Despite his 35 years, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby has not let up and continues to dominate the National Hockey League (NHL). As such, he was again voted “Most Complete Player” in the annual Players Association poll.
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Of the 591 athletes polled by the union, 30.1% of respondents chose Crosby. This put the “Pens” representative ahead of Quebecer Patrice Bergeron (18.8%).
“Sid the Kid” has always won popular favor in this category since its inclusion in the 2019-2020 questionnaire. However, he had to share his 2020-2021 title with Bergeron as the two skaters received 23.8% of the vote each.
Also note that Crosby’s name appears in the following category:
“Which striker will have the most impact in a game you absolutely must win?”
The Penguins captain received 11% of the vote, finishing second to one Connor McDavid (59.3%).
The famous number 87 is still averaging more than a point per game, as he has 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 games.
The end of an era
The 2022-2023 Players Association poll results also remind us that the Carey Price era is finally over.
Since the introduction of this routine in 2017-2018, the name of the Montreal Canadiens goaltender has always been mentioned. This year he is absent from the election for the first time. Price hasn’t played a game this season and shouldn’t play in the NHL again, never really recovering from a serious knee injury.
In the early years of the poll, Price won the Best Goalkeeper award in 2017-18 (41%), 2018-19 (29.9%) and 2019-20 (41.6%). His star had faded somewhat in 2020-2021 as he had placed third (8.2%) in that category.
Last year the union changed its goalkeeper question and instead asked its members which goalkeeper they would like to see on their team in a game they absolutely must win.
Price was second overall (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 vote. This time he was ahead of his compatriot Igor Shesterkin (4.8%). Quebec’s Marc-André Fleury (4%) was third.
Keep Makar far ahead
Among other results from the NHL Players’ Association poll, Cale Makar’s impressive vote as the league’s top defenseman stood out.
The Colorado Avalanche Guard received 63.9% of the vote, well ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Victor Hedman (11.4%).
It is easy to understand that Makar’s colleagues chose him in such large numbers. The Calgary native has scored 241 points in 233 regular-season games since his 2018-19 Bettman League debut. He also had 60 points in 55 playoff games. His trophy cabinet already includes a Calder, a Conn-Smythe and a James-Norris.
New York Rangers forward Patrick Kane (46.1%) relegated Connor McDavid (28.7%) as the best puck handler according to his peers.
McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl (25%) was named the NHL’s best passer. Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (23%) ranks as the most underrated player, while Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski (21.4%) has more leeway when approaching goal.
Finally, Boston Bruins nuisance Brad Marchand (36.5%) can boast of being the least pleasant player his opponents would like to see on their team.