The NHL Players’ Association released its annual player’s poll Wednesday, revealing the results 639 players provided in answering 15 questions.
Here are some of the key answers the players provided:
If you need to win one game, who is the forward you want on your team?
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (48.71%)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (11.58%)
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche (6.59%)
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning (5.31%)
Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers (2.57%)
Analysis: It’s no surprise seeing McDavid, Crosby and MacKinnon at the top of this list, as all three centers are dominant performers who deliver in the clutch. What was somewhat of a surprise, though, was the snubbing of Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. This is not to suggest Kucherov and Panarin aren’t worthy of their spot in this category, but certainly, there are many people – players, fans and media – who wouldn’t complain about having Matthews on their side. But with 303 votes, McDavid deserves to be the winner here.
Receiving nearly half of the votes in this #NHLPAPlayerPoll category, @cmcdavid97 clearly has the trust of his peers as the players picked the @EdmontonOilers captain the forward they most want on their side the with one game on the line. pic.twitter.com/jmUp25rsVE
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024
If you need to win one game, who is the goalie you want on your team?
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay (46.92%)
Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers (6.49%)
Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders (6.17%)
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets (5.03%)
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators (4.87%)
Analysis: This is the third straight season Vasilevskiy has won this question. The Lightning’s star goaltender missed time due to injury, and he’s got a 30-18-2 record, a .901 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average. Those numbers are down from his career totals (.917 SP, 2.56 GAA), but there’s no netminder in the league who has accomplished what Vasilevskiy has in his career. Players across the league clearly respect him for it. It was surprising, however, to see Hellebuyck not get more votes. He’s got a .920 SP and 2.42 GAA this season for the Jets with four shutouts and a 35-19-4 record, but players seem to have more trust in the netminders above him to come big in a game when needed most.
Sidney Crosby continues to be recognized as the most well-rounded player on the ice – the @Penguins captain has won or tied atop the #NHLPAPlayerPoll most complete player category for five straight seasons! pic.twitter.com/EjX9MS5QQT
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024
Who is the most complete player?
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (38.37%)
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers (14.60%)
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings (8.15%)
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (7.81%)
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche (6.62%)
Analysis: Despite being 36 years old, Crosby was named the game’s most complete competitor for the fifth consecutive season. In 78 games this season, Crosby has generated 40 goals and 86 points with a 58.5 faceoff win percentage, keeping the Penguins in the Stanley Cup playoff race. Crosby has nothing to prove to anyone, and while he may no longer be in his prime, it’s obvious he’s still a difference-maker at the highest level. Perennial Selke Trophy candidates landed elsewhere in this answer. Panthers elite two-way center Barkov came in a distant second to Crosby, while Kings captain Kopitar finished third. Two MVP candidates, Edmonton’s McDavid and Colorado’s MacKinnon, rounded out the voting.
Which player is the most difficult player to face in their own end?
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning (20.32%)
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (9.48%)
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes (7.90%)
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings (6.09%)
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (4.97%)
Analysis: Hedman had an off-year last season, but this year, he’s been terrific. The votes in this category reflect that. There’s a mix of forwards (McDavid, Kopitar) and blueliners (Slavin, Makar) rounding out the player voting here, and it’s clear why – they not only can provide offense, but they take care of their own end and make life extremely difficult for the opposition. At 33 years old, Hedman has averaged 24:48 of ice time – no small feat for any player, let alone someone with the miles on the odometer that Hedman has. He’s still effective, still dangerous and still a major part of the Bolts’ attack.
Which arena is the toughest to play in as a visiting team?
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (31.36%)
PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C. (16.31%)
TD Garden, Boston (15.59%)
Ball Arena, Colorado (7.89%)
Bell Centre, Montreal (4.66%)
Analysis: You wouldn’t call Vegas or Carolina a traditional hockey market, but because of their rabid fan bases, the Golden Knights and Hurricanes have the most intimidating rinks players travel to. With Vegas and Carolina taking up about 48 percent of the players’ votes, the other buildings that received respect from players were the Bruins’ TD Garden, the Avalanche’s Ball Arena and the Canadiens’ Bell Centre.
T-Mobile Arena found itself on a couple of @NHLPA player poll lists. Read which lists the #VegasBorn arena was on, on @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/eEBlJufj6h
— Julian Gaudio (@juliangaudio89) April 10, 2024
Which player has the best style?
David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins (15.02%)
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs (12.17%)
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (10.46%)
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning (2.47%)
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils (2.47%)
Look good, feel good, play good.@pastrnak96 pulls up to the rink playing as good as he looks and enough of his peers agree that the @NHLBruins forward’s distinct style on and off the ice is worthy of #NHLPAPlayerPoll bragging rights! pic.twitter.com/SrRIoHLtDW
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024
Analysis: More than 140 players received a vote in this category, but Bruins elite winger Pastrnak came out on top with 79. A pair of Maple Leafs – winger Nylander and center Matthews – finished second and third respectively, while Tampa’s Kucherov and New Jersey’s Hughes finished tied for fourth spot. Style is a subjective category, but it’s hard to argue with the choices here. All the players mentioned have proudly represented their team in their choice of clothing, and they’re clearly garnering appreciation from their peers for it.
More Reaction from The Hockey News Team Sites
Quinn Hughes Makes Multiple Appearances On The 2024 NHLPA Player Poll#Canucks@TheHockeyNews https://t.co/T3ViVRxuMl
— Adam Kierszenblat (@Adamkblat) April 10, 2024
Connor Hellebuyck, Canada Life Centre Appear in NHLPA Player Poll @TheHockeyNews @TheHockeyNewsWJ @SInow @CanadaLifeCtr #NHLJets https://t.co/XeBEkUkRT0
— The Hockey News: Winnipeg (@TheHockeyNewsWJ) April 10, 2024
– Devils’ Jack Hughes Receives Praise In Latest NHLPA Player Poll
– Penguins Star Voted NHL’s Most Complete Player
News Summary:
- NHLPA Player Poll Reaction: Oilers' McDavid and Penguins' Crosby Get Love, But Was Leafs' Matthews Snubbed?
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.