Sidney Crosby was voted the most complete player in the NHL, according to a National Hockey League Players’ Association poll that surveyed nearly 600 players before the 2019-20 season paused on March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain received 45.56 percent of the vote, a wide margin over Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (25.44), who came in second. Crosby has 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 41 games this season, and his 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) since he returned from core muscle surgery on Jan. 14 are tied for fifth in the NHL.
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (7.50) and St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly (5.33) rounded out the top four.
Crosby’s track record — which includes two Hart Trophy awards as NHL most valuable player (2007, 2014) and three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017) — also made him the top choice as player among any position you’d most want if you needed to win one game. Crosby received 44.03 percent of the vote, ahead of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (30.53).
McDavid, however, dominated the category for best forward for the second consecutive season, receiving 68.35 percent of the vote. The Oilers captain has 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists), second in the League behind teammate Leon Draisaitl (110 points; 43 goals, 67 assists). McDavid was also fourth in players past or present one would pay to see play (7.80 percent), behind Wayne Gretzky (31.83), Bobby Orr (14.99) and Mario Lemieux (9.24).
Although John Carlson of the Washington Capitals is considered a top contender for the Norris Trophy, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning was selected as best defenseman for the second straight season, receiving 37.88 percent of the vote compared to 21.35 for Carlson.
Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens (41.55 percent) also became a repeat winner after being voted as best goalie over Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning (17.09).
Marie-Philip Poulin (39.92 percent) edged Hilary Knight (36.29) as the best female hockey player in the world. The forward is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner for Canada (2010, 2014), scoring the game-winning goal against the United States in each championship game.
