NHLPA Poll: Again and Again Sidney Crosby

BETTING À DAY

Despite turning 35, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby isn't slowing down and continues to dominate in the National Hockey League (NHL). As a result, he was once again selected as the “Most Complete Player” in the Players Association's annual survey.

Of the 591 athletes surveyed by the union, 30, 1% of respondents chose Crosby. The representative of the “Pens” was thus ahead of Quebecer Patrice Bergeron (18.8%).

“Sid the kid” has always won popular favor in this category since it was inserted into the questionnaire in 2019-2020. However, he had to share his title with Bergeron in 2020-2021, since the two skaters each obtained 23.8% of the vote.

Note also that Crosby's name appears in the following category:

“In a game you absolutely have to win, which forward will have the most impact?”

The Penguins captain amassed 11% of the votes, finishing second behind a certain Connor McDavid (59.3%).

The famous number 87 still averages more than a point per game, as he has done throughout his successful career. So far in 2022-23, he has hit the target 29 times and provided 54 assists for 83 points in 70 outings.

The end of an era

The results of the Players Association survey in 2022-2023 are also a reminder that the Carey Price era is well and truly over.

Since the introduction of this exercise in 2017-2018, the name of the goalkeeper of the Montreal Canadiens has always been mentioned. This year, he is absent from the ballot for the first time. Price hasn't played a game this season and is unlikely to play in the NHL again, having never really recovered from a serious knee injury.

In the early years of the survey, Price won the title of best goaltender in 2017-2018 (41%), 2018-2019 (29.9%) and 2019-2020 (41.6%). His star had faded a little in 2020-2021, since he had taken third place (8.2%) in this category.

Last year, the union changed its question about goalkeepers and instead asked its members which goalkeeper they would like to see on their team in a game they absolutely have to win.

Price got second (14%), behind masked Tampa Bay Lightning man Andrei Vasilevskiy (37.4%). The Russian triumphed again in 2022-2023, with an overwhelming majority of 52.3% of the votes. This time he was ahead of his compatriot Igor Shesterkin (4.8%). Quebecer Marc-André Fleury (4%) finished third.

Cale Makar far ahead

Among the other results of the NHL Players' Association poll, the imposing vote in favor of Cale Makar as the league's best defenseman holds the attention.

The Colorado Avalanche guard received 63.9% of the vote, far ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Victor Hedman (11.4%).

It is easy to understand Makar's peers to have selected him in such large numbers. Since making his Bettman league debut in 2018-19, the Calgary native has tallied 241 points in 233 regular-season games. He also had 60 points in 55 playoff games. His trophy cabinet already includes a Calder, a Conn-Smythe and a James-Norris.

As for the best puck handler according to his counterparts, New York Rangers forward Patrick Kane ( 46.1%) edged out Connor McDavid (28.7%).

McDavid's Edmonton Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl (25%) earned the title of top passer in the NHL. Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (23%) is considered the most underrated player, while Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski (21.4%) is the more play when he approaches the net.

Finally, the plague of the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand (36.5%) can boast of being the least pleasant player to face, but that his opponents would like to see in their team.