2018-19 NHLPA Player Poll Results

By: W.B. Philp | August 24, 2019

NHL players were surveyed on more than 20 hockey-related questions with more than 500 players taking part in the poll. Players weighed in on a variety of questions – covering skills, arenas, teams and a few other entertaining topics in between.

Here are this season’s #NHLPAPlayerPoll results.

SKILLS

Who is the best forward?

Mar 21, 2019; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) skates during warmup against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

63.6%

CONNOR MCDAVID

Edmonton Oilers

17.2%

SIDNEY CROSBY

Pittsburgh Penguins

4.1%

NATHAN MACKINNON

Colorado Avalanche

3.7%

NIKITA KUCHEROV

Tampa Bay Lightning

1.7%

ALEKSANDER BARKOV

Florida Panthers

Coming off back-to-back seasons receiving the Ted Lindsay Award, Connor McDavid being tabbed as the top forward is well-earned. The speed and skill that he brings to every shift makes the game uncomfortable for his opponents and entertaining for the fans.

Other 9.7%

Total Votes: 517

Who is the best defenseman?

Feb 16, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) skates with the puck during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

31.7%

VICTOR HEDMAN

Tampa Bay Lightning

20.9%

DREW DOUGHTY

Los Angeles Kings

10.6%

BRENT BURNS

San Jose Sharks

9.5%

ERIK KARLSSON

San Jose Sharks

6.1%

ROMAN JOSI

Nashville Predators

After winning his first Norris Trophy in 2017-18, Victor Hedman is recognized here as not just the best defenceman on the best team in the league this season – but the best in the entire league.

Other 21.1%

Total Votes: 473

Who is the best goalie?

Feb 25, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) plays the puck during the second period of their game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

29.9%

CAREY PRICE

Montreal Canadiens

17.3%

PEKKA RINNE

Nashville Predators

17.1%

ANDREI VASILEVSKIY

Tampa Bay Lightning

6.5%

MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

Vegas Golden Knights

4.8%

SERGEI BOBROVSKY

Columbus Blue Jackets

Carey Price long ago earned the respect of everyone in the game as one of the top goalies in the world. After missing time last season due to injury, the third netminder to ever receive the Ted Lindsay Award (2014-15) has helped the Habs outperform pre-season projections, as he recaptured his form.

Other 24.4%

Total Votes: 475

Who has the best shot?

Mar 16, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA;Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

50.2%

ALEX OVECHKIN

Washington Capitals

14.6%

SHEA WEBER

Montreal Canadiens

12.6%

PATRIK LAINE

Winnipeg Jets

8.0%

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Toronto Maple Leafs

1.9%

STEVEN STAMKOS

Tampa Bay Lightning

Having victimized many opponents with his trademark one-timer, Alex Ovechkin‘s shot is both universally feared and acknowledged as the best in the game. His elite shot has earned him a coveted spot on the all-time leaderboard for NHL power-play goals, and he’s not done ascending it yet.

Other 12.8%

Total Votes: 486

PLAYERS

Who is the most underrated player?

Mar 25, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) plays a puck along the boards during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

21.5%

ALEKSANDER BARKOV

Florida Panthers

11.4%

NICKLAS BACKSTROM

Washington Capitals

7.7%

BRAYDEN POINT

Tampa Bay Lightning

4.4%

EVGENY KUZNETSOV

Washington Capitals

4.4%

MIKKO RANTANEN

Colorado Avalanche

One of the elite talents in the game turned heads this season by scoring what might be the goal of the year – as part of his second NHL career hat trick – against the Montreal Canadiens. A couple of more goals like that and Aleksander Barkov will no longer be considered underrated.

Other 50.6%

Total Votes: 405

Who is the most difficult player to play against?

Mar 4, 2019; Buffalo, NY, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks to make a pass against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

30.9%

CONNOR MCDAVID

Edmonton Oilers

16.0%

SIDNEY CROSBY

Pittsburgh Penguins

9.2%

PATRICE BERGERON

Boston Bruins

5.0%

NATHAN MACKINNON

Colorado Avalanche

3.5%

ANZE KOPITAR

Los Angeles Kings

The NHL is made up of the best hockey players in the world, and according to them, the most difficult NHL player to line up against is Connor McDavid. Many defencemen experience sleepless nights prior to playing against McDavid.

Other 35.4%

Total Votes: 401

Which player would you select to start a franchise with?

January 26, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Pacific Division forward Connor McDavid (97) of Edmonton Oilers in the 2019 NHL All Star Game at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

60.0%

CONNOR MCDAVID

Edmonton Oilers

18.5%

SIDNEY CROSBY

Pittsburgh Penguins

4.3%

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Toronto Maple Leafs

1.7%

PATRICE BERGERON

Boston Bruins

1.4%

NATHAN MACKINNON

Colorado Avalanche

The reigning two-time Ted Lindsay Award recipient is a ‘generational talent’ and the players know that if you were starting an NHL franchise, you could do no better than choosing No. 97.

