of NHL players competing without a visor continues to dwindle. Looking at the remaining eight players, a day will soon come when every player in the NHL is visored.
Until 1979, helmets were not mandatory in the NHL. After the mandate that all new players entering the league would be mandated to wear helmets, it took almost two decades for the final players to either put on a helmet or, in most cases, retire. The final eight helmetless NHL players included the likes of Guy Lafleur, Doug Wilson, Rod Langway, Randy Carlyle, Brad Marsh, and finally, Craig MacTavish. By the 1993-94 season, MacTavish was the lone helmetless NHL player, a moniker he’d hold until his retirement in 1997.
The impact of visors in the NHL has been studied. A 2021 scholarly article published in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology found that following the widespread adoption of visors in the NHL, “there was a strong decrease in the number of eye injuries” in the league.
Who will be the final visorless NHL player? Let’s take a look at the eight players who remain in the league without visors.
Ryan O’Reilly, 32, Toronto Maple Leafs
Arguably the best player remaining without a visor, O’Reilly is a former winner of the Conn Smythe, Selke, and Lady Byng awards. It’s an impressive resumé for the former St. Louis Blues captain, who will crack the 1,000-game mark early next season after topping 700 points this year. At 32 years old, barring a significant injury, O’Reilly has the potential to be the final visorless player to step on the ice in NHL history.
Jamie Benn, 33, Dallas Stars
Whether it’s O’Reilly or Jamie Benn, it’s almost certain one of these two players will be the last standing visorless player. Benn is a former Art Ross Trophy-winner and a first-team NHL all-star. He’s under contract until 2024-25, and the longtime Dallas Stars captain hasn’t slowed down his production. In fact, this season, Benn has his best totals since the 2017-18 season, scoring 33 goals and 78 points while playing the full 82-game season. In 2017, Benn had his nose broken by a high stick from Washington Capitals Dmitry Orlov. Benn temporarily donned facial protection before shedding it for his normal visorless appearance.
Jordie Benn, 35, Toronto Maple Leafs
The second Benn brother on this list, Jordie may have already played his final game in the NHL. After being signed to a league minimum contract this season by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 12-year NHL veteran defender spent the bulk of his season playing in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. It was the first time in a decade Benn had set foot in the AHL. Soon, Benn’s NHL departure will drop this list to seven.
Zack Kassian, 32, Arizona Coyotes
If Arizona wasn’t holding onto bad contracts like a vintage hockey card collector, Kassian’s NHL career could have ended this year. He finished the season with two points in 51 games. Given Arizona’s penchant for using their cap space as a salary dump location, they might not buy out the final year of Kassian’s contract like any other NHL franchise might. He’s signed through next season.
Zach Bogosian, 32, Tampa Bay Lightning
When healthy, Bogosian provides veteran depth on Tampa Bay’s blueline. The problem throughout Bogosian’s career, however, is that he’s rarely been healthy for an entire season. Bogosian has not managed more than 48 regular-season games in a campaign since he played 65 for the Buffalo Sabres in 2018-19. It’s not unfathomable to see Bogosian hold on signing bargain contracts for another year or two, but it’s unlikely he outlasts Benn and O’Reilly.
Matt Martin, 33, New York Islanders
A wrecking ball on skates, Matt Martin has led the NHL in hits five times in his career. He must not lead with his face because the New York Islanders forward has remained surprisingly durable throughout his career, including playing 81 games and recording 19 points this season. He’s not done yet, as Martin remains under contract through next season. At that point, the Islanders will have a tough decision to make with the fan favorite.
Milan Lucic, 34, Calgary Flames
The Flames organization may do a dance this off-season as they watch Lucic’s $5.25 million come off the books. Long gone are Lucic’s days with the Boston Bruins, but it’s not unforeseeable that a team will take a shot on Lucic as a fourth-liner next year at the league minimum. His style and mobility will be limiting for any team looking to sign him. It’s hard to “see” a visorless Lucic lasting much longer in the NHL.
Ryan Reaves, 36, Minnesota Wild
Reaves was given a new lease, even if it’s briefly, on the NHL when the Minnesota Wild took him on from the New York Rangers this season. Reaves himself endured a skate to the face in 2018 while practising with the Vegas Golden Knights, but he stayed true to his visorless ways. He added a physical, depth presence in Minnesota this season. But at 36 years old, this could be close to the end of the road for Reaves in the NHL, and a drop in the list of free-faced forwards in the NHL.
Who will be the last-standing NHL player without a visor in the NHL, becoming the visor version of Craig MacTavish? It’s almost a certainty the number will drop from eight following the Stanley Cup playoffs. The safe bet would be Jamie Benn or Ryan O’Reilly, but only time will tell.
