Who Will Be the Last NHL Player to Ice Without a Visor?

Ryan Reaves concluded his NHL career not only as one of the league’s premier enforcers but also as one of its final holdouts without a visor. With his retirement announced on Sept. 16, only three active skaters remain who continue to play without the protective gear: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian, and Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly.

The NHL introduced a mandatory visor rule in 2013-14, which applied to any player who hadn’t already appeared in 25 career games by that deadline. Since then, numerous veterans—including notable names like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Mika Zibanejad, and J.T. Miller—have had opportunities to join this exclusive group but chose not to.

While it’s theoretically possible for other eligible players to remove their visors, the reality is that Benn, Bogosian, and O’Reilly are likely to remain the final trio. All three are entering the final year of their respective contracts, adding intrigue to their future trajectories.

Although it seems unlikely that all three will retire after the 2026-27 season, we can attempt to predict who among them will be the last to hang up their visor-free helmet. Ranked from least likely to most likely:

3. Zach Bogosian, D, Minnesota Wild

In recent years, Bogosian has struggled with consistency. Over the past seven seasons, he has only reached the 50-game threshold twice. Last season, he logged 17:53 of ice time across 65 games, but that usage declined to just 14:33 per game in 41 contests during the 2025-26 campaign. His physical play—once a hallmark of his game—is showing signs of decline, with both his hitting and shot-blocking rates dipping below career norms.

His role on the penalty kill has diminished as well. With Olli Maatta expected to take over Jake Middleton’s duties on special teams following the offseason trade with Calgary, Bogosian now serves primarily as a depth option. While capable of stepping up if needed, he’s ideally suited for a third-pairing role where he can contribute in a limited capacity.

At 36 years old, Bogosian may have one more season left in him, either with Minnesota or elsewhere. However, with young talent like 23-year-old David Spacek emerging in the AHL—and potentially ready for promotion as early as next season—his window for continued NHL action appears narrow.

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2. Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars

When comparing Benn and Bogosian, age plays a role—Benn is 37, making him slightly older. Despite averaging less ice time than Bogosian last season (13:17), Benn still holds a strategic advantage: his leadership as Dallas’ longstanding captain and his veteran presence on the roster. Last year, he ranked seventh among Stars forwards in scoring with 36 points in 60 games.

However, questions linger about his effectiveness. A scoreless, minus-7 performance during Dallas’ first-round exit against the Wild raises concerns about his declining impact. Additionally, rising prospect Emil Jarventie might pressure his position moving forward, especially if the organization looks toward rebuilding around younger talent.

Still, Benn has shown durability throughout his career, missing significant time only once in 17 seasons. Given the Stars’ reliance on experienced players and several veterans on expiring deals—including Joel Kiviranta and Colin Blackwell—there’s reason to believe he could extend his tenure beyond this season.

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1. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators

Unlike Benn and Bogosian, there’s little doubt regarding O’Reilly’s ability to continue playing at a high level. At 35, he remains the youngest of the three remaining visor-less skaters—and more crucially, he continues to produce. Last season, he tallied 74 points in 81 games, placing him second only behind Artemi Panarin among players born in 1991 or earlier. Even Sidney Crosby barely edged him out statistically (74 points in 68 games).

The Predators boast promising young centers in Matthew Wood and Mavrik Bourque, while prospect Brady Martin could potentially secure a top-six role this year. That said, unless Nashville decides to move O’Reilly before the trade deadline or allows him to leave via free agency, he’s expected to anchor the lineup through at least the next couple of seasons.

With no indications of slowing down—and arguably improving with age—Ryan O’Reilly stands as the strongest candidate to carry the title of the NHL’s last skater to play without a visor.

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