Other 14.1%

Total Votes: 417

Who is the game’s best trash-talker?

May 9, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) hands a stick over the glass after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

21.3%

BRAD MARCHAND

Boston Bruins

11.8%

DREW DOUGHTY

Los Angeles Kings

5.5%

RYAN REAVES

Vegas Golden Knights

4.8%

CLAUDE GIROUX

Philadelphia Flyers

3.3%

NICK COUSINS

Arizona Coyotes

Brad Marchand is one of the game’s best players, and while his opponents may not always appreciate the on-ice banter, they have recognized Marchand for his art of the chirp.

Other 53.3%

Total Votes: 272

Who is the game’s worst trash-talker?

Jun 6, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) controls the puck in front of St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) during the first period in game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

12.5%

BRAD MARCHAND

Boston Bruins

5.5%

ANTOINE ROUSSEL

Vancouver Canucks

5.1%

P.K. SUBBAN

Nashville Predators

4.7%

NICK COUSINS

Arizona Coyotes

3.5%

BRENDAN LEMIEUX

New York Rangers

Is it possible to be the best and worst at something? Maybe not, but despite also being named the game’s best trash talker, the players’ vote goes to show Brad Marchand’s chirps aren’t for everyone.

Other 68.8%

Total Votes: 256

Who would make the best TV analyst once they retire?

Apr 22, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) in action during the game between the Stars and the Predators in game six of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

10.8%

P.K. SUBBAN

Nashville Predators

4.1%

KEITH YANDLE

Florida Panthers

2.4%

RYAN REAVES

Vegas Golden Knights

2.0%

RON HAINSEY

Toronto Maple Leafs

2.0%

ALEX STALOCK

Minnesota Wild

With his boisterous personality, knowledge of the game, playful humour, cutting-edge fashion sense, and TV-hosting experience, it comes as no surprise that P.K. Subban tops the list in this on-air personality category.

Other 78.7%

Total Votes: 296

Who would make the best NHL GM once they retire?

Mar 21, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates the puck into the offensive zone during the first period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

5.5%

SIDNEY CROSBY

Pittsburgh Penguins

4.8%

JASON SPEZZA

Dallas Stars

4.5%

BROOKS ORPIK

Washington Capitals

3.8%

MARK SCHEIFELE

Winnipeg Jets

3.8%

DEREK STEPAN

Arizona Coyotes

Do on-ice skills translate to building a hockey team from the front office? Current NHL players clearly believe so, as Sidney Crosby tops the list here with Jason Spezza close behind.

Other 77.7%

Total Votes: 291

Who is the funniest player?

Mar 5, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (3) moves the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

12.1%

KEITH YANDLE

Florida Panthers

7.8%

DREW DOUGHTY

Los Angeles Kings

3.2%

DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN

Winnipeg Jets

2.8%

BRENT BURNS

San Jose Sharks

2.5%

DAN GIRARDI

Tampa Bay Lightning

It’s proven that the more fun you make something, the more likely you are to be successful at it. That describes 2019 NHL All-Star Keith Yandle well, as he was voted funniest player in the NHL. Night after night, Yandle is consistently one of the most energetic, witty personalities on the ice.

Other 71.6%

Total Votes: 282

Who is the best current female hockey player?

Feb 22, 2018; Gangneung, South Korea; United States forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates after scoring a goal past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) during the first period in the women’s ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

27.6%

HILARY KNIGHT

Les Canadiennes de Montreal (CWHL)

24.1%

MARIE-PHILIP POULIN

Les Canadiennes de Montreal (CWHL)

12.8%

AMANDA KESSEL

Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL)

5.9%

KENDALL COYNE SCHOFIELD

Minnesota Whitecaps (NWHL)

5.9%

EMILY PFALZER

Buffalo Beauts (NWHL)

Over the past 12-plus years, Hilary Knight of Team USA and currently Les Canadiennes de Montreal, has proven herself to be one of the most dominant and enduring forces in women’s hockey both internationally and in North America. She’s broken countless records, and with a 12-strong medal record, it’s safe to say Knight will be a lasting figure of excellence in the sport.

Other 23.6%

Total Votes: 203

Would you be in favor of a regular-season game (similar to MLB Players’ Weekend) featuring nicknames on jerseys, etc.?

66.8%

YES

33.2%

Hockey personalities are in a league all on their own, and in that spirit, the players are decidedly in favour of adding an initiative similiar to the MLB ‘Players’ Weekend’, where they could showcase their personalities, including sporting monikers on their jerseys for a regular-season game.

Total Votes: 